Subaru Justy

Since 1984, Subaru has marketed the Justy, a subcompact hatchback, either manufacturing the vehicle itself or marketing a rebadged version by others. The company introduced the latest iteration, a rebadged Daihatsu Sirion (2nd generation), at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show[1] with a 1 litre straight-3 engine, front wheel drive, and 5-speed manual gearbox.

Originally designed and manufactured in Japan, the Justy was introduced to Japan in 1984. United States and United Kingdom versions followed in 1987 and all models received a restyling in 1989.

In the United States, only the Japanese manufactured models were sold and only from 1987 to 1994. The Justy received 4WD in 1988 and all models were equipped with Fuel Injection in 1991. The Subaru Justy was the last carburated car sold in the United Kingdom as well as the United States[citation needed]. A four-door model was also available from 1991 to 1994. A 1995 model was offered in Canada.

Rebadged models from other manufacturers

After 1994, rebadged models from other manufactureres carried the Justy nameplate:

• In 1994, Subaru introduced to the Europe a rebadged second generation Suzuki Cultus carrying the Justy nameplate. Manufactured in Suzuki's Hungarian plant, these were available in 3 and 5 door models with available four wheel drive.
• In 2004, a rebadged Chevrolet Cruze carried the G3X Justy nameplate in Europe.
• In MY 2008 a rebadged Daihatsu Sirion revived the Justy nameplate.

Subaru models carrying other nameplates

In some countries the Justy was sold under the name Subaru Trendy or just as the 'J-series', J10 for 1.0L versions and J12 for 1.2L versions.

In Taiwan, Subaru marketed a version of the Justy with a sedan-style body and an uprated 80bhp (60kW) fuel injected EF12 engine called the Tutto.

Drivetrain

Initially, the Justy was equipped with a 1.0 or 1.2 liter EF three-cylinder engine and either a manual transmission or a continuously variable transmission with either front wheel drive or on-demand four wheel drive. The CVT technology (a pushbelt system) was employed because with a conventional automatic transmission, performance would have been unacceptable, due to the small 3-cylinder engine. In the United States, because of the long distances, the CVT was considered unreliable, but this has not been the case in other countries.