Subaru - the Pleiades Skyflare

Engineer, pilot of the first airship in Japan, a naval officer, a member of the Cabinet, the military attache in Japan in Europe - all Chikuhey Nakajima (Chikuhei Nakajima), a man who stood at the beginning of the trail, which over the years turned into a race track for the famous Subaru cars .

27 photo.





Chikuhey Nakajima



It all started with aviation
For Nakajima first step was the opening in 1917. Aeronautical Research Laboratory in his hometown Ota, which today is the main production base of Subaru. The team consisted of only 9 people ...! The first aircraft produced plagued with failures - they either flew or took off, but fell into the ditches and gullies. At the time, I went the saying: "Too much paper money, too high price of rice. Everything goes up except aircraft Nakajima. " But after all the adversity the company won the competition and the other received an order for 20 aircraft, and the new name of Nakajima Aircraft. This success was the beginning of a long journey.
Developing engineering thought, Nakajima Aircraft quickly to compete with leading aircraft manufacturers. Since 1928 it produced fighters for the Air Force in Japan. Their hallmark was the elegance and smooth lines. Among engineers conventional wisdom "aircraft embodying the apex of engineering knowledge, must be beautiful».
Torpedo Nakajima B5N



Before the Second World War Nakajima Aircraft became a monopolist in the production of fighter aircraft and engines for the Japanese Navy. Interestingly, the production at the plant was built on the principle of the organization of work at the Henry Ford. Chikuhey Nakajima opposed the war, but its beginning was involved in the provision of government military supplies. That torpedo Nakajima B5N, contributed to the devastating blow of Pearl Harbor. A fighter-bombers with explosives posed a serious danger to the aircraft carriers and battleships.
Nakajima worried exhaustion Japan. There was a huge failure, compared with industry and natural resources opponents. In 1943 he finished his work - "Strategy for Victory", offering to change the strategy for supremacy in the war. Its foundation was the development of a heavy bomber Fugaku (65m wide, 45m long and weighing 160 tons.) But because of the lack of time and resources, the government refused to implement this idea. Instead, it held tough nationalization among aircraft manufacturers, and 250 000 employees Nakajima were captured and taken control of the military. Soon, as a result of numerous attacks, Nakajima Aircraft factories were destroyed. Remains divided into 15 companies.
From scooters to trucks
In 1945, five of them gathered their strength in the company Fuji Sangyo under the slogan "Again the aircraft!". Since the right to renew aircraft was not possible, the company's humble beginnings with scooters. In 1947. released «Rabbit» - 2 HP and a volume of 135 cc. It installed tail wheel from the bombers.
Scooter Rabbit, 1947.



Fuji Sangyo produced equipment from the remnants of the former greatness of the military until 1950. again it has been split into 12 production. Several companies, breaking the natural selection continued existence. Everyone is responsible for its direction. Fuji Kogyo - produced motor. Fuji Jidosha - Body Coach. Omiya Fuji Kogyo - engines. Utsunomiya Sharyo - w / d cars. Tokyo Fuji Sangyo - sales of products. That venture, formed after the collapse of the Fuji Sangyo first became investors and then established themselves joined in 1953. aircraft maker Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI). Stay afloat until then "helped" the Korean War, during which the company's factory was rebuilt more than 180 thousand. US army vehicles. But '53 was the beginning of an era Subaru! Today, FHI is one of the largest engineering corporations of Japan and the owner of the brand Subaru. FHI became President Kenji China (Kenji Kita). It was he who moved the stars from the sky on an emblem of Subaru.



To select the name of future cars staged a brainstorm, but all variants of China dismissed. In 1954. He chose the name of Subaru, which can be translated from Japanese as "put together." It is also the name of the star cluster in the constellation Taurus, which can be seen without a telescope, and six of the visible stars. Exactly the same number of companies joined together under the name of Fuji Heavy Industries. Subaru first Japanese car company to use in its name the word of the native language.
Initially, FHI had doubts whether or not to establish production of cars, and history has shown that it is necessary. In 1954. A prototype car F-1. A year later, he received the full name of the Subaru 1500. For the first time in Japan, it established a body-monocoque.
Subaru 1500, 1954.



Six of these cars transferred to the taxi park, but the remaining items did not go into mass production. In fact, F-1 became the base for the first batch of Subaru 360, issued in 1958. While the Ministry of International Trade and Industry announced the creation of the national Japanese car. Manufacturers set strict conditions: the car must be 4-seater, the engine no more than 500 cc, the maximum speed of 100 km / h and the value within 417 $.
Subaru 360 with interest kept within specified parameters. 2-door little car for four passengers with an engine of 360 "cubes" 20 hp It weighed 385 kg and was popularly called the "ladybug».
Subaru 360, 1958.



