In this column, we pick up old materials and documents from the archives in order to give a taste of the atmosphere and conditions of the past. Here, from the 54th*edition (issued in September 1969) of the “Subaru” magazine, we introduced part of the column entitled “Tell me! Q&A How did the Subaru R-2 challenge mini limits?” This column was used to introduced the R-2, which was launched as the “sister car” of the Subaru 360. Also, please enjoy the pictures taken from the R-2 catalog at that time.

How did the Subaru R-2 challenge mini limits?

The sister car to the Subaru 360, which has come to be driven all over Japan and loved by all, has finally arrived! It has been launched under the name “Subaru R-2.” In the following pages, we take a close look at the new Subaru R-2 focusing on the future shape of the mini sedan.*

?Mini*Sedan*for a New Age

Q:*We drivers, too, were in agreement in predicting that this was the year in which the Subaru 360 would undergo model change. We hotly debated what the new car would be like, and now the new Subaru has finally made its appearance.*

A:*Looking back, it is 11 years since the Subaru 360 was launched in 1958. For it to come so far without undergoing any model change has undoubtedly been a major achievement in the history of Japanese auto making.

Q:*Does this reflect the fact that the Subaru 360 possessed uniqueness ahead of its time?*



A:*You beat me to it. Exactly as you say, it is fair to say that Subaru paved the way for the history of light (kei) cars in Japan. I am secretly proud that the Subaru design philosophy, which pursues practical performance ahead of appearance and constantly incorporates new technical innovations towards that end, has played an extremely large role in the development of motorization in Japan.*

Q:*Is that linked to the description of the Subaru R-2 as a “mini sedan for the new age?”

A:*You are perceptive today. It should first be understood that designing a new car is fundamentally different from making improvements to a pre-existing vehicle. Taking the example of a light (kei) car, various models including the Subaru 360 are competing within the legally prescribed constraints of 3 meters length and 1.3 meters width. However, it is no good to simply assume that you can just adopt all the good features of existing cars. In that sense, while being a light car, the Subaru R-2 should rather be viewed as a “mini sedan” that further expands the conventional concept of the light car. Maybe that’s a little hard to understand.*

Q:*I see. But I also appreciate that the stance towards developing new cars has remained constant from the time of the Subaru 360 12 years ago through to the Subaru ff-1 and the new R-2.*

A:*A certain auto magazine rates the Subaru R-2 as a “mini sedan” equipped with the ability to challenge popular vehicles in the 1000 cc class.* *


(The above contents were excerpted from “Subaru Vol. 54.” To be continued next week.)



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