Subaru Leone

Subaru Leone
Overview
Manufacturer	Subaru (Fuji Heavy Industries)
Production	1971–1994
Assembly	Yajima Plant, Ōta, Gunma, Japan
Body and chassis
Class	Compact
Chronology
Predecessor	Subaru 1000
Successor	Subaru Impreza

The Subaru Leone is a compact car produced by the Japanese car manufacturer Subaru from 1971 to 1994.^[1] The word leone is Italian for lion.^[2]

It was released as a replacement for the Subaru 1000 and was the predecessor of the Subaru Impreza. All Leones were powered by the Subaru EA boxer engine. Most cars were equipped with optional four-wheel drive. At the time of its introduction, the Leone was Subaru's top model until 1989, when the larger Legacy was introduced.

Although released in Japan and some export markets as the Leone, for many years, this was the only vehicle sold internationally by Subaru where the smaller kei cars Rex, Vivio, R-2, 360, and Sambar were not commonly sold. As a result, in major markets such as Australia, Europe and North America, it was instead identified with a trim level designation, some of which included: DL, GL, GLF, GLF5, GL-10, and RX. The car is thus often referred to simply as the Subaru GL or the Subaru L series.