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All were available in front wheel drive or all wheel drive (depending on the year). The XT was replaced by the Subaru SVX in 1992. The Alcyone is named after the brightest star in the Pleiades star cluster, on which the Subaru logo is based. Subaru XT (1985–1991)Subaru has earned a reputation for designing and marketing unusual vehicles—sometimes successfully, sometimes not. The Subaru XT is no exception. First introduced in February 1985 in the United States (June 1985 in Japan), the XT was a wedged-shaped departure from the 1970s-influenced curves of the previous models, aimed directly at the heart of the 1980s. When introduced, the New York Times called it "the ultimate in jazzy design", in contrast to Subaru's older "cheap and ugly" offerings. Its unusual wedge shape led to the unflattering nickname, "flying doorstop". A Breakthrough in Automotive Aerodynamics The extreme wedge body shape was possible due to the engine's flat horizontally opposed cylinder layout shared by all Subarus in 1985. Extensive wind tunnel testing was used to lower wind resistance and even "aircraft type" door handles were used that were totally flush with the outside of the door. You had to push a hinged panel out of the release mechanism's opening to open the door. Rubber spoilers before each wheel well opening doubled as "mud guards" but really acted to direct airflow smoothly past the tyres and wheels. The result was arguably the most aerodynamic production car of its time with a coefficient of drag or Cd of "0.29". Aircraft-Styled Cockpit The inside of the car had may aircraft-like features such as pod mounted lighting, heater/ac and wiper controls. The standard tilting-telescoping steering moved the instrument panel to keep it lined up with the steeing column when tilting. The shifter was "joystick" shaped and had a thumb trigger interlock and "on-demand" 4WD engage button. Turbo models featured an sort of "artificial horizon" orange backlit LCD instrument display with the tachometer, boost indicator, temperature and fuel gauges seen as 3D graphs tilting back out to the horizon. The XT was loaded with features rarely found on small cars, such as a turbocharger, a computer-controlled engine and transmission, adjustable height suspension and an optional digital instrument cluster. The XT also had some features found on few other cars, such as an electronic in-dash trip computer, retractable flaps covering the door handles, and a single wiper blade for the entire windshield. Pass thru fold down rear seats and racing style front seats.
DrivetrainThe 1985 XT was fitted with two engines:
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