Subaru Corporation has announced that Subaru’s all-new battery-electric SUV will be named Subaru Solterra and is expected to hit the market in 2022. Solterra is Subaru’s all-new C-segment all-electric SUV. It will be the first Subaru to be built on the purpose-built e-Subaru Global Platform for Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV).
The e-Subaru Global platform, jointly developed by Subaru and Toyota, enables the efficient launch of various EV models by combining multiple modules and components, such as the front, center, and rear of a vehicle. While the two companies pooled their knowledge to create a completely new platform, Subaru strived to achieve superior passive safety and vehicle stability, something Subaru has always strived for and now with this specific BEV platform. Not only the platform but also the SUV Solterra was jointly developed by Subaru and Toyota.
The wide range of partnerships includes product planning, design, and performance evaluation. During this development process, the two companies combine their respective strengths, such as Subaru’s many years of experience with four-wheel drive technology and Toyota’s outstanding vehicle electrification technology, with the aim of creating a new SUV with features that only a fully electric vehicle can offer.
Interior Design Of Subaru Solterra
According to the manufacturer, the most important features for the interior of the Subaru Solterra should be connectivity and general infotainment. A touch screen is integrated into the fitting. Both Apple Car and Android Auto are included, as is the option to charge the smartphone wirelessly. Subaru has not released much information about the Solterra interior but we can expect a free-standing digital gauge display, a large infotainment system, and a high center console with what looks like a rotary shift knob. The conventional steering wheel is striking because until now they have only shown an interior with a so-called yoke.
Exterior Design Of Subaru Solterra
It has traditional style elements such as the hexagonal grille and the angular wheel housings. In addition to these classic elements, the vehicle looks much more modern. In addition to taking the technical step into the future, the vehicle manufacturer is also taking design development. The rear lights have a more complex and elaborate design than those of traditional Subaru’s.
The design study that Subaru presented at the beginning of 2020 is an SUV coupe and takes on traditional style elements such as the hexagonal radiator grille and the angular wheel arches, but otherwise looks much more modern than the current model series. The Solterra seems to have a slightly redesigned nose with its own light signature, but the rear, for example, seems identical to that of the Toyota BZ4X.
Engine And Battery Of Subaru Solterra
According to Subaru, the electric platform is really developed by both brands. Subaru would use its extensive experience in the field of four-wheel drive, although the four-wheel drive with the electric Solterra is of course very different from their other automobiles. Instead of E-TNGA, Subaru calls the platform e-Subaru Global Platform. This template allows the car manufacturer to equip the self-produced electric vehicles with either front, rear, or all-wheel drive. All-wheel drive in particular is a defining feature of the Subaru brand.
According to the manufacturer, the battery equipment is supplied with a capacity between 50 and 100 kWh. This also defines the range of the Solterra. With this E-SUV from Subaru, maximum distances of 300 to 600 kilometers can be achieved with one battery charge. The all-wheel drive is controlled by two built-in electric motors. The model has an output of 218 hp in the basic version and 408 hp in the highest power level.
Features And Specs Of Subaru Solttera
They install a huge touchscreen in the dashboard. Android Auto and Apple Carplay are also on board, as is the ability to charge smartphones wirelessly. It is still questionable whether Subaru will adopt the Toyota driver assistance system (TSS 3.0) or use its own Eye-Sight X system.
Price Of Subaru Solterra
Details regarding the price are not disclosed yet. The Subaru Solterra will be launched worldwide, in addition to the USA, Canada and Japan, as well as China and Europe. With it, the Japanese manufacturer can reduce its fleet consumption and thus meet the EU’s CO2 emission targets. A hurdle that recently saw some of the Subaru brand’s new developments, including the new Levorg station wagon and the successor to the BRZ sports coupe, fail.
In Europe, the E-Boxer hybrids in the form of the new Forester and the XV are currently coming onto the market. In 2030, 40 percent of all new Subaru with electrified drive will roll off the assembly line. Just five years later, pure combustion engines are no longer to be built.