Venturing back
into the pickup truck marketplace for the first time since the Brat,
Subaru unveils this all wheel drive, supercharged concept - The
ST-X. (Subaru Truck X-perimental)
Armed with
a four cylinder 2.5-liter SOHC 4-cylinder boxer engine with Eaton
supercharger and Subaru B4 intercooler, the ST-X produces a powerful
230 horsepower @ 5,600 rpm and 210 lbs.-ft. of torque @ 4,000 rpm.
The eye opening
ST-X drivetrain doesn't just stop at the engine. It also has full-time
All-Wheel Drive, a dual-range 5-speed transmission and 8.5 inches
of ground clearance give it true off-road capability.
A long-travel,
heavy-duty four-wheel independent suspension provides a smooth on-road
ride while allowing the ST-X to step over rough off-road terrain.
The 225/55 R17 Yokohama AVS S/T tires mounted on 17" x 7" Enkei
alloy wheels add to the off-road capability and give the ST-X a
rugged, sporty look, as do the roof-mounted PIAA driving lights.
The ST-X should have debuted at SEMA.
In
the cabin there is room enough to seat four adults. The truck sports
a trick folding rear panel in the cab allowing the 55.5 inch bed to
be extended forward by an additional 20.5 inches for those trips to
Home Depot. The rear window of the cab rolls down into the rear bed
panel for the folding to take place. A rear bed extender can also
be added when the tailgate is down.
The console
and armrest trim, painted with a special dipped process, features
an "aboriginal pattern" finish, while satin-chrome-look trim adorns
the combination gauge pack and other items.
The gauge pack
also features "dark screen" technology -- the dials don’t become
visible until the vehicle is started. A Momo steering wheel provides
a sporty touch one might find in a sports car and it, of course,
includes an air bag.
The ST-X Team
worked with McIntosh Audio, recognized for its high-end home system
components. The ST-X system includes an AM/FM head unit with CD
player, three amps, 650 watts of total system power and seven McIntosh
speakers. The sound system includes dual VU meters which, while
functional, serve no real purpose beyond their visual interest.
After conducting informal testing with a teenage consumer clinic,
the "older members" on the ST-X team opted to include the meters.
Actually, the "clinic" comprised several teenagers who said "Ooh,
cool" when they saw the meters in a McIntosh Audio catalog. Those
"older" team members, meanwhile, felt that for some, the meters
might rekindle fond memories of late 1960s-vintage hi-fi equipment.
This four door
pickup is specifically designed to gauge consumer reaction for possible
future production. The ST-X could appeal to consumers -- especially
younger car and truck shoppers -- who want the versatility of a
four-door pickup truck, but would prefer the driving dynamics of
a car.
