Subaru Alcyone: Which Version Should You Buy?
The Subaru Alcyone choice comes down to two distinct generations of Coupe. The first generation, produced from June 1985 through August 1991, offers eight listed versions built around 1.8 AT, 1.8 MT, and 2.7 MT configurations. The second generation, produced from September 1991 through December 1997, has a single 3.3 AT version.
The Subaru Alcyone choice comes down to two distinct generations of Coupe. The first generation, produced from June 1985 through August 1991, offers eight listed versions built around 1.8 AT, 1.8 MT, and 2.7 MT configurations. The second generation, produced from September 1991 through December 1997, has a single 3.3 AT version. Buyers prioritizing lower kerb weight, greater ground clearance, transmission choice, or a choice between FWD and AWD should focus on the first generation. The second-generation 3.3 AT is the clear choice for maximum output: its 230 hp and 309 Nm are the highest figures in the data.
Subaru Alcyone generations compared
The first-generation Subaru Alcyone is a Coupe with eight listed versions. Every version has a kerb weight of 1,180 kg, ground clearance of 165 mm, and a 60-litre fuel tank. The engine choices are a turbocharged 1,781 cc Opposite four-cylinder producing either 120 hp and 178 Nm or 135 hp and 196 Nm, plus a naturally aspirated 2,672 cc Opposite six-cylinder producing 150 hp and 211 Nm. Depending on the version, buyers can select Automatic or Manual transmission and FWD or AWD.
The second-generation Subaru Alcyone is also a Coupe, but the catalogue contains one version: 3.3 AT. It uses a 3,318 cc naturally aspirated Opposite six-cylinder Gasoline engine with 230 hp and 309 Nm, paired with a 4-speed Automatic and AWD. Kerb weight rises to 1,620 kg, while ground clearance falls to 135 mm and tank capacity increases to 70 litres.
The generational change therefore adds 440 kg of kerb weight, reduces ground clearance by 30 mm, and adds 10 litres of tank capacity. Against the first-generation 2.7 MT, the second-generation 3.3 AT adds 80 hp and 98 Nm. It also replaces the 5-speed Manual with a 4-speed Automatic in the listed six-cylinder comparison.
Subaru Alcyone engine and specs
Because several first-generation entries share the same version name, power and drive are included below to distinguish them accurately.
| Generation and version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders | Layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First generation 1.8 AT, 120 hp, AWD | 120 hp | 178 Nm | 1,781 cc | Gasoline | 4 | Opposite | Turbo | 4-speed Automatic | AWD |
| First generation 1.8 AT, 120 hp, FWD | 120 hp | 178 Nm | 1,781 cc | Gasoline | 4 | Opposite | Turbo | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| First generation 1.8 MT, 120 hp, FWD | 120 hp | 178 Nm | 1,781 cc | Gasoline | 4 | Opposite | Turbo | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| First generation 1.8 MT, 120 hp, AWD | 120 hp | 178 Nm | 1,781 cc | Gasoline | 4 | Opposite | Turbo | 5-speed Manual | AWD |
| First generation 1.8 AT, 135 hp, AWD | 135 hp | 196 Nm | 1,781 cc | Gasoline | 4 | Opposite | Turbo | 3-speed Automatic | AWD |
| First generation 1.8 MT, 135 hp, AWD | 135 hp | 196 Nm | 1,781 cc | Gasoline | 4 | Opposite | Turbo | 5-speed Manual | AWD |
| First generation 1.8 MT, 135 hp, FWD | 135 hp | 196 Nm | 1,781 cc | Gasoline | 4 | Opposite | Turbo | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| First generation 2.7 MT, 150 hp, AWD | 150 hp | 211 Nm | 2,672 cc | Gasoline | 6 | Opposite | No | 5-speed Manual | AWD |
| Second generation 3.3 AT, 230 hp, AWD | 230 hp | 309 Nm | 3,318 cc | Gasoline | 6 | Opposite | No | 4-speed Automatic | AWD |
All listed engines use distributed injection (multi-point) and fuel grade 95. The first-generation 1.8 versions have two valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 7.7. The first-generation 2.7 MT also has two valves per cylinder, with a compression ratio of 9.5. The second-generation 3.3 AT has four valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 10.
Power density separates the engines more clearly than displacement alone. The 120 hp 1.8 versions produce about 67.4 hp per litre, while the 135 hp 1.8 versions reach about 75.8 hp per litre. The 2.7 MT produces about 56.1 hp per litre, and the second-generation 3.3 AT produces about 69.3 hp per litre. Thus, the 135 hp 1.8 has the highest power per litre, while the 3.3 AT has the highest total power and torque.
