Description
While it wasn't indeed a Subaru, the 2008 Justy marked the Japanese carmaker introduction to the European market's small segment.
Subaru was well-known for its all-wheel-drive vehicles and its boxer engines. That's why, when it introduced the Justy at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show, the audience raised their eyebrows, wondering if they are watching there was a re-badged vehicle or an unusual Subie. The answer was both. Unfortunately for the carmaker, it was the wrong moment to introduce a completely different car than its philosophy. It was a rebadged Daihatsu Charade and shared its platform with the second generation of the Yaris, so farewell to all-wheel-drive Subaru Justy.
Its front side featured a curved area over the engine bay and a raked, wide windshield. Its headlights covered the front corners, in front of the flared wheel arches. The bumper itself was the one that told the world it was a Subaru. It was extended toward the hood and incorporated the upper and the lower grille. The designers abruptly ended the straight window line with an upward kick to the roof. Its thick C-pillars blocked the view toward the minimalist trunk and, from inside, the driver's view to the rear side.
Inside, the Justy featured a dashboard carried over from Daihatsu Charade with its elliptic instrument cluster that grouped a wide tachometer and an even bigger speedometer. Despite its exterior look, the interior was roomy for four adults, but the narrow width hardly made room for three rear passengers.
Under the hood, there was no boxer engine. The bay was filled by Daihatsu's inline-three gasoline unit and sent the front wheels' power via a 5-speed manual.
Press Release
Fuji Heavy Industries Introduces the New Subaru Justy in Europe
Frankfurt, September 11, 2007 – Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (FHI), the maker of Subaru automobiles, announced that it will unveil its new Subaru Justy at the 62nd Frankfurt International Motor Show (IAA) and it will go on sale in Europe immediately following the Frankfurt Motor Show.
The new Justy is positioned as an entry-level car in Subaru’s lineup. While offering nimble maneuverability and cabin roominess, the new Justy boasts exceptional fuel economy and low emission levels, thanks to the compact 1.0-litre engine. Two versions will be available in the European market: the sporty 1.0S, and the practical city-driving 1.0E. Both versions are front-wheel drive with 5MT. The new Justy will be supplied by Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd., under an original equipment manufacturing (OEM) agreement with FHI.
Major Features of the New Justy
• Overall length 3,610mm, Overall width 1,665mm, Overall height 1,550mm
• 1.0-litre DOHC 12-valve inline 3-cylinder gasoline engine Max. output (DIN): 51 kW / 6,000 rpm Max. torque (DIN): 94 Nm / 3,600 rpm
• Front-wheel drive with 5MT
• 155/80R13 Tires with full wheel caps (1.0E) 175/65R14 Tires with aluminum alloy wheels (1.0S)
• SRS* front airbags and front side airbags (for driver and front passenger)
• SRS* curtain airbags (front and rear, both sides) (1.0S)
• Body colored electric door mirrors
• Chrome accented gearshift knob (1.0S)
• Manual seat lifter (driver’s seat only) (1.0S)
• ABS with EBD (Electronic brake force distribution)
* SRS: Supplemental Restraint System. Effective when used in conjunction with seatbelts.
About Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd.
Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (FHI), the maker of Subaru automobiles, is a leading manufacturer in Japan with a long history of technological innovations that dates back to its origin as an aircraft company. While the automotive business is a main business pillar, FHI’s Aerospace, Industrial Products and Eco Technologies divisions offer a diverse range of products from general-purpose engines, power generators, and sanitation trucks to small airplanes, crucial components for passenger aircrafts, and wind-powered electricity generating systems. Recognized internationally for its AWD (all-wheel drive) technology and Horizontally-Opposed engines in Subaru, FHI is also spearheading the development of environmentally friendly products and is committed to contributing to global environmental preservation.
SUBARU INTRODUCES CONGESTION CHARGE-BUSTING SUPERMINI
Totally new five-door 1.0 litre Justy supermini
Outstandingly good fuel economy at 64.2 mpg Extra Urban
Outstandingly low emissions at 118 g/km
Should be London Congestion Charge-free
Outstandingly low running costs including ÂŁ35 per year RFL
Standard five-year/60,000 mile warranty
Outstandingly high equipment such as ABS with EBD, air-conditioning, driver, passenger, side and four curtain airbags, alloy wheels, rev-counter, fuel-economy read-out, radio/CD player with auxiliary input socket, rear parking sensors, ISOFIX child-seat mountings, four electric windows and remote central-locking with alarm
Justy 1.0 R on sale now at only ÂŁ8,495 on-the-road
Subaru’s new Justy supermini is now on sale, offering outstanding fuel economy, equipment and space plus ultra-low exhaust emissions which should make it exempt from the proposed new London Congestion Charge.
