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It has been decades since Subaru Brat was produced. However, as a rumor about its revamp rises, how is the likeliness of the 2023 Subaru Brat to roll out?
In the market of North America, releasing pickup trucks is the easiest way to achieve guaranteed sales. However, as the market is slowly warming up to smaller vehicles models with an unpretentious set of features and a more affordable price range, the utility car segment may have a chance to rise again. Similarly, a rumor about the 2023 Subaru Brat also makes its way to car enthusiasts. Here are some reasons why the buzz might be worth paying attention to.
The Subaru Brat’s Brief Profile
The BRAT nameplate is an acronym that stands for Bi-drive Recreational All-terrain Transporter. It is a 4WD coupé utility introduced in 1977 in Japan at the wish of the Subaru President in America. It was used to meet small trucks demands in the region and rivals other significant manufacturers such as Nissan, Toyota, and Mazda. The Subaru Brat was developed by busing Subaru Leone’s platform, thus explaining its unique 4WD system.
The Subaru Brat is not precisely the most robust muscle truck, which is easy to grasp only by one glance. No need to say, it encountered a fate of discontinuation, yet the manufacturer tried to promote the sales once again by transforming it into a pickup. The old models use a 1.8-liter or 1.6-liter flat-four powertrain. Even then, there’s remaining space for tires underneath the engine.
A Quick History of the Subaru Brat
Every model of the Subaru Brat back then was equipped with a four-speed manual transaction. There are two options of engine: the 1.6L boxer engine that supports up to 67 horsepower or the 1.8L boxer powertrain that slightly bumps up the maximum output power to 73 horsepower.
The Brat was never aimed to rival influential vehicle segments. As claimed in the 1979 advertisement, it offered 25 mph on the city roadway and 34 mph on the highway. Back when the oil crisis happened globally, this served as a massive competition benefit for the model. Even if the 2023 Subaru Brat comes true and still retains this aspect, it will comply with the EPA standards for modern days.
These didn’t change the fact that the Subaru Brat was ignored. However, after a couple of decades, the concept of Brat has fallen into a gentler side along with the world – and this is how the Baja was born.
If ever the rumor of the 2023 Subaru Brat is true, then it is more likely to come in the form of Subaru Baja. The Baja is a vehicle model designed and styled to attract the next generation of adventure enthusiasts and extreme-sport enjoyers. The name is inspired by a scorching place that doesn’t offer much enjoyment, but the Baja admittedly does.
The Baja provides high versatility that it doesn’t only work for adventure seekers but also for people who want to use it for daily commuting purposes. Even if challenged with the textured road surface and responsive and precise steering, it provides a comfortable ride. The handling is sufficient, even fun, for most road types. The Subaru Baja is powered by a 2.5L flat-4 engine combined with auto or manual transmission.
Still an Uncertain Rumor
Back then, the Brat was thought to be a highly dismissible model, with a very narrow market niche and unique appearance that it’s hard to digest even for Subaru model enthusiasts. However, maybe instead of coming as too aggressive, it simply has arrived too soon for its sound. That’s why the idea of releasing the 2023 Subaru Brat might not be bad at all.
However, the rumor stays as it is: merely a story. Perhaps instead of a reconstructed Brat or Baja, Subaru is just working on a new Outback-sized model or another SUV crossover. Nothing has been denied or confirmed yet regarding this topic by the Japanese manufacturer.
Hyundai Santa Cruz and Ford Maverick have proved the excitement around modern coupe utility. What can be said to be true is that the automaker is competing to put out a more aggressive-looking model against competitors like Ford. For instance, the Wilderness version of the Outback will face directly against the Ford Bronco. This is where the 2023 Subaru Brat might sound excellent to improve the manufacturer’s game in the compact truck segment.