Subaru Pleo

Subaru Pleo
Overview
Manufacturer Subaru (1998–2010)
Daihatsu (2010–present)
Also called Daihatsu Mira
Production 1998–present
Body and chassis
Class Kei car
Body style 5-door microvan (1998–2010)
3-door hatchback (2010–present)
Related Subaru Stella
Subaru R2
Subaru R1
Subaru Lucra
Powertrain
Engine 658cc EN07 I4
Transmission 5-speed manual
i-CVT
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2,310 mm (90.9 in)
Length 3,395 mm (133.7 in)
Width 1,475 mm (58.1 in)
Height 1,550–1,625 mm (61.0–64.0 in)
Chronology
Predecessor Subaru Vivio

The Subaru Pleo is a kei car made by the Japanese automaker Subaru since 1998.

The Pleo is taller than conventional kei car hatchbacks, but shorter than the definitive microvan, the Suzuki Wagon R, and is available with a variety of 658 cc I4 engines: SOHC, DOHC, and supercharged in two different trim levels. It competes with the Honda Life, Daihatsu Move, and the Mitsubishi Toppo in the tall wagon segment of kei cars in Japan.

The name "pleo" is Latin meaning "to fill" or "to fulfill."

First generation – RA1/RA2/RV1/RV2 (1998-2009)

The first-generation Pleo first went on sale in Japan on October 9, 1998, replacing the Vivio, when Japanese regulations dictated a size change in the kei car tax bracket, and every kei car model from every make was redesigned as a result. The commercial for the Pleo’s launch featured a hip hop remix for the aria Un bel dì vedremo from the opera Madama Butterfly by Italian composer Giacomo Puccini as its background music.[1]

In June 1999, Subaru launched a luxurious edition of the Pleo, called the Nesta. In October, a sporty edition was launched, called the LS. In December, an Le edition was launched.

In May 2000, Subaru launched a G Edition of the Pleo Nesta. In October, the first facelifted edition was launched. In December, a retro-styled edition called the Niccoto was launched.

In May 2001, a more upgraded sporty version of the Pleo was launched, called the RS. This model is sometimes called the RM. In October, a second facelifted edition was launched.

In January 2002, the L Plus Package and F Special editions were both launched. In May, three four-wheel drive editions, the RS Limited II, the LS Limited and the F Limited, were launched to commemorate Subaru 4WD's fortieth anniversary. In October, a third facelifted edition was launched.

In May 2003, four editions of the Pleo, the FS Limited, the FS Special, the L Special and the Nesta GS Special, were launched. In June, the RS Limited and LS Limited were both facelifted. Meanwhile, a new edition of the Pleo, the L Special Color Selection, was launched. The R2, was introduced on December 8. After 2003, the Pleo was sold alongside the R2.

In June 2007, the F model was discontinued. The discontinuation left the Van A model as the only trim level.

In December 2009, the Pleo was discontinued.

Second generation - L275F/L285F/L275B/L285B (2010-2018)

Subaru Pleo
Overview
Manufacturer Daihatsu
Also called Daihatsu Mira
Production 2010–2018
Body and chassis
Class Kei car
Body style 3-door hatchback
Related Daihatsu Mira
Subaru Lucra

The second-generation Pleo first went on sale in Japan on April 20, 2010. Due to Subaru's corporate investment by Toyota, this second generation is manufactured by Daihatsu instead of Subaru, and is a rebadged Daihatsu Mira.[2]

References

  1. ↑ "Pleo". YouTube. 20 March 2007. Retrieved 16 March 2018.
  2. ↑ Gardiner, Justin (2008-04-16). "Subaru to stop making Kei Cars". Autoblog. Retrieved 2010-10-04.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.