Yahoo Autos 1985 Subaru XT, the BRZ's long-lost ancestor, pops up on Cars & Bids
Subaru's second-generation BRZ traces its roots to an obscure, wedge-shaped coupe that only the geekiest enthusiasts remember: the XT. Not many of these were built, and few were preserved, but an example that looks surprisingly well-kept has popped up on Cars & Bids.
Released globally in 1985, and sold as the Alcyone in Japan, the XT wasn't the first coupe to wear a Subaru emblem; the original Leone was notably only offered with two doors when it made its debut in 1971 (the sedan variant didn't land until 1972). The big difference is that the XT was available only as a coupe, it didn't spawn a wagon or a sedan, and it was developed with a pronounced emphasis on performance.
Sales on the American market started during the 1985 model year, and the range initially included three trim levels called DL, GL, and 4WD Turbo, respectively. Beyond the unusual exterior design, which turned more than a few heads even in the 1980s, the XT stood out with then-futuristic equipment such as an adjustable pneumatic suspension system, a digital instrument cluster, and a pistol-grip shifter. The 1988 model year brought a flat-six engine, among other changes, and the XT retired in 1991. It passed the torch to the even funkier SVX.
