You Need This: Is this Alcyone VR 4WD Turbo the raddest JDM Subaru?

The late 1980s were a different time: Everyone was listening to songs sung by raisins, Berlin was still divided into two parts and Subaru had yet to be known for their rally-dominating Imprezas.

Instead, the Japanese carmaker produced some truly unique Rad-era cars like this wedge-shaped Alcyone VR 4WD Turbo. (Also known as the XT Coupe or Vortex, depending on the market.)

Imported from Japan, this Alcyone is powered by a turbo flat-four that sends its power to all four wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox.

The Alcyone also comes with a clean Florida title and is, according to the listing, “ready to be driven home on the day of purchase.”

Comments

David S. Wallens Editorial Director
11/4/24 4:56 p.m.

Yes, please.

CyberEric SuperDork
11/4/24 7:52 p.m.

That is officially the strangest steering wheel I have ever seen.

Pete. (l33t FS) GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
11/4/24 8:32 p.m.

I still remember the TV commercials for the XT.

Scene: old guy and his adult son, on a farm somewhere.

"Well, son, it's time to go buy a new Subaru."

Subaru canters off into the distance.

XT rolls up.

"I thought I told you to buy a Subaru."

"I did."

Edit: Amazing how close my fuzzy 40 year old memory was

https://www.youtube.com/embed/FdRWlRR4jgk?rel=0

Appleseed MegaDork
11/4/24 8:35 p.m.

CyberEric said:
That is officially the strangest steering wheel I have ever seen.

Wait till you see it move up and down with the entire cluster.

Pete. (l33t FS) GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
11/4/24 8:38 p.m.

Appleseed said:
CyberEric said:
That is officially the strangest steering wheel I have ever seen.

Wait till you see it move up and down with the entire cluster.

Ha ha ha! Welcome to the 1980s where weird is good.

The XT still had the handbrake on the FRONT wheels, too. It was strong enough that you didn't need to use the foot brake in normal traffic.

Just don't ask about the trials and tribulations involved with removing and installing a front axleshaft.

Also, note that the vent in the hood is not a WRX style intercooler grille. The EA82T engine was not intercooled. If it was the same spec as US then it made less power than the EJ18 from a base model '93 Impreza, too, with the same displacement. 110 grangly horsepower, up from 88 for a non turbo car.