Subaru Loyale

Subaru Loyale was the name given to the former GL and DL model series in 1990. The name change was triggered by the introduction of the entirely new Legacy line of cars.

Subaru GL/DLs became very popular in the 1980s in snowy areas due to their adaptability to extreme cold (you can count on a Subaru to start at 40 degrees below zero, this cannot be said of all cars), low price, good fuel economy, and most importantly, the four wheel drive option. As Subaru GL/DLs were purchased as utilitarian vehicles, mainly for their practicality in icy environments, it is rare to find front wheel drive examples in areas where GL/DLs were popular, and almost as rare to find sedans or coupes.

However, though these may be the cars that gave Subaru their popularity in northern climates, they were not perfectly well adapted to the cold. CV axles and related parts on these vehicles (even more so than most front wheel drive and four wheel drive cars) had a tendency to break or wear out quickly in cold weather, and were relatively expensive to replace (compared to many other makes). Also, in part due to the width of the boxer engine, which made access inconvenient, repairs to the engine could be notoriously difficult, to the point that even in some areas where these vehicles were very common you could find mechanics who would refuse to work on them at all.

GL/DL-type names had been in use since the mid 1970s. All GL/DLs were powered by 1.6 or 1.8 liter carburated flat-4 engines. 2WD models were all fuel injected (with the exception of the STD and GL Hatchbacks, which remained carbureted until 1989) starting in 1986 (85 for California) and 4WD models were fuel injected in 1987 (1986 in California) although 87 4WD models with carburetors do exist, as the changeover was mid-year.) The Loyale was similar to the GL-10, althuogh their range of options ranged from DL to GL-10 levels. (For example, some Loyales did not have a console surrounding the gear shift, while others had power everything and a sunroof. Turbo Loyales were only available in 1990, which also saw the end of the production of the 3-door coupe, wihch was available as an RS model which was basically an RX without the turbo.

• DL - Base model, with few options. Manual transmission most common, although in later years automatics were available. Most examples were front wheel drive. DL models did not have a tachometer, oil pressure gauge, or voltage gauge (With the exception of the DL XT, which did have a tachometer, but no volt or oil gauges) although most other GL options such as power windows were available. Most 80-84 models were equipped with the 1600cc engine, although some models were available with the 1800cc engine on 4WD models.
• GL - More options than the DL, power windows and locks available, larger engine available on early models, turbo option available on later models. Air conditioning, automatic transmission, and power steering available. 1800cc engine was only available with the automatic transmission in 1980, but was available with the manual in 1981, although it was more common on the 4WD models. Starting in 1985, the new EA82 overhead cam engine was introduced, which replaced the EA81 and EA71 cam-in-block engines, except in the 85-89 hatchbacks and the 85-87 Brats.
• GL-10 - Radios, power door locks and windows, power moonroofs standard. Turbo option available on all years, and very common on later models.
• RX - GL-10 without a moonroof, but with an upgraded suspension, standard turbo, and a 5 speed manual transmission and dual-range 4WD standard. Comparatively rare. There were two major versions: a sedan and a coupe, which differed mechanically as well as in body-style. 85 and 86 RX models were part-time 4WD with "shift on the fly" 4WD, that is the vehicle could shift in and out of 4WD while the vehicle was in motion. It was also possible to shift between "high" and "low" with the vehicle in motion, provided the clutch was depressed. Starting in 1987, the RX switched to a "full time" dual range 4WD in which a center differential was utilized to allow the vehicle to remain in 4WD at all times for added traction. A "Diff Lock" switch allowed the center differential to be locked, to provide a 50/50 power split for added traction. An automatic transmission was available in 1989, although it was not very common. Full time 4WD was also available on the Turbo wagon, sedan, and 3 door coupe but it was only offered with dual range on the RX
• Loyale - Replaced all GL and DL models. Essentially the same as a GL-10, but with a different name.

Turbo models (with the exception of the RX) were not dual range from the factory, rather they had a vacuum-operated pushbutton 4WD system, with a 4WD switch integraded into the gear shift knob. It was possible to special order a Turbo model with the dual range RX transmission, but they didn't come standard that way. Loyales never came with low range, all were pushbutton or full-time 4WD.

Production of the Loyale ended in 1994.Template:Subaru