Body style: Hatchback
Segment: Mini
Production years: 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991
The kei-car segment was huge in the Japanese market, and Subaru was a big player in that. But for other countries, it built a version of its Rex/Mini Jumbo with bigger engines.
A kei-car had to obey a specific set of rules, including size and engine displacement. That evolved into a car-culture almost unknown in other countries. But the same vehicles were suitable for heavy traffic use and minimal parking spaces. For those markets, Subaru built similar cars, but with engines that exceeded the kei-car book. In 1988, it launched the Mini Jumbo for the export market, and it was a success.
Apart from one or two vehicles, Subaru didn't design award-winning cars. Like a cube on tiny wheels, the Rex, or Mini Jumbo, was just a wedged-shaped vehicle. Its angular look inspired a cheap production process, with fewer stamps than most other cars from the market. But the cubist design, with a raked hood and straight side panels, made it look like a box on wheels with rectangular headlights. Its three-door version was a good choice since it allowed easier access for the front occupants.
The interior continued the straight-lines design theme from the outside. Subaru installed eight buttons for various functions on the instrument cluster's sides, such as the lights or the rear window defroster. At least, the horn was in the center of the steering wheel. The Rex/Mini Jumbo could fit up to four people inside but with limited rear passengers' legroom.
Subaru offered the Rex/Mini Jumbo with a two or four-cylinder engine. That's right: two cylinders for the base version. Later on, a supercharged version was introduced on the market. The carmaker offered the small vehicle with either a front- or all-wheel-drive system.
ENGINE SPECS - 0.7L 4MT FWD (37 HP) | |
---|---|
Cylinders: | L2 |
Displacement: | 665 cm3 |
Power: | 27 KW @ 6000 RPM 37 HP @ 6000 RPM 36 BHP @ 6000 RPM |
Torque: | 40 lb-ft @ 3000 RPM 54 Nm @ 3000 RPM |
Fuel System: | Carburetor |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
---|---|
Top Speed: | 80.77 mph (130 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 20.7 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
---|---|
Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
---|---|
Front: | Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
---|---|
Tire Size: | 145/70SR12 |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 126 in (3200 mm) |
Width: | 55.1 in (1400 mm) |
Height: | 55.9 in (1420 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 48/48 in (1,219/1,219 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 90.5 in (2299 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 7.1 cuFT (201 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
---|---|
Unladen Weight: | 1261 lbs (572 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 2226.7 lbs (1010 kg) |
ENGINE SPECS - 0.8L 5MT FWD (42 HP) | |
---|---|
Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 758 cm3 |
Power: | 31 KW @ 6000 RPM 42 HP @ 6000 RPM 42 BHP @ 6000 RPM |
Torque: | 44 lb-ft @ 3600 RPM 59 Nm @ 3600 RPM |
Fuel System: | Carburetor |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
---|---|
Top Speed: | 84.5 mph (136 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 17 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
---|---|
Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
---|---|
Front: | Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
---|---|
Tire Size: | 145/70SR12 |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 126 in (3200 mm) |
Width: | 55.1 in (1400 mm) |
Height: | 55.9 in (1420 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 48/48 in (1,219/1,219 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 90.5 in (2299 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 7.1 cuFT (201 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
---|---|
Unladen Weight: | 1377.9 lbs (625 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 2226.7 lbs (1010 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
---|---|
Combined: | 41.3 mpg US (5.7 L/100Km) |