Subaru XT VX Turbo

Subaru XT VX Turbo

The Subaru XT, known as the Alcyone in Japan, was one of the most visually striking cars of the 1980s. Its sharply wedged profile, flush glass, and space-age cockpit design made it look like nothing else on the road, and its combination of a turbocharged horizontally opposed engine with all-wheel drive made it mechanically distinctive as well. The XT was Subaru's ambitious attempt to move upmarket and compete with European sport coupes.

The XT Turbo used a 1.8-liter turbocharged version of Subaru's signature flat-four engine, producing 136 horsepower. While not overwhelming by modern standards, the engine's broad torque curve and the traction advantage of the all-wheel-drive system made the XT a surprisingly effective performer. The flat-four's inherent balance provided smooth power delivery, and the turbocharger added a welcome midrange surge.

The XT's most remarkable feature was its interior. The cockpit was genuinely futuristic, featuring a Hill Holder clutch system, pneumatic height-adjustable seats, and - most memorably - a joystick-style aircraft yoke instead of a conventional steering wheel in the earliest Japanese-market models. While the production car eventually received a conventional steering wheel for most markets, the digital instrument cluster, with its electroluminescent display showing speed, RPM, and turbo boost, remained a standout feature.

The XT6 variant, available from 1988, featured Subaru's 2.7-liter flat-six engine - a powerplant unique among compact sports coupes of the era. While less powerful than the turbocharged four, the flat-six provided effortless refinement and a distinctive exhaust note. Both engines were available with either front-wheel drive or Subaru's full-time four-wheel-drive system.

The aerodynamic body was remarkably slippery, with a drag coefficient of 0.29 - exceptional for the mid-1980s and competitive with cars designed decades later. The flush headlights, concealed windshield wipers, and smooth underbody all contributed to the low drag figure. The wedge shape, while visually dramatic, also provided good forward visibility and a spacious cabin for a two-door coupe.

Commercially, the XT was a modest success. Its unconventional styling and relatively high price point limited its audience, but those who appreciated its unique character became devoted owners. The XT represented Subaru's willingness to take risks and think differently, an approach that would later pay dividends with the Impreza WRX and other performance models.

Today, the Subaru XT is an affordable and unique entry point into 1980s Japanese sports car collecting. Its quirky design, innovative engineering, and relative rarity make it a fascinating alternative to more mainstream choices. Clean, well-maintained examples are becoming scarce as the cars age, and the XT's distinctive character ensures that it will never be confused with anything else.