Exceptionally attractive
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ALTHOUGH MUCH of the demand for pick-up trucks is centred around the construction and agricultural industry, Fuji Heavy Industries of Tokyo has given its Subaru four-wheeldrive pick-up a face lift and hopes that it will also appeal to the ever-growing leisure and sporting market.
The pick-up's smooth frontend styling, adopted from its current saloon car series, is enhanced by the sloping roof support panels which help to disguise the business end of the vehicle.
The load carrying compartment has been extended to give 1.92sqm (20.67sqft) although the wheel arches intrude into the load area and reduce the usable body width to 0.96m (3.15ft).
Some compensation for this is gained through being able to extend the length of the body floor by means of a very sturdy 0.4m(1.3ft)-high tail gate, which drops to provide a robust loading platform only 37 3mm (14.7in) above ground level with the vehicle laden.
Among the major improvements over the previous model is that the maximum payload has been increased by 40 per cent to 560kg (11cwvt). When this is taken into account with its high or low ratio four-wheeldrive capability, the pick-up's appeal to farmers and agriculturelinked tradesmen will surely be enhanced.
On matters of styling, the individual seats are adequately upholstered and covered in an attractive vinyl. The contoured back-rests are extended to provide head restraints but give only slight lumbar support.
Space behind the seats is limited, but with an average-size driver and with the seat base adjusted to the mid-way position, there is room enough for a large briefcase or medium-size holdall behind each seat.
Driving vision is excellent, and is as extensive as it is in most modern cars. When looking through the rear window, however the curved shape of the roof's rear support panel is obstructive.
Instruments and controls blend in with the pleasing trim ol the cab. Lighting and windscreen-wiper controls are on strange horn-like extensions, which rise from the base of the instrument panel to each side ol the steering wheel, but are well positioned and operate with firm precision.
The facia has a quartz clod and a rather unusual graphi( monitor which shows the plar outline of a conventional car (no! a pick-up) and indicates E number of conditions which may exist, such as a choke cable pulled out, park brake applied, main beam switched on, loin brake fluid level, four-wheeldrive engaged in low ratio anc either door not closed securely.
Hazard warning indicator lights and rear fog indicator light are also featured on the display.
Subaru's latest heating and ventilation system provides E considerable range of temperature control and directional flow.
Redesigned headlights, whicl are now rectangular, give a ver clear beam spread, and thi direction indicator system ha: very useful side repeaters fine( at the front quarters to enabli them to be seen by vehicle: approaching from side-on.
Aerodynamic styling of thi body front gives a good air flow over the bonnet and roof. Sidi windows get the benefit of th air draught, sufficient to blow rain water to the rear of th: window, which helps the drive to see through the rear view mur ror more clearly.
The power unit, an aluminiun horizontally opposed four-cylin der liquid-cooled engine, re turned fuel consumption figure of 1 0.5 6 litres per 1 0 Okn 26.74mpg) on two-star petrol vhen fully laden over our new, ght vehicle test route. Unladen, hese figures improved to 8.54 tres/100km (33.09mpg).
Acceleration lacked a positive esponse between 35 to 45 mpg fourth gear, which affected its lerformance on the Reigate hill. The steering at all times eemed light but very positive vith just a slight tendency to Iversteer. On motorways it was ffected by the quite heavy sidefinds at speeds of over 88 km/h 55mph), but not to any alarming legree.
In the unladen condition the ;ubaru's foot brakes were very asponsive and great care had to
taken to prevent skidding. lowever, test results when fully Iden were much less startling. 'eak retardation figures from 20 3 30mph were lower than exected from the Subaru's servossisted braking system, but its verall stopping distances were cceptable. The brakes on the -ont axle always locked up first nd the vehicle pulled up in a traight line on each brake test.
Its park brake, which acts on le front brakes, held the vehicle uspended on the one in three radiant facing both up and own hill. A hill-start was acomplished in front-wheel drive
• a little fussily. However, the ubaru failed to take off on the ne in three. But in four-wheel rive and low ratio, despite ome load slippage it clawed its lay off the steepest gradient. The engine compartment iyout is marred by the spare 'heel accommodated beneath le bonnet. It is an obvious place ) store the spare, as the low, at-four engine takes up less )om than a vertical in-line enme, but a small, slightly built river might struggle to remove Daily routine maintenance resents few problems and allough its maintenance-free batory is a welcome addition, the 2-volt 60Ah battery's large terlinal connectors would be safer Pith plastic covers.
;Urilrrlary The Subaru's attractive styling nd its cross-country ability lake it an exceptional pick-up uck, and although priced at 4,500 (excluding vat) it will inerest tradesmen and )ortsmen.