Subaru Alcyone performance and economy
Acceleration from 0–100 km/h is not measured for any listed Subaru Alcyone version. Top speed is also not measured for any version. City fuel consumption, highway fuel consumption, and combined fuel consumption are not measured across both generations. CO₂ output and environmental class are not measured as well.
The available output figures still support useful comparisons. Moving from a 120 hp 1.8 version to a 135 hp 1.8 version adds 15 hp and 18 Nm without changing the listed displacement or kerb weight. The stronger 1.8 therefore improves the weight-to-power figure from about 9.8 kg per hp to about 8.7 kg per hp.
The first-generation 2.7 MT improves that figure further to about 7.9 kg per hp. The second-generation 3.3 AT has roughly 7.0 kg per hp despite weighing 440 kg more than any listed first-generation version. On the catalogue numbers alone, it offers the strongest power-to-weight relationship, but measured acceleration is unavailable and should not be inferred from that calculation.
Subaru Alcyone dimensions, weight, and chassis specs
Every listed first-generation version has a kerb weight of 1,180 kg, while gross weight is not measured. Ground clearance is 165 mm, tank capacity is 60 litres, and wheel sizes are not measured. Front suspension is Independent, spring; rear suspension is Semi-independent, spring. Braking consists of Ventilated disc brakes at the front and Disc brakes at the rear.
The second-generation 3.3 AT has a kerb weight of 1,620 kg, while gross weight is not measured. Its ground clearance is 135 mm, its fuel tank holds 70 litres, and wheel sizes are not measured. Both front and rear suspension are Independent, spring. Both axles use Ventilated disc brakes.
These chassis figures provide another buying distinction. The first generation is 440 kg lighter and has 30 mm more ground clearance. The second generation adds independent rear suspension and ventilated rear discs, while providing a tank that is 10 litres larger.
Subaru Alcyone interior, problems, and reliability
Interior specifications are not measured in the supplied data. Equipment, seating, luggage capacity, and cabin dimensions therefore cannot be used to choose between versions.
Reliability data and documented problems are also not measured. The specifications show differences in displacement, boost, transmission, drive, suspension, and brakes, but they do not establish maintenance costs or failure rates. A buying decision about condition or reliability requires information beyond this catalogue dataset.
Which Subaru Alcyone version should you buy?
Choose a first-generation 1.8 AT with 120 hp if the priority is an Automatic paired with the lower-output 1,781 cc Turbo engine. Its 178 Nm arrives at 2,400 rpm, and the catalogue offers both FWD and AWD versions with the same 4-speed Automatic. This makes drive layout the principal specification difference between those two identically named 1.8 AT entries.
Choose a first-generation 1.8 MT with 120 hp if you want a 5-speed Manual and the same 120 hp, 178 Nm engine. Again, FWD and AWD are both listed. Since kerb weight, clearance, tank capacity, suspension, and brakes are identical in the data, the decision is primarily between the two drive systems.
Choose the first-generation 1.8 AT with 135 hp and AWD if an Automatic is essential but the stronger turbocharged 1.8 is preferred. Compared with the 120 hp 1.8 AT, it adds 15 hp and 18 Nm. The trade-off within the listed specifications is a 3-speed Automatic rather than the 4-speed Automatic fitted to the 120 hp versions.
Choose a first-generation 1.8 MT with 135 hp for the most power-dense engine in the range. It produces about 75.8 hp per litre and pairs 135 hp with a 5-speed Manual. Both AWD and FWD variants are listed, so the buyer can select the drive layout without changing the stated output, 1,781 cc displacement, or 1,180 kg kerb weight.
Choose the first-generation 2.7 MT if you prefer the strongest first-generation specification and a naturally aspirated Opposite six-cylinder. Its 150 hp exceeds the stronger 1.8 by 15 hp, while its 211 Nm adds another 15 Nm. It combines AWD with a 5-speed Manual and improves weight per horsepower to about 7.9 kg per hp, although its power density is lower than either turbocharged 1.8 output.
Choose the second-generation 3.3 AT if maximum catalogue output matters most. Its 230 hp is 80 hp above the 2.7 MT and 95 hp above the stronger 1.8 versions; its 309 Nm is 98 Nm above the 2.7 MT and 113 Nm above the 135 hp 1.8. It also brings a 4-speed Automatic, AWD, independent spring suspension at both ends, and ventilated discs on both axles. The measurable compromises are its 1,620 kg kerb weight and 135 mm clearance.
There are no sale prices in the data, so the extra money required for one version over another is not measured. What a higher-output choice buys in specification terms is clear: the 135 hp 1.8 adds 15 hp and 18 Nm over the 120 hp tune, the 2.7 MT adds another 15 hp and 15 Nm, and the 3.3 AT makes the largest step with an additional 80 hp and 98 Nm over the 2.7 MT.