Advertise with sumo wrestlers - an excellent move for the mini car



In 1961. released a mini-truck Sambar Truck. He was very helpful in the crowded streets of Japanese cities.
Razvovznoy truck Sambar Truck



Meanwhile, Subaru sought access to the US market. It was not easy, as the Americans treated the Japanese cars, to put it mildly, skeptical. Came to the aid of Subaru models in 1000 (997sm.kub, 55l.s.), 1965 model year. It implemented a revolutionary idea at the time of application of front-wheel drive together with a horizontally-opposed engine. The basis was taken engine light aircraft (!), Which is placed along the axis of the vehicle in the horizontal plane. Thus it was created a completely new concept in the design of the car. Since 1968. Subaru began exporting to the United States, and Subaru in 1000 became the first Japanese front-wheel car.
Evolution Subaru 1000



Next Subaru designers have decided to equip their cars all-wheel drive. In 1972. appeared Subaru Leone 4WD Station Wagon. It is presented as a workhorse for difficult terrain, but consumers thought otherwise. Ski, fishing, picnic - that's where it began to drive a car with an engine capacity of 1.36 and 72l.s.
Subaru Leone 4WD Station Wagon



Following the Leone Station Wagon in 1977. Subaru BRAT released pickup with double cab and a large cargo area. BRAT has been focused on the North American market, and quickly found acceptance among young people. "Body" could accommodate everyone cheerful company.



Subaru Domingo 1983. - Compact all-wheel drive van for 7 people. Seats could rotate and tilt, which was an absolute novelty for Japan. Over time, many automobile companies have acquired licenses to produce Domingo.
Turn the advertising booklet Subaru Domingo, 1983.



But all-wheel drive Subaru Justy, for the first time in the world, equipped with Subaru CVT developed ECVT. The model presented in '84, and three years later began to equip variator. Following the tradition of the company, even a "kid" was equipped with all-wheel drive. By the way, the heir of the model you well know - is the Suzuki Swift.
Subaru Justy



In 1985. It appeared bold Subaru Alcyone. Alcyone - it is the brightest star in the Pleiades Subaru. In the US, it was under the name Subaru XT. The car was aggressive, reminiscent of a hawk. Its design has achieved the minimum at the time the value of the coefficient of drag (CD) 0 29. Displacement 1781 cc, power 135l.s. at 5600 vol. / min.
Subaru Alcyone 1985



Records - sports and not only
Subaru engineers have always been set on the continuous improvement of their creations. They squeezed out of the car as possible, and then raised the bar even higher! So it was decided to participate in the fight for the world speed record. The choice fell to a new all-wheel drive Subaru Legacy, which has not yet been officially presented to the market. The record was set in the United States at the site of the test center in Arizona. This type of record required to overcome the distance of 100 000 km!
So, the three Subaru Legacy was necessary to overcome the barrier of 100 000 km on the track length of just over 9 kilometers. Cars had to be constantly on the move, and all the stops, whether refueling, pilots or change the wheels, were included in the calculation time. Legacy went on record nineteen days - from 2 to 21 January 1989. During this time, the pilots have experienced under the wheels of their cars and heavy rain, the wind and the sand pumped to the track. All this casts doubt on the possibility of success.
But on January 21, all three involved in the race Subaru overcame 10 891 circle, and the best indicator was registered "machine №2», driven by a pilot Noriyuki Kosek. He crossed 100,000 km in 447 hours and 44 minutes 9 seconds, 887 (18, 5 days) with an average speed of 223, 345 km / h, breaking the world speed record of 10 km / h. The previous record of 213, 299 km / h was set Saab in 1986. During overcome the distance were broken international records Porsche and Alfa-Romeo. The very same record set by Subaru, beaten only in 2005. Mercedes diesel engine.
After this triumph, the company launched mass production of 2-liter Subaru Legacy with AWD system and has become the hallmark of the company's horizontally opposed engine producing 150hp which he developed at 6800 rpm.



Gaining experience in the production of four-wheel drive vehicles, FHI ever closer to the main measure of motor skills - motor racing. Although Subaru has previously made tentative forays into racing tracks with other models, did not achieve much success. Honor Athlete role this time was entrusted with all of the same model Legacy, which absorbed all the achievements of engineers Subaru.
In 1990. Team Subaru World Rally Team (SWRT) begins its journey in the prestigious World Rally Championship WRC (World Rally Championship). Cars to race ready known to this day the British company Prodrive. The main sponsor was the brand of «State Express 555" (cigarettes popular in Asia). Who of motorsport fans can not remember the white, and then blue cars with three fives on board? A bunch of logos Subaru and Rally 555 featured on the rally cars until 2003.
With the Legacy began victorious procession Subaru in WRC
Championship


