Subaru (スバル) ( or ; Japanese pronunciation: [sɯbaɾɯ]) is the automobile manufacturing division of Japanese transportation conglomerate Subaru Corporation (formerly known as Fuji Heavy Industries), the twenty- second largest automaker by production worldwide in 2012.
Subaru cars are known for their use of a boxerengine layout in most vehicles above 1500 cc. Most Subaru models have used the Symmetrical All Wheel Drive drive- train layout since 1972. The flat/ boxerengine and all- wheel -drive became standard equipment for mid-size and smaller cars in most international markets by 1996, and is now standard in most North American market Subaru vehicles. The lone exception is the BRZ, introduced in 2012, which uses the boxerengine but instead uses a rear- wheel -drive structure. Subaru also offers turbocharged versions of their passenger cars, such as the Impreza WRX and the Legacy 2.5GT. The 2.0XT trim of the Forester also includes a turbocharged engine, only is it not found in the BRZ, and most other non sport models.
In Western markets, the Subaru brand has traditionally been popular among a dedicated core of buyers. Marketing is targeted towards specific niches centered on those who desire the company 's signature drive train engine, all- wheel /rough- road capabilities or affordable sports car markets.
