The name Alcyone (it is pronounced "el-SIGH-uh-nee") refers to the brightest star in the Pleiades star cluster, on which the Subaru logo is based.

The Subaru Alcyone SVX first made its debut at the 28th Tokyo Auto Show in 1989, as a concept car. The Alcyone SVX, also known outside Japan as the Subaru SVX, is a mid-sized GT coupe that was sold by Subaru from 1991 to 1997. It was Fuji Heavy Industries or FHI's, first attempt to enter the luxury, performance car market. Its intention was to combine two seemingly contradictory elements, comfort and performance.

Italian Automobile designer Giorgetto Giugiaro of ItalDesign designed the slippery, sleek bodywork, incorporating design themes from many of his design concepts, such as the Ford Maya and the Oldsmobile Inca. Subaru decided to put the concept vehicle into production and retain its most distinguishing design element, the unconventional window within a window. Subaru called this an "aircraft-inspired glass to glass canopy," which was borrowed from the previous model Subaru XT with an additional extension of glass covering the "A" pillar. The decision to release this car for production would give the public the first opportunity to drive a "concept car" as originally conceived.

In stark contrast to the boxy, angular XT, the SVX had curvy lines designed by Giugiaro and an unusual, aircraft inspired "glass to glass canopy" with 2 piece power side windows. The windows are split about 2/3 of the way from the bottom, with the division being parallel to the upper curve of the door frame. These half windows are generally seen on exotic vehicles with "scissor", "gull wing", or "butterfly" doors, such as the Lamborghini Countach, De Lorean DMC 12, and the McLaren F1. The SVXs aerodynamic shape allowed it to maintain the low drag coefficient of .29 cd, previously established by the XT coupe it replaced.

Much of the early development, technical, engineering and performance data was taken from a special 100 page publication "Road and Track's Guide to the New Subaru SVX". Acceleration from 0 to 60 mph was 7.3 seconds, with a standing 1/4 mile time of 15.4 seconds at 92.5 mph (148.9 km/h). The top speed of the 1992, 1993 SVX was about 143 mph (230 km/h). Though powerful enough for the time, the SVX was relatively heavy, weighing in at 3580 pounds (1624 kg), which is roughly the same as a Third Generation Outback wagon.


Manufacturer: Subaru
Parent company: Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI)
Also called: Subaru SVX
Production : 1991–1996
Model year: 1992–1997
Predecessor: Subaru Alcyone XT
Class: Grand tourer
Body style: 2-door coupé
Layout: F4 layout
Engine: 3.3 L EG33 flat-6
Transmission: 4-speed automatic 4EAT
Wheelbase: 102.8 in (2611 mm)
Length: 182.1 in (4625 mm)
Width: 69.7 in (1770 mm)
Height: 48.4 in (1229 mm)
Curb weight: 3,580 lb (1,624 kg)
Designer: Giorgetto Giugiaro

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