Al detalle:
The "Baja" ...Subaru's new crossover vehicle for 2003
SUBARU's ALL-NEW 2003 "BAJA"
Unique Model Blends Pickup-Truck Utility with Passenger Car Performance
CHERRY HILL, NJ – Subaru of America, Inc. has introduced the 2003 Baja, a new type of crossover vehicle that blends the versatility and ruggedness of a compact 4-door pickup truck with the driving dynamics, safety and comfort of a passenger car. Based on the highly successful Legacy/Outback platform and inspired by the Subaru
![](https://www.motorsportscenter.com/uploads/baja06_l.jpg)
ST-X Concept Vehicle, the unique All-Wheel Drive Baja arrives in Subaru dealerships in fall 2002. Subaru has established a dedicated consumer website,
www.subarubaja.com, for the new model.The Baja has already been chosen as the official vehicle of the Pro Surfing Tour of America. This newest Subaru model follows in the pioneering tire tracks of the Subaru Outback®, the World’s First Sport-Utility Wagon®.
The Outback sparked the trend in crossover vehicles that combine positive attributes of a sport-utility vehicle with the handling, ride comfort and fuel efficiency of a passenger car. The Baja delivers many of the practical benefits of a 4-door compact pickup truck, but with the kind of responsive handling and ride comfort that eludes truck-based vehicles. Its practical size makes it easy to maneuver, while still offering cargo-carrying versatility not possible in a sedan or wagon.
![](https://www.motorsportscenter.com/uploads/baja50_l.jpg)
Switchback™ System Extends Cargo Area
The key to the Subaru Baja model’s versatility is the Subaru-designed Switchback™ system that provides the ability to reconfigure the rear seating area, as well as the cargo bed, to meet a variety of needs when transporting people and cargo.
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Subaru designed the Baja with the active-lifestyle person in mind. The rear seatbacks fold down to add interior storage, and the Switchback panel between the cargo bed and interior section can be lowered to then extend the cargo area length. The expandable 41.5-inch pickup bed can handle a variety of outdoors equipment, such as mountain bikes, surfboards or scuba gear – even a go-kart. Lowering the tailgate and attaching the Subaru accessory bed extender lengthens the bed to 60.5 inches. Lowering the rear seat and Switchback cargo bed door can then provide a maximum load floor length of about 75 inches for carrying long items.
Subaru equipped the Baja bed for rugged usage. An integrated bed liner provides durability and allows easycleaning, and other useful features include bed sport bars, a dual-illumination bed light and four tie-down hooks. A swing-down rear license plate bracket, carried over from the ST-X concept vehicle, keeps the plate visible when driving with the tailgate lowered. The Baja also comes standard with roof rails and cross bars, and Subaru will offer attachments for skis, kayaks and snowboards. Attachments for carrying other items, including bicycles, are available for the standard roof rails and crossbars. The 2003 Subaru Baja has a rated towing capacity of 2,400 pounds.
![](https://www.motorsportscenter.com/uploads/baja59_l.jpg)
Design Blends Style and Function
The Subaru Baja shares a family resemblance with the Outback, including the enlarged front fenders, large foldable body-color mirrors and integrated foglights with stone guards. Exclusive Baja design elements include the grill and lower body cladding similar to that of the ST-X concept vehicle. The Baja features exclusive Silver Stone lower body and tailgate cladding, and there is also a Silver Stone monochromatic model with matching body and bumper color for a distinctive appearance.
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Like the ST-X concept vehicle that inspired it, the Baja is configured strictly as a 4-passenger vehicle. The rear seating area provides each passenger with the feeling of personal space and comfort, further distinguishing the Baja from the more utility-oriented models on the market. Dark smoke tinted rear door glass and rear window glass reinforce this ambience. A rear-seat console box in the seat bottom integrates dual cupholders. The Baja builds on the content level of the Outback model and adds luxury amenities and exclusive design features, including Baja-embroidered perforated leather-trimmed seats and a black and silver leather-wrapped steering
wheel and shifter handle. Instrument gauges with silver trim rings and silver metallic-finished trim on the left dash switch bezel, the audio bezel, shifter trim plate and door switch bezels lend a high-tech sporty look.
![](https://www.motorsportscenter.com/uploads/baja58_l.jpg)
Ready for Fun on Any Road
The Subaru Baja incorporates Subaru Core Technology, which consists of a lightweight, horizontally-opposed engine, a simple, symmetric drivetrain layout and standard full-time All-Wheel Drive. The inherently good balance of this design provides outstanding handling and performance, making the Baja fun to drive no matter where the road leads. In contrast, many compact pickup trucks offer only the option of part-time 4-wheel drive, which requires driver intervention and can degrade on-road performance.
In the Baja, heavy-duty raised 4-wheel independent suspension provides a smooth on-road ride while permitting off-road trail driving. (Currently, no other pickup in the market is equipped with 4-wheel independent suspension.) The front struts incorporate internal rebound springs to reduce body roll as well as dive when braking and lift when accelerating. The Baja allows off-highway trail driving, thanks to heavy-duty raised suspension, a viscous limited-slip rear differential that directs power to the rear wheel with the most traction, 7.3 inches of ground clearance and 225/60 R16 Bridgestone Potenza RE92 M+S all-season tires on standard 16 x 6.5-inch alloy wheels. Four-wheel disc brakes with 4-wheel, 4-channel ABS provide all-road, all-weather confidence.
