Subaru Trezia

2011 Subaru Trezia

With the partnership between Toyota Group and Fuji Heavy Industries because of the "Toyobaru FT-86" project, most of the cars built from Toyota and Daihatsu such as the bB, Coo, Atrai Wagon, Tanto Exe, and Mira were rebadged as Subaru OEMs such as Dex, Dias Wagon, Lucra, and the new Pleo. Now, the partnership between the two companies goes even further as Subaru launched their own version of the new Toyota Ractis (Ractis Verso in Hong Kong and Verso-S in Europe), called the Trezia.

Trezia, coined from the word "treasure", is just one of the precious memories both Toyota and Subaru collaborate each other because of the FT-86 project they promised to work on. And if I said "precious memories", there are some key points you can check on the Trezia. The Subaru Trezia goes like this, a Ractis/Verso-S with the Impreza's face because on the front size, that looks more of a fat Impreza. Since this is one of Subaru's OEM cars since the bB-Coo-based Dex, you may be familiar about how the Trezia looks like because you already noticed on the new Toyota Ractis/Verso-S.

2011 Subaru Trezia

I am very familiar about the Trezia's interior. After checking on the new Ractis' awesome panorama roof, this panorama roof can also be applied on the Trezia, and its applicable on the 1.5L variant.

Since the Trezia is the Subaru version of the new Toyota Ractis/Verso-S, it still offers two different engine types; a 1NR-FE (1.3-litre) and a 1NZ-FE (1.5-litre) engine. However, there's a catch; the Trezia 1.3L variant offers only a normal CVT while the Trezia 1.5L offers a CVT with a 7-speed Manual Mode, providing an edge of sportiness. If the Toyota Ractis has a Sporty Type (take note: The Toyota Ractis 1.5 S), the Subaru Trezia offers Type Euro. The Subaru Trezia 1.5i Type Euro offers a Euro-tuned suspension, sporty rims, orange stitching on the dark interior, Type Euro instrumental cluster, rear disc brake, and Muffler Cutter. The Subaru Trezia Type Euro is guaranteed to be the real hot hatch designed to be more European.

My thoughts about the Trezia:

It is somewhat suspicious that some Japanese car enthusiasts prefer the Trezia rather than the new Ractis. Despite both the Trezia and the second-generation Ractis were made under the partnership between Toyota and Fuji Heavy Industries, I never thought why some Japanese like the Trezia rather than the new Ractis because of the Impreza-like front view. I think the new Ractis is much more stylish than the Trezia, but that depends, both the Trezia and the new Ractis are the same.

There is a probability that this may come to Europe to replace the Passo-based Subaru Justy. But we will never know about that. This could be a double whammy! Could Toyota Motor Philippines bring the Toyota Ractis to the Philippines as the new Verso or MotorImage Pilipinas (the official Subaru distributor for Asia, including the Philippines) bring the Subaru Trezia? I could get confused if both the new Ractis/Verso-S and the Trezia clash against each other...

Photo: Fuji Heavy Industries, Ltd.