The R2 was the first production
Subaru to sport a new family look, including the aviation-inspired "spread wings grille" also used by their
Tribeca and
Impreza. The R2's exterior dimensions are largely similar to its predecessor, the
Subaru Pleo; but unlike the squarish Pleo, the R2 has a deliberately rounded, less space-efficient form. Three variations of the 4-cylinder 658 cc engine were available: • SOHC • DOHC AVCS (
variable valve timing) • DOHC with
supercharger and
intercooler (R2 Type S) Unlike other Subaru models which used
boxer engines, the R2 used an
inline engine. The two lower engine options were available with either a manual transmission or a
CVT. The supercharged engine was coupled to a sportshift version of the CVT ("7 speed iCVT"). Both
front wheel drive and
all wheel drive were available. Initially, the R2 was available in 11 colors and 3 trim levels (one for each engine variation). On January 4, 2005, the
Subaru R1 was introduced, which was a 2-door version of the R2 with a shorter body and wheelbase. In November 2005, the R2 got a facelift, replacing the spread wings grille with one similar to the
Subaru Legacy. ==References==