Rugged Yet Comfortable
Ruggedness and versatility do not come at the expense of comfort in the Subaru Baja. Highlights of its 60+ standard-feature roster include:
• Air conditioning • 6-way power driver’s seat • 80-Watt AM/FM stereo with single-disc CD player and four speakers
• Cruise control • Digital outside temperature gauge
• Keyless entry system • Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter handle
• Perforated leather trimmed upholstery • Power moonroof
• Power windows, mirrors and door locks • Tilt-adjustable steering column
![](https://www.motorsportscenter.com/uploads/baja20_l.jpg)
Passenger Car Safety
The Subaru Baja shares safety engineering with the Legacy and Outback models and meets safety standards for passenger cars. In terms of active safety, the Baja delivers excellent road holding capability due to its lower center of gravity afforded by the horizontally opposed engine design.
The unitized Ring-Shaped Reinforcement Frame body structure helps provide the Baja with outstanding protection in a wide variety of collisions. Like the Outback, the Baja is equipped with de-powered dual front airbags, a dual-stage passenger front airbag and front seatbelts with pretensioners, force limiters and height-adjustable anchors. Configured strictly as a 4-passenger vehicle, the Baja is equipped with 3-point seatbelts for all seating positions.
Proven All-Wheel Drive Performance
A 2.5-liter horizontally opposed 4-cylinder engine shared with the Outback and other Subaru models gives the Baja an excellent balance of performance and fuel efficiency. The engine produces 165 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 166 lb.-ft. peak torque at 4,000 rpm.
The Baja offers two types of Subaru All-Wheel Drive technology, depending on which transmission the customer chooses. The standard 5-speed manual transmission is teamed with Continuous All-Wheel Drive. A viscous-coupling center differential built into the transmission case splits engine power 50 percent front / 50 percent rear. Wheel slippage at the front transfers more power to the rear, and slippage at the rear transfers more power to the front. The 5-speed manual transmission incorporates a flexible flywheel and a hydraulic clutch for smooth operation.
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Baja models ordered with the 4-speed electronic automatic transmission (4EAT) employ Active All-Wheel Drive, which uses an electronically managed continuously variable transfer clutch housed in the transaxle tailshaft. Power transfer is governed by slippage in the clutch plates that use a special friction material that can easily handle the loads generated during power transfer. Active All-Wheel Drive can transfer power to the wheels with the most traction and in response to throttle position. Under acceleration, the system routes more power to the rear wheels to help compensate for weight transfer to the rear.
![](https://www.motorsportscenter.com/uploads/baja09_l.jpg)
2003 SUBARU BAJA™
Standard Equipment
Performance
• Phase II 2.5-liter horizontally opposed 4-cylinder SOHC engine (165 hp) • Full-time All-Wheel Drive • 5-speed manual transmission (4-speed electronic automatic optional)
• Viscous limited-slip rear differential • 4-wheel disc brakes with twin-piston front calipers
• Heavy-duty raised 4-wheel independent suspension • 16 x 6.5-inch aluminum alloy wheels
• 225/60 R16 97H Bridgestone Potenza RE 92 M+S raised white-letter tires • 7.3-inches ground clearance • 2,400-lb. towing capacity
Safety • Ring-Shaped Reinforcement Frame body structure w/front and rear crumple zones
• 4-channel, 4-sensor anti-lock brake system (ABS ) • Height-adjustable 3-point front seatbelts with electrically triggered pretensioners and force limiters
• 3-pt. seatbelts for all seating positions • 5-mph impact-absorbing bumpers • Daytime running lights
• Front seat adjustable head restraints • Headrests for both rear seating positions • Dual front airbags (SRS); dual-stage deployment for passenger airbag • Child safety rear door locks
• LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren)
Design/Functional • Subaru Switchback™ system with fold-down rear seat and fold-down cargo bed pass-through door • Body-color door handles • Dual foldaway-type heated power-adjustable exterior mirrors, body color • 4-beam multi reflector headlights • Cargo bed rail molding, dark gray • Fuel door, stylized Silver Stone design to match cladding • Integrated rear bumper step pad • Multi reflector fog lights with stone guards • Outback-type front fenders • Roof rails- crossbars
• Swing-down license plate door (keeps plate in view w/tailgate lowered) • Silver Stone painted protective lower body side and tailgate cladding and aerodynamic ground effect side molding • Silver metallic inside door switch trim bezels, audio bezel, trans-shifter bezel, left dash, switch bezel
Comfort and Convenience
• 24-hour roadside assistance • 6-way power driver’s seat w/lumbar support
• 80-Watt AM/FM stereo with single-disc in-dash CD player and 4 speakers • Air conditioning • Cargo bed light (dual) integrated w/center high mount stop lamp • Cargo bed liner, integrated
Outdoor-Friendly
Subaru of America supports various outdoor activities and conservation and recycling programs, including the U.S.Forest Service "Tread Lightly!" program, which encourages careful use of off-road trails. Subaru is the official vehicle of Dagger Canoe and Kayak Company, the American Canoe Association, the National Ski Patrol, the Professional Ski Instructors of America, the International Mountain Biking Association, Gary Fisher Bicycle Components and Leave No Trace.
Subaru of America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. of Japan. Headquartered near Philadelphia, the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of nearly 600 franchised dealers across the United States.
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