Body style: Hatchback
Segment: Mini
Production years: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
Built for the kei-car market in Japan, the 2003 R2 was named after the R-2 model built in the late '60s early '70s by Subaru.
The kei-car market was essential for any Japanese carmaker. After all, it was their home ground, and it wanted to be recognized as a significant producer. For that reason, Subaru hired the Greek designer Andreas Zapintas to make a small vehicle fit for that segment. It wasn't an easy job to make room for four adult passengers inside a car and keep the compulsory class's exterior size.
It looked like an egg with wheels in the corners and slim, tall headlights. Its front grille resembled the same wing-theme as the Subaru Tribeca, but after the 2006 facelift, that was replaced by a black grille with a chromed horizontal slat. The mini-MPV look, with rounded corners, or no corners at all. Basically, right after the front wheel-arches, there was the opening for the front doors, and the rear doors sported a cut for the rear wheel-arches. Zapintas integrated the taillights high on the d-pillars, so they were protected against the shopping-carts bumps.
Inside, the R2 offered enough room for adult-sized passengers, but not over average height. The Japanese minimalist style was noticeable on the flat, curved dashboard that sported a small extension for the center stack's gear-selector. Since the car's trunk was tiny, the designer installed deep pockets on the passenger's side, in under the dashboard.
Under the hood, Subaru installed an inline-four engine that complied with the kei-cars regulations. It was available with or without a supercharger, and it was mated to either a five-speed manual or to a CVT.
ENGINE SPECS - 0.7L 16V 5MT FWD (53 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 658 cm3 |
Power: | 39 KW @ 6400 RPM 53 HP @ 6400 RPM 52 BHP @ 6400 RPM |
Torque: | 46 lb-ft @ 4400 RPM 62 Nm @ 4400 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 155/65 R14 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 133.7 in (3396 mm) |
Width: | 58.1 in (1476 mm) |
Height: | 59.8 in (1519 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 51/50.6 in (1,295/1,285 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 92.9 in (2360 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.1 in (130 mm) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 1720 lbs (780 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 2205 lbs (1000 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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Combined: | 53.5 mpg US (4.4 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 104.7 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 0.7L 16V Turbo CVT FWD (63 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 658 cm3 |
Power: | 47 KW @ 6000 RPM 64 HP @ 6000 RPM 63 BHP @ 6000 RPM |
Torque: | 76 lb-ft @ 3200 RPM 103 Nm @ 3200 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | CVT |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 155/60 R15 |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 133.7 in (3396 mm) |
Width: | 58.1 in (1476 mm) |
Height: | 59.8 in (1519 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 51/50.6 in (1,295/1,285 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 92.9 in (2360 mm) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 1830 lbs (830 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 2315.2 lbs (1050 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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Combined: | 44.4 mpg US (5.3 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 126.1 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 0.7L 8V 5MT FWD (45 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 658 cm3 |
Power: | 33 KW @ 6000 RPM 45 HP @ 6000 RPM 44 BHP @ 6000 RPM |
Torque: | 43 lb-ft @ 5200 RPM 58 Nm @ 5200 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
---|---|
Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
---|---|
Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
---|---|
Tire Size: | 155/65 R14 |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 133.7 in (3396 mm) |
Width: | 58.1 in (1476 mm) |
Height: | 59.8 in (1519 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 51/50.6 in (1,295/1,285 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 92.9 in (2360 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.1 in (130 mm) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 1698 lbs (770 kg) |