January 29, 2002

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Preview:
2003 Subaru Baja
By Greg Wilson

Car-based pickup trucks are nothing new - remember the Subaru Brat, the Chevy El Camino and the Ford Ranchero? Even Volkswagen once offered a pickup version of the Rabbit and Chrysler once sold a pickup variation of the Omni. The difference between those vehicles and Subaru's new Baja is that the Baja has four doors and a sedan-sized passenger cabin. It also offers a unique folding panel between the cargo box and the passenger compartment which allows longer loads to be carried inside the box.

Introduced at the North American International auto show in Detroit earlier this month, the 2003 Baja is scheduled to go on sale in Canada in the Fall of this year. The Baja (pronounced ba-ha) uses the current Legacy/Outback platform with its full-time four-wheel-drive system, independent suspension, raised ride height, 2.5 litre four cylinder 'boxer' engine, and a pseudo-SUV styling traits.

"Based on the ST-X concept vehicle, the Baja is designed with an active lifestyle in mind," said Norio Osakabe, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Subaru Canada, Inc. "One of its greatest features is the exclusive Switchback system, which allows the reconfiguration of the cargo bed and rear seating area to meet a variety of needs."

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Much like GM's folding 'midgate' in the Avalanche pickup truck, Subaru's 'Switchback' permits owners to expand the Baja's cargo capacity by folding the rear seat and opening a panel between the passenger compartment and the bed area. Lowering the tailgate and attaching an accessory bed extender lengthens the cargo bed to nearly 2.3 metres (7.5 feet). The bed has an integrated liner for durability and easy cleaning, a bed light, four tie-down hooks, and exterior 'sports bars'. A roof rack with cross bars will be standard equipment, and Subaru will offer optional attachments for skis, bikes, kayaks and snowboards.

The Baja's front-end styling looks similar to the Outback, but the Baja has a unique grille and alloy fuel door, and 'Silver Stone' lower body and tailgate cladding. Subaru will also offer a monochromatic Silver Stone model with matching body and bumpers.

With four full-sized doors and sedan-like rear legroom, the Baja should be as comfortable in the back seat as it is in the front seats (unlike many pickups). However, while the Legacy is a five passenger vehicle, the Baja is a four-passenger vehicle. It will include a rear seat console box and integrated cupholders.

All Bajas will be well-equipped and priced accordingly. Standard equipment will include leather upholstery, air conditioning, CD player, keyless entry, power moonroof, power windows and door locks, 6-way power driver's seat, tilt steering wheel, and cruise control.

Like the Outback, the Baja will have a horizontally-opposed 2.5 litre, four-cylinder engine that produces 165 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 166 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm. Both manual and automatic transmissions will be offered, each with its own version of Subaru's all-wheel drive. Bajas with the standard five-speed manual transmission will have an AWD system with a viscous coupling centre differential, a flexible flywheel and a hydraulic clutch. Bajas with the four-speed electronic automatic transmission feature an AWD system with an electronically managed, continuously variable transfer clutch. So-called 'Active' All-Wheel Drive distributes power between the front and rear wheels depending on changes in speed, cornering forces and wheel slippage.

Both AWD systems will feature a standard viscous limited-slip rear differential, which directs power to the rear wheel with the most traction.

Also similar to the Outback, the Baja will offer a heavy-duty raised four-wheel independent suspension, four-wheel disc brakes with four-wheel, four sensor, four-channel ABS, and sporty 16-inch alloy wheels and 225/60R-16 all-season tires.

Subaru believes that the design of the Baja's lightweight, horizontally-opposed engine, symmetrical longitudinal drivetrain layout, and all-wheel-drive system will provide superior handling and performance to other 4WD pickup trucks. The permanently-engaged 4WD system will also be less hassle than a part-time system. However, the Baja will be a light-duty pickup only – no heavy payloads or big trailers. Owners will likely be suburban families that need a family car with cargo room for wet stuff - like skis, snowboards, bikes, or diving equipment - and the occasional TV, couch, fridge or dishwasher.

Subaru has designed a special web-site for the Baja: www.subarubaja.com. At the site, visitors can review its debut at the Detroit auto show, and check out features and images. Visitors can also register to join the "Baja Quest," an interactive online treasure hunt.

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Greg Wilson is a Vancouver-based automotive journalist and editor of CanadianDriver