Subaru BRAT: The Quirky 4WD Pickup Truck

The Subaru BRAT represents a unique era of automotive engineering that blended the utility of a pickup truck with the chassis and practicality of a passenger car. Produced between 1978 and 1994, the vehicle was a four-wheel drive coupé utility based on the Subaru Leone.

The name BRAT serves as an acronym for Bi-drive Recreational All-terrain Transporter. While the vehicle is often remembered for its quirky identity, its development was a strategic response to specific market demands in North America.

The BRAT was developed in Japan in 1977. This project was initiated at the request of the President of Subaru of America to create a vehicle that could match the growing demand for small trucks in the North American market.

By introducing the BRAT, Subaru aimed to compete directly with other manufacturers producing compact trucks, specifically Toyota, Nissan, and Mazda. To differentiate itself from these competitors, Subaru ensured that all BRAT models featured four-wheel drive, a capability derived from the existing Leone station wagon.

Technical Specifications and Powertrains

The mechanical foundation of the BRAT relied on the Subaru EA engine series. Early production models were powered by the 1.6-litre EA-71 engine.

In 1981, Subaru updated the powertrain, and subsequent models were equipped with a 1.8-litre EA-81 engine. Further performance options were introduced for the 1983 and 1984 model years, where buyers could opt for a turbocharged engine producing 94 hp (70 kW).

Transmission configurations varied based on the engine and model year. Manual transmissions were the standard offering across all BRAT models. However, an automatic transmission was made available specifically for the turbocharged versions of the vehicle.

The four-wheel drive systems also underwent several iterations throughout the production cycle:

• Models produced in 1980 and earlier utilized a single-range transfer case.
• Starting in 1981, GL models were equipped with a dual-range transfer case, while DL models continued to use the single-range system.
• Turbocharged models featured a 3-speed automatic transmission paired with a single-range, push-button four-wheel drive system.

Design Features and Market Identity

Subaru positioned the BRAT as a Fun in the Sun vehicle, emphasizing its recreational capabilities. This branding was supported by the inclusion of On-Demand 4WD, which allowed the vehicle to handle varying terrain more effectively than standard compact pickups of the time.

One of the most distinctive and unconventional design choices was the inclusion of a pair of rear-facing jump seats bolted directly into the cargo bed. This feature increased the vehicle’s passenger capacity while maintaining its utility as a pickup.

The BRAT’s global identity varied by region. While it was sold as the BRAT in North America, it was known as the Brumby, the Shifter, or the MV Pickup in other international markets.

The vehicle’s architecture as a car-based pickup allowed it to offer a different driving experience compared to the larger, frame-on-body trucks that eventually came to dominate American roads. Its quirky proportions and standard all-wheel drive system made it a standout in a segment defined by creativity and risk-taking.

Although the BRAT had a relatively short lifespan in the United States market, it remains a symbol of an era when automakers experimented with hybrid vehicle categories to find niche audiences. By fusing a go-anywhere ethos with a car-like footprint, Subaru created a utility vehicle that defied the conventions of traditional truck design.