Subaru produced its 20 millionth all-wheel drive vehicle in June, achieving the milestone in the 49th year since the company introduced the Subaru Leone 4WD Estate Van in 1972—Japan’s first mass-produced AWD passenger vehicle, based on the OEM.
The company’s AWD models currently account for 98 per cent of its global sales. All the models feature the brand’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system.
“To this day, all Subaru models (excluding the BRZ sports car) are equipped with standard Symmetrical AWD,” said Subaru, adding that it “refined its AWD technology for nearly half a century and will incorporate it into upcoming electrified models”— including the global all-electric SUV Solterra.
The OEM’s AWD system is known for its symmetrically-laid-out drivetrain and its longitudinally-mounted Subaru Boxer engine. The combination of the low centre of gravity provided by the engine with the weight balance of the drivetrain is meant to maximize stability and traction when driving.
