Subaru

The first generation Leone was introduced in October 1971 as a front-wheel drive coupé. It was released as a replacement for the Subaru 1000 and at its introduction, the Leone was Subaru's largest car. April 1972 saw the introduction of the two- and four-door sedans and in Japan, the Super Touring. In September 1972, a four-wheel drive station wagon completed the range. Up until this time four-wheel drive had been limited mainly to off-road vehicles, and it became Subaru's most notable feature during the 1970s and 1980s, leading to particularly strong sales in places like Switzerland and the USA. 

In March 1977, an updated Leone range was released. All body panels were altered slightly and the overall look was more contemporary in appearance. A completely new dashboard with altered interior were also part of the update. The first genration Leone remained in production until June 1979.