Fuji Heavy Industries is launching a significantly upgraded Subaru Sambar kei truck on the domestic market. Its biggest weapon is a more comfortable cabin, greater safety and the lowest consumption in the segment.
At first glance, the modernized design differs very little, especially in the front part, which received a significantly redesigned radiator grille with a shiny strip (in the higher TC trim) and the car company's logo, moved more upwards. There are 7 body colors to choose from, including orange or light blue metallic. The small worker's cabin has undergone a much more significant modernization, which is easier to get into, offers a larger number of storage boxes, and the driver's seat can be moved to a greater extent, making it easier to find the ideal position behind the wheel . Both the dashboard and instrument panel are completely new, with the former now offering a large storage shelf in its lower part. For greater comfort, the upholstery of the seats and door panels were also modified.
Subaru also pays attention to safety, so the basic equipment includes seat belt pretensioners and a driver's airbag . A greater amount of high- strength steel was used in the body structure, improving the protection of passengers in the event of a frontal collision. The Sambar platform was completely redesigned, which, in addition to modified steering , received a new front suspension and suspension, which, in combination with a turning radius of 3.6 meters , significantly improves maneuverability even in confined spaces. Subaru promises greater comfort from the new exhaust system.
The cargo space can be opened from all sides and has excellent dimensions for a kei truck – in the lower part it is up to 2030 mm long , 1410 mm wide and the side height is 285 mm. It is only 660 mm from the ground to the lowest edge of the body. Sambar is the leader in its class in terms of the hooks offered for attaching larger loads , in the basic equipment we also find a handy step, which improves access to the load on the bed.
It is powered by a miniature three- cylinder with a volume of 0.66 liters , which, in combination with a five-speed manual transmission , produces 46 horsepower at 5700 rpm. However, you can also choose the new four-speed automatic , with which the engine has 53 hp at 7200 rpm. The torque of both transmissions is identically 60 Nm at 4000 rpm. Similar to other kei cars, the Sambar can be equipped with two or all four wheels with a differential lock. As already mentioned in the introduction, the Sambar's biggest weapon is the consumption of 5.1 l/100 km, which according to the Japanese cycle JC08 is the best value in the segment of kei trucks with manual transmission and single axle drive. According to the Japanese cycle, a four-wheeler with a manual transmission claims 5.3 l/100 km, a two-wheeler with an automatic transmission 5.4 l/100 km and a four-wheeler with an automatic transmission 5.7 l/100 km.
The Sambar will be available in two versions – the basic one with the designation TB starts at 653,400 yen (approx. 133,000 crowns) for the Sambar with a single-axle drive and a manual transmission. The higher TC version starts at 964,440 yen (approx. 195,000 crowns) in the same combination. If you want a quad bike, prepare at least 804,600 yen (approx. 163,000 crowns) for the TB version, or 1,115,640 yen (approx. 226,000 crowns) for the TC version. An additional 97,200 yen (approx. 20,000 crowns) is paid for the machine in all versions. Both versions differ in the design of the front mask, the presence of fog lights or unpainted mirrors and handles. The Sambar TB is also only available in white, while the Sambar TC is available in those seven body shades. Subaru's monthly plan is to sell 850 units of this kei truck .
Source: Subaru