In fact, with a 64.2 mpg Extra Urban figure, ultra-low 118 g/km exhaust emissions and annual ÂŁ35 Road Fund Licence, the new Justy 1.0 R promises to be one of the cheapest petrol-engined cars to run on UK roads.
However, the five-door body offers interior space from the next class up while the efficient, 69 PS three-cylinder 1.0 litre engine offers sufficient power for long-distance driving. Top speed, for example, is almost 100 mph and the 0-60 mph time is 13.5 seconds.
The new Subaru Justy also carries a peace-of-mind five-year/60,000 mile warranty backed by five-years’ UK and European roadside assistance.
Standard equipment is outstanding for a small car and includes: ABS with EBD, driver, passenger, side and front and rear curtain airbags, alloy wheels, air-conditioning, radio/CD player, rev-counter, fuel-economy read-out, four electric windows, reversing sensors, remote central-locking with alarm and ISOFIX child-seat mountings.
The front-wheel drive Justy is based on the Japanese-built Daihatsu Sirion. It is supplied thanks to an arrangement with Toyota which has a share in both Subaru and Daihatsu.
Subaru’s version will be limited to only 6,000 units per year throughout the whole of Europe and 1,000 sales in the UK, ensuring strong residuals.
Strong Customer Loyalty
Lawrence Good, Subaru (UK) Limited Managing Director said: “Everyone is very enthusiastic about the new Justy as it is will appeal to environmentally-conscious motorists and those seeking ultra-low running costs.
“Subaru dealers enjoy strong customer loyalty and the new Justy gives them a much-needed entry-level car to sell to both existing customers and new prospects.”
The new Subaru Justy carries a five-year/60,000 mile mechanical warranty and five-years’ UK and European roadside assistance.
It also has a 12-year anti-perforation warranty and its Group 5D insurance rating is also highly-competitive.
Spacious Interior
The new Subaru Justy has a particularly spacious five-seat interior clothed in a stylish body with an exceptionally low 0.31 Cd drag coefficient which improves fuel economy and high-speed touring and refinement.
Its wide-opening doors and 590 mm seat height allow easy entry and exit – especially appreciated by older customers. The rear doors, for example, open to 80 degrees. Luggage space measures 225 litres with the rear seat up and 630 litres (VDA) when folded, making it a practical small family car. Its turning circle is an especially tight 9.4 metres.
Well-Proven Powertrain
The punchy 1.0 litre twin-overhead camshaft petrol engine – mated to a manual five-speed gearbox is not only extremely economical and low-polluting but also well-proven.
In fact, the same three-cylinder engine not only sees service in the Daihatsu Sirion but also in the Toyota Yaris and Aygo, Citroën C1 and Peugeot 107.
Producing 69.3 PS at 6,000 rpm and 69.3 lb ft of torque at 3,600 rpm, the 12-valve unit offers some of the highest outputs for its class.
And the variable valve-timing enhances both low-speed pulling power and high-rev responsiveness.
Top speed is a highly competitive 99.4 mph with a 0-60 mph time of 13.5 seconds. Meanwhile fuel economy figures are class-challenging at 46.3/64.2 and 56.5 mpg on the Urban/Extra Urban and Combined Cycles.
In addition, the CO2 emissions are among the lowest available in a petrol-engined car at 118 g/km.
This puts the Justy in Band B for Road Fund Licence at only ÂŁ35 per year and should result in it being London Congestion Charge-free when proposed new changes take place in 2008.
European-Tuned Chassis
The new Subaru Justy benefits from a European-tuned chassis which has long suspension-travel for a smooth ride. Unusually, anti-roll bars are fitted at the front and rear which combine with firm damping to aid agility.
The front suspension is via MacPherson struts and the rear is equally conventional featuring a torsion bar with separate coil springs. Its power steering is via an electric system which helps fuel economy but has been tuned for more feel than provided by some competitors.
Safety-wise, the new Justy’s multiple airbags are complemented by an advanced braking system featuring not only anti-lock ventilated front discs and rear drums (ABS) but also Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD). This optimises the braking force according to the weight distribution of passengers and luggage.
