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Subaru Introduces Dramatic New ST-X Concept Vehicle        

7 January 2000

Subaru Introduces Dramatic New ST-X Concept Vehicle; Sedan/Pickup Crossover Vehicle Features Unique Extendable Bed        

    LOS ANGELES, Jan. 6 -- Subaru of America Inc. today unveiled
the ST-X, a concept for a new type of crossover vehicle that blends the
versatility of a four-door pickup truck with the performance and comfort of a
sport sedan.  A design that hints at Baja racers and classic dune buggies
meshes perfectly with the "California Dreamin' 2000" theme for the Los Angeles
Auto Show, where Subaru introduced the vehicle.
    (Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000106/LATH070-a
             http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000106/LATH070-b )
    Designed by Subaru of America in the United States, the four-passenger
ST-X concept is based on the successful new-for-2000 Legacy/Outback platform
and shares the 104.4-inch wheelbase of those models.  The vehicle could appeal
to consumers -- especially younger car and truck shoppers -- who want the
versatility of a four-door pickup truck, but would prefer the driving dynamics
of a car.
    A Subaru of America idea called the Switchback seat (patent-pending) can
extend the 55.5-inch cargo bed length forward to 76.0 inches.  With all the
side and rear glass lowered and the huge power fabric sunroof opened, the ST-X
provides nearly the open-air feel of a convertible.
    With the Subaru Switchback seat, the power-retractable rear window glass
lowers completely into the rear seatback.  The rear headrests, which pivot
down from the roof, fold up and out of the way.  The seat cushion folds up and
forward, its bottom forming the new rear wall of the cargo bed.
    The seatback then folds down to form a flat cargo floor.  The bottoms of
the seat cushion and seatback feature the same durable, easy-to-wash Sherwin-
Williams Zolatone(R) finish as the bed.
    A 230-horsepower supercharged/intercooled version of the Outback 2.5-liter
"boxer" engine gives the ST-X impressive on-road performance.  Full-time All-
Wheel Drive, a dual-range 5-speed transmission and 8.5 inches of ground
clearance give the ST-X true off-road capability.
    Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes specially blended the ST-X Solar
Flare orange paint, which is complemented by Moondust silver lower body
cladding.

    Bed features include:
    -- brackets to carry mountain bikes;
    -- slots to carry 4' x 8' sheets of plywood above the wheelhouses;
    -- a large under-bed storage compartment with cupholders;
    -- two additional rear storage compartments;
    -- eight cargo tie-down bars;
    -- two 12-volt outlets, and
    -- a 110-volt inverter.

    Inside, the ST-X features black/orange leather trim with an "aboriginal"
finish on the console and armrest, plus a combination gauge pack with satin-
chrome look trim.  The airbag-equipped Momo steering wheel provides a sporty
touch one might find in a sports car.
    McIntosh Audio, known for its high-end home system components, customized
a 650-Watt, 7-speaker CD sound system for the ST-X.

    Additional functional and sporty features include:
    -- 17" x 7" Enkei alloy wheels;
    -- 225/55 R17 Yokohama AVS S/T tires;
    -- large foglights with stone guards;
    -- pencil-beam driving lights;
    -- roof-mounted PIAA off-road lights;
    -- step rails, and
    -- a roof rack.

    A special Subaru of America team designed and developed the ST-X with
technical support from Subaru in Japan, and Specialized Vehicles, Inc. (SVI)
of Troy, Michigan built the ST-X concept.  The ST-X Team worked with SVI to
develop the vehicle over the Internet, cutting development and construction
time by about three months.  Engineers and designers used a secure Web site to
collaborate on ideas and construction methods.
    The team also used a live Internet video linkup with SVI, which could
place any member of the New Jersey-based ST-X Team right inside the vehicle,
even though it was 600 miles away in Michigan.
    Subaru of America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy
Industries Ltd. of Japan.  Headquartered near Philadelphia, the company
markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts and accessories through a
network of nearly 600 franchised dealers across the United States.

    CONTACT:  Alex Fedorak for Subaru of America Inc., 856-488-8615