Subaru's concept SRD-1 station wagon dominated the Japanese automaker's exhibit scene. Called an innovative "dream machine" for the '90s and beyond," the SRD-1 featured a short nose and long 8-passenger compartment. Seats folded in different directions to make the most efficient cargo space.
In addition to production cars, IAD had considerable input into other manufacturers' show cars. For example, it created the 1989 SRD-1 for Subaru, a mix of the five-door estate (station wagon) and low-slung sports car styles, which ItalDesign's Giorgio Giugiaro described as "right for the future."
SRD-1 was the first concept car from Subaru Research and Design in Cypress, California. The styling was described as having "a very short nose and long passenger compartment designed to provide plenty of room for people and cargo" at the 1990 Chicago Auto Show. According to the double-sided color placard, the SRD-1 was "an innovative dream wagon concept for the '90s and beyond". The same placard stated that Subaru developed the car because the company "has long been recognized as having the most popular line of import station wagons in the US" and that "to strengthen this leadership position, Subaru Research & Design developed the SRD-1, a family station wagon concept car, with characteristic attention to the future needs of the mature wagon users in the latter half of [the] 1990s".
It was equipped with a 3.3-liter DOHC 24-valve horizontally opposed 6-cylinder engine and full-time 4-wheel drive with electronically controlled center differential.
Source: www.chicagoautoshow.com; TheMotor.Net - IAD - a potted history; Schreiber, Ronnie (19 April 2013). "The Encyclopedia of Obscure Concept and Show Cars: Part Five - Pontiac to Volvo". The Truth About Cars [blog]. Retrieved 30 May 2017.; "Looking Back at 1990s". The Chicago Auto Show. Retrieved 30 May 201
Images: www.subaru-impreza.de; www.chicagoautoshow.com
