Subaru Leone RX Turbo 4WD
The Subaru Leone RX Turbo, produced in its third generation from 1984 to 1994, holds a pivotal place in Subaru's history as the car that first combined the company's two signature technologies: the horizontally-opposed flat-four engine and symmetrical all-wheel drive. While not a household name outside enthusiast circles, the Leone RX Turbo was the direct ancestor of the Impreza WRX and every turbocharged AWD Subaru that followed.
The EA82T engine was a turbocharged version of Subaru's 1.8-liter flat-four, producing 120 horsepower in its most common specification. By modern standards, this figure is modest, but the Leone RX Turbo weighed only 1,100 kg, giving it a respectable power-to-weight ratio. The flat-four's inherent smoothness, combined with the turbocharger's midrange boost, provided a character that clearly foreshadowed the later EJ-series turbo engines.
The four-wheel-drive system was a full-time arrangement with a center differential, providing all-weather traction without requiring driver intervention. This was a significant selling point in markets with harsh winters, and Subaru's marketing emphasized the Leone's ability to maintain traction in conditions that would strand conventional front- or rear-wheel-drive competitors. The combination of turbo power and AWD traction made the Leone RX Turbo surprisingly effective on rally stages, where privateers achieved competitive results against more powerful machinery.
The third-generation Leone's styling was angular and purposeful, typical of mid-1980s Japanese design. The sedan, wagon, and coupe body styles were all available with the turbo AWD drivetrain, providing options for different customer needs. The RX trim level designated the sportiest specification, with upgraded suspension, alloy wheels, a rear spoiler, and sportier interior appointments.
In rally competition, the Leone turbo proved its worth in regional events worldwide. While it never competed at the top level of the World Rally Championship, its success in national championships — particularly in Kenya, New Zealand, and Scandinavia — demonstrated the fundamental soundness of the turbo AWD concept and provided Subaru with the competition data that would inform the development of the Legacy RS and, ultimately, the Impreza WRX.
The Leone RX Turbo is an increasingly appreciated classic among Subaru enthusiasts. Survivors are rare, as many were driven hard and not particularly well-maintained, but those that remain represent the genesis of one of the most successful performance car formulas in automotive history.
Surviving Leone RX Turbos are rare, especially in good condition. Rust is the primary concern — inspect the entire body, particularly the floor pans, sills, rear wheel arches, and the area around the rear suspension mounts. The EA82T engine is less well-supported than later EJ engines for parts availability. Check the turbo for shaft play and oil smoke. The 4WD system should be tested for proper engagement — center differential issues are common in neglected examples. Interior parts are very difficult to source. Many surviving examples have been used in motorsport or modified — unmodified, well-maintained examples are rare and increasingly valuable. Service records from the period add significant value.
Built at Subaru's Gunma plant. The third-generation Leone was offered with various engine and drivetrain combinations, with the turbocharged AWD configuration representing the top of the range. The Leone was replaced by the Impreza and Legacy in the early 1990s. The turbo AWD formula pioneered by the Leone was directly carried forward into the Legacy RS and subsequently the Impreza WRX, establishing the template that would make Subaru famous.