Subaru Justy

The Subaru Justy is a subcompact hatchback that has been sold by Japanese automobile manufacturer Subaru since 1984. Subaru manufactured the Justy from 1984 to 1994, then it has sold rebadged versions of other vehicles under the Justy nameplate. The company introduced the latest iteration, a rebadged Daihatsu Boon (second generation), at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show^[1] with a 1.0 or 1.2-litre straight-three engine, front/four wheel drive, electronically controlled continuously variable transaxle, or a 5-speed manual transaxle. For the 2010 model year, the Justy was replaced with the Subaru Trezia.

First generation

Originally designed and manufactured in Japan, the Justy was introduced to Japan in 1984. The design was a widened and stretched version of the Rex kei car, still using the same doors and some other pressings. The door, being very thin and of an almost vertical profile, betrayed their origins in a space constrained kei car. The electronically controlled, continuously variable "ECVT" transmission was introduced in February 1987.^[2] Production of this model was limited to 500 per month due to limited supplies of steel bands from Van Doorne, but as the Justy ECVT was not an unqualified success this was not a real problem. When supplies later increased, Subaru chose to use them for the smaller Rex instead.^[2] The Justy was originally available with a low or a high roof, although the flat roofed version was eventually allowed to wither away.

Facelifted first generation Justy

European and American versions followed in 1987 and all models received a restyling in 1989. In some countries, such as Sweden, the Justy was sold under the name Subaru Trendy. In some places it was also simply marketed as the 'J-series' in early years, J10 for 1.0 L versions and J12 for the later 1.2 L versions. In many markets the Justy was only sold with four-wheel-drive, as with much of the Subaru lineup. Intended to compete with Daihatsu's one-liter Charade, the Justy was presented with a one-liter engine. Somewhat underpowered, this was later complemented by a larger 1.2-liter which eventually became the only engine installed. In European catalyzed trim, this engine offered 80 PS (59 kW) at 5200 rpm.^[3]

In Taiwan, Subaru marketed a version of the Justy with a sedan-style body and an uprated 80 PS (59 kW) fuel injected EF12 engine called the Tutto. Taiwanese Subarus were assembled by their local partner Ta Ching.

United States

In the United States, only the Japanese manufactured models were sold and only from 1987 to 1994 with the 1.2 engine. The Justy received 4WD as an option in 1988, and all models were equipped with Multi Port Fuel Injection late in 1991. A five-door model was also available from 1990^[4] to 1994. A 1995 model was offered in Canada.

Norway

The Subaru Justy (they were registered as "Justy/Trendy" in Norway) was available from late 1984 with optional 4x4 and the EF10 engine, the 4x4 version came with a 54 bhp version of the engine with a two barrel carburetor, vs the FWD version that only produced 48 bhp with a single barrel carburetor. The EF10 4x4 version had a factory top speed of 145 kph and a 0-100kph/62 mph in 16s. Gear ratios where identical on the 1.0 and 1.2 versions. Stock tire dimensions on the 1.0 versions where 145-SR-12, the 1.2 versions had 165-65-R-13. Turning circle is rated as 9.8m, Fuel tank is rated at 35 liters.

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 North America, because of the long distances, the CVT was considered unreliable, but this has not been the case in other countries.

In 1989, the gear ratios changed, front brakes and outer axle shafts were made larger, the rear differential was reinforced and the front axle shafts were identical lengths thanks to an intermediate extension shaft.

The European Justy from 1994 to 2001, a rebadged second generation Suzuki Cultus, used a 1.3 SOHC 8V, G13BA Suzuki engine with a Suzuki 5 speed manual transmission and AWD via a viscous clutch as standard.

Gear ratios

1987–1988

1989–1994

Rebadged models

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

• In 1994, Subaru introduced to the Europe market a rebadged second generation Suzuki Cultus carrying the Justy nameplate. Manufactured at Suzuki's Esztergom, Hungary plant, these were available in 3 and 5 door models, both with full-time all wheel drive as standard.
• In 2004, a rebadged Suzuki Ignis carried the G3X Justy nameplate in Europe, this model is available with a Suzuki M13A or M15A engine, and also equipped as standard with AWD.
• In model year 2007 a rebadged Toyota Passo/Daihatsu Boon revived the Justy nameplate with the Toyota 1KR-FE 1.0 L engine. And, surprisingly, it is only available with front wheel drive, every Justy since the first one in 1984 had either optional or standard 4WD/AWD.
• In late 2016 a rebadged Toyota Tank/Daihatsu Thor revived the Justy nameplate with the Toyota 1KR-FE 1.0 L engine.

Gallery

• 
  Taiwan-spec Subaru Tutto
• 
  Euro-spec 2nd gen Subaru Justy (Suzuki Cultus-based)
• 
  Euro-spec 3rd gen Subaru Justy (Suzuki Ignis-based)
• 
  Japan-spec 4th gen Subaru Justy (Daihatsu Boon-based)

References