What is the Subaru BRAT called in the UK?
The Subaru BRAT was never sold in the United Kingdom under that name, and there is no UK-specific equivalent or renamed BRAT model. The BRAT badge is tied to a North American market pickup-wagon variant, and Subaru’s UK distribution did not import that version with a different badge.
To understand why and what replaced it in Britain, this article explains how Subaru’s European lineup differed from the North American BRAT and what UK customers could buy instead for similar practicality and utility.
Was the BRAT ever marketed in the UK?
Officially, no. There was no UK market version of the BRAT, and the model is not listed in UK Subaru catalogs under any name.
What did the UK receive instead?
In the UK, Subaru’s offerings during the BRAT era were based on the Leone platform, including sedans, estates, and four-wheel-drive variants. The company did not offer a pickup-style BRAT in UK channels, so buyers seeking similar utility would consider Leone-based estate/4x4 models rather than a BRAT badge. Later, Subaru’s lineup evolved with models like the Outback and Legacy/Impreza, but none carried a BRAT name in the UK market.
Summary
The BRAT name remains a North American designation with no direct UK counterpart. The UK market did not receive a BRAT-branded model; instead, Subaru’s customers relied on Leone-based wagons and 4x4s and later models for practical utility.
Where was the Subaru Brumby sold?
Australia
It was also known as the Brumby in Australia and New Zealand and the MV Pickup / Shifter in the UK. Imports to Europe, Australia (from 1978), and New Zealand continued until February 1994. The BRAT was not sold in Japan and was manufactured for export markets.
What is another name for the Subaru BRAT?
The Subaru BRAT, short for "Bi-drive Recreational All-terrain Transporter", known outside Canada and the United States as the 284 in the United Kingdom, Brumby in Australia, and Shifter, MV, or Targa in other markets, was a pickup truck that was made by Subaru from 1978 until 1994.
How big is the Subaru Brumby?
The height, measured from the ground to the top of the car, is 1445 mm across all variants. The width is 1635 mm across all variants. The length is 4355 mm across all variants.
What was the Subaru BRAT called in the UK?
Subaru 284
Although universally known as the BRAT today, it was officially marketed as the Subaru 284 in the UK, as the Brumby in Australia and as the Shifter, MV or Kevin elsewhere.
