The Subaru XT, XT6, Vortex, and Alcyone is a 2 door coupé that sold from 1985 to 1991. The name Alcyone was used in Japan, the Vortex name was used in Australia and New Zealand, and the name XT (with the four cylinder EA82 engine) or XT6 (using the ER27 six cylinder engine), was sold in North America and Europe. All were available in front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, depending on the year.

The Subaru XT was introduced in 1985 and it was the first vehicle that didn't share exterior body panels or interior appearance with the Subaru Leone.

The Alcyone name comes from the brightest star in the Pleiades star cluster, on which the Subaru logo is based.

The XT range was replaced by the Subaru SVX in 1992.

By the time the XT was launched, Subaru had already produced vehicles with very different styling compared to other vehicles of the time period. The XT, first introduced in February 1985 in the United States (June 1985 in Japan), was a wedged-shaped departure from the 1970s-influenced curves of the previous models, aimed directly at the styles emerging in 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.

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. To open the door, it was required to push a hinged panel out of the release mechanism's opening. Rubber spoilers before each wheel well opening doubled as "mud guards" but really acted to direct airflow smoothly past the tires and wheels.

The inside of the car had many aircraft like features such as pod mounted lighting, climate control and wiper controls. The standard tilting telescoping steering moved the instrument panel to keep it lined up with the steering column when tilting. The shifter was joystick shaped and had a thumb trigger interlock and "on demand" four wheel drive button. Turbo models featured a sort of artificial horizon orange backlit liquid crystal instrument display with the tachometer, boost indicator, temperature and fuel gauges seen as three dimensional 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 windscreen. Pass-through folding rear seats and racing style front seats were standard equipment.

Manufacturer: Subaru
Parent company: Fuji Heavy Industries
Also called: Subaru Alcyone
Also called: Subaru Vortex
Also called: Subaru XT
Production: 1985–1991
Successor: Subaru Alcyone SVX
Class: Sport compact
Body style: 2-door coupé
Engine: 1.8L EA-82 97 bhp (72 kW; 98 PS) H4
Engine: 1.8L EA82 112 bhp (84 kW; 114 PS) H4 (85-86)
Engine: 1.8L EA82 115 bhp (86 kW; 117 PS)H4 (87-91)
Engine: 2.7L ER27145 bhp (108 kW; 147 PS) H6
Transmission: 4-speed Automatic
Transmission: 5-speed Manual Overdrive
Wheelbase: 97 in (2,464 mm)
Length: 177.6 in (4,511 mm)
Width: 66.5 in (1,689 mm)
Height: 52.6 in (1,336 mm)
Fuel capacity: 15.9 US gal (60.2 L; 13.2 imp gal)

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