In the first Safari Rally Subaru Legacy won in N. notable not only win, but also the finish in Nairobi, since previously no car of N did not maintain such a "killer" for the technology race. Subaru Legacy involved in the WRC until 1993. inclusive, each year winning prizes at stages WRC, but absolute victory could not reach. Only in 1993. the legendary rally driver Colin McRae (Colin McRae) on the Subaru Legacy won Rally New Zealand.
Subaru Legacy Rally Tour de Corse in 1993



But this was not enough for the company - Subaru wanted to go on stage wins to win at the end of the season of the world championship. Meanwhile, the baton has passed to the new Subaru Impreza. Introduced in the market in 1992. turbo Subaru Impreza was smaller Legacy, but with the same engine, suspension and wheel drive system that provides a high driving characteristics. The whole look Impreza showed its bright sporty character. The car became legendary not only in sports Tracy, but also in the eyes of ordinary fans, and still makes herself look to see off in traffic.
Already in the first year of full participation in the season WRC, Subaru Impreza running Carlos Sainz (Carlos Sainz) wins in three stages, as at the end of the year, the team SWRT rises to second place. This was a strong signal for the opponents.
In 1995. Colin McRae, piloting a Subaru Impreza, became the world champion and the team Subaru World Rally Team wins in the Constructors' Championship. Three times in a row - from 95 to 97 years - Subaru won the Constructors' Cup. 90s unconditionally became triumphant in the history of motorsport Subaru.
Subaru Impreza WRC
step


At the wheel of Subaru Impreza training car Prodrive, WRC world champions in different years became Colin McRae (1995). Richard Alexander Burns (Richard Alexander Burns - 2001.) And Petter Solberg (Petter Solberg - 2003.). And although in 2008. SWRT program turned rally WRC, Subaru Impreza, and today is involved in many international and national rally championships.
It should be noted that the Ukrainian rally crews also worked with the company Prodrive. For the first time in Ukraine on the Subaru Impreza, prepared by specialists Prodrive crew acted Dmitry Fisher and Sergei Koval. On it they took part in the World Championship in Corsica in 2007.



Later Mentos Ascania Racing team (currently Eurolamp world rally team), headed by the Ukrainian Rally Champion Valery Gorban acquired from combat vehicles Prodrive Mini John Cooper Works RRC for full participation in the World Cup standings in WRC2.
But Ukraine also has its own culture built rally Subaru. Indeed, thanks to the well-known racer and sports engineer Andrei Alexandrov Subaru gained widespread popularity and the love of our athletes and fans. Andrei Alexandrov tragically died in 2007. Bulgarian Rally Sliven (Sliven), but they built war machines still come out at the start of the rally special stages.
Returning to the history of Subaru must be said that the company, checking the potential of their cars on the rally competition on the ground, asphalt and snow, at the same time gathering all the information about how to behave in complex machines and custom vehicles for urban environments. The best practices used in civilian cars under the motto "active driving, active safety." In parallel with the motor racing went updated throughout the model line Subaru. Thus in 1991. replace Subaru XT (Alcyone) came Subaru SVX. This sports coupe with an unusual, and even today, looking modern design, where one glass once docked to another over the entire surface of the cabin. The dynamics of creating a traditional horizontally opposed engine with 3318sm.kub, 240 hp
Subaru SVX, 1991.

From myself, Behold, I dreamed about this once ...



In 1992. City car Vivio presented with the CVT, replace the Subaru Rex. Then replace Vivio came Pleo.



Among the novelties of the 90 necessary to allocate another model. This Subaru Forester, which debuted in 1997. Which is rightly considered the founder of crossovers. By tradition, he entered the market, having in his luggage the world 24-hour speed record of 180, 082 km / h in a group of vehicles for use on rough terrain. Forester was created under the concept "the best of both» («best of both»). Engineers managed to combine the features of a sports SUV and passenger cars. The chassis was taken from Legacy, but with some changes in the upward road performance on impassable roads. The car made a splash, because actually it's great for family travel on any terrain. Forester was comfortable for both driver and passengers.
Subaru Forester (1997.) Was a pioneer of crossover



In 2000 the company began business pertnerom Subaru General Motors Corporation and Suzuki Motor Corporation, continuing to produce new models and improve existing range of cars. Subaru Impreza absolutely deservedly became the Car of the Year in Japan.



Today, Subaru Impreza, Legacy, Forester, Outback, XV, BRZ and others confidently continue to demonstrate their quality, power and loyalty to the ideology on the roads for more than a hundred countries around the world. Each car is Subaru, which we see in everyday life, brings knowledge and ideas of engineers Subaru, collected more than 60-year history.



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I have everything.
Taken here InfoCar.ua/arts/article-9217.html



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