1992 Subaru SVX - Coupé 3.3i

Although Subaru had already built its first (small) car, the Model 360, in the late 1950s, the brand only really came to public attention in this country in the late 1970s with the Subaru Leone and the even better-known 1800 4WD. The estate car, launched with the help of Bernhard Russi, already featured the key elements that made Subaru a successful manufacturer worldwide, namely the boxer engine and all-wheel drive. By the mid-1980s, Subaru had launched the (Alcyone) XT, a sports car that really stood out with its wedge-shaped body. Almost 100'000 units were sold worldwide by 1991, some of which were fitted with six-cylinder engines. In late autumn 1989, Subaru unveiled the SVX prototype at the Tokyo Motor Show. The concept car surprised onlookers with a host of advanced technologies and a futuristic body shape, which looked extremely modern with its flat front end and large glass canopy. Officially, Subaru’s chief designer, Hiroshi Sarukawa, was responsible for the design, but Giorgetto Giugiaro and his company ItalDesign are usually credited as the creators. As a concept car, the aerodynamic (cw 0.27) coupé featured active suspension with hydropneumatic elements and electronically controlled all-wheel steering. The 3.3-litre, 24-valve, six-cylinder boxer engine was promised to deliver 250 hp at 6'400 rpm. The Subaru SVX finally went into production in 1991, retaining its close resemblance to the concept car. The large glass superstructure, whose visual impact was further enhanced by the black paintwork on the upper section, remained unchanged, whilst minor adjustments were made to the front and rear. Technically, too, nothing fundamental had changed in the coupé; however, buyers had to do without the electronically controlled hydropneumatic suspension and the all-wheel steering. Whilst Americans were able to get their hands on one as early as 1991, the Swiss had to wait a little longer, until 1992, before they could park an SVX in their garage. However, the alloy-block engine in the local variant no longer produced 250 hp; the type approval certificate still listed 230 hp at 5'600 rpm, a figure achieved without a turbocharger but made possible by sophisticated engineering. The Subaru SVX on offer here was originally delivered to Switzerland; it was first registered on 1 September 1992 and handed over by Garage Brattas in St. Moritz on the 23rd of that month to its first owner from the canton of Aargau (!). Naturally, this futuristic coupé, with its 230 hp 6-cylinder boxer engine, automatic gearbox and all-wheel drive, was supplied in the fully equipped ‘Swiss Pack’ version featuring automatic climate control, a radio/cassette player with CD changer, an electric steel sunroof, leather seats, an eight-way electrically adjustable driver’s seat, front and rear power windows, central door- locking, cruise control and much more. The service records, all stamped by Emil Frey AG in Safenwil up to 2008 and 179'748 km, suggest that the first owner remained loyal to his car for a long time. The Subaru then moved to Kanton Bern, where it was taken over by the current owner in June 2025 with just under 190'000 km on the clock. The owner enjoyed driving the car but has had to part with it for health reasons. The sporty coupé now has 193'000 km on the clock and is in decent condition. The engine and gearbox are in good working order; the interior is original with signs of wear and tear appropriate for its age; and the bodywork appears sound, though it shows significant signs of wear and tear. The last MOT took place in June 2025.