Subaru Solterra all electric car revealed

The Subaru Solterra, which was named by combining the Latin words for “Sun” and “Earth,” is built on the e-Subaru Global Platform, a new all-electric vehicle architecture.

Subaru Solterra

The Solterra EV brings the Subaru brand’s trusted reliability, state-of-the-art safety technology, and legendary symmetrical all-wheel drive engineering to an environmentally responsible all-electric SUV.

Subaru Corporation has made a commitment to apply electrification technologies to all Subaru vehicles sold worldwide by the first half of the 2030s and has announced their plans to continually develop and deliver products that meet societal needs and contribute to the environment through advanced technologies, thereby contributing to the protection of the global environment.

Blair Read, General Manager Subaru Australia, said: “The Solterra heralds a new era for the Subaru brand and its global reveal stirs great anticipation and excitement as we see the next expression of Subaru Corporation’s commitment to electrification.

“Whilst Subaru Corporation are yet to confirm a timeline for the Solterra in Australia, we are working very closely and future electric projects form part of ongoing dialogue between Subaru Australia and the factory.”

The specification mentioned throughout this release is in relation to the global reveal of the new Subaru Solterra. Specification that follows is from the global release and is accompanied by overseas imagery.

In developing Solterra, the brand’s first Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) to be launched globally, Subaru aimed to exceed the various customer expectations for BEVs and make it a practical vehicle so that customers can choose it comfortably and confidently, as the vehicle will be the cornerstone of Subaru’s future BEVs. At the same time, as a Subaru Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV), Subaru aimed to make it a vehicle that existing Subaru customers can feel that it truly is a Subaru.

By filling it with new values that a BEV can offer and the value of “enjoyment and peace of mind” that Subaru have cultivated over many years, Solterra has been built as an authentic SUV in an environmentally friendly package that can be used with peace of mind like the existing Subaru SUV models.

Subaru Solterra

Subaru Solterra Details

Exterior and Interior

  • The seamlessly shaped hexagon grille expresses the energy efficiency of a BEV. The body with the horizontal axis starting from that hexagon and the dynamic fenders bulging out from the inside show the strength as an SUV.
  • Low instrumental panel and top mounted meters, a first for Subaru, located on the instrumental panel and visible above the steering wheel realized the spacious interior.

e-SUBARU Global Platform

  • Utilizing the know-how cultivated with the highly recognized Subaru Global Platform, we have jointly developed the e-Subaru Global Platform together with Toyota Motor Corporation as a BEV-dedicated platform. The e-Subaru Global Platform enables a driving experience with superior driving dynamics, that brings high stability and handling linearly responds to driver’s steering operation.
  • High-capacity battery packs are placed under the floor as it is a BEV, and by utilizing that battery as a part of the structure, a low centre of gravity and high body strength and rigidity are realized.

Driving Performance/AWD System

  • Solterra has adopted a new system that drives the front and rear wheels with separate motors. Taking advantage of the expertise in AWD technology precisely controlling the four tires that Subaru has accumulated over many years, the agile response of the electric motors and the flexible driving force distribution between front and rear, Solterra fully utilizes the grips of the four wheels and offers a driving with confidence and peace of mind.
  • Like the other Subaru SUV models, Solterra features the X-Mode AWD control system that enhances the sense of security on rough roads. By adding the new Grip Control function, which enables the vehicle to run at a constant speed while stabilizing the vehicle even on rough roads, the capability is further enhanced.

Safety

  • By devising the skeleton shape of each part of the body and optimizing the material strength, Solterra achieves both weight reduction and superior collision safety at the same time.
  • In the event of a collision, the structure that transfers the load to multiple body skeletons efficiently absorbs the collision energy. It protects not only the vehicle occupants, but also protects the high-voltage equipment in the BEV.

For more details, please visit the Solterra special webpage. https://www.subaru-global.com/solterra/

Solterra is a vehicle which takes an important role for Subaru, the company aiming at “delivering happiness to all,” to face the challenges of global warming and climate change and continue to deliver smiles in the future.

The vehicle has been jointly developed by Toyota and Subaru, which entered into a new business and capital alliance in September 2019.

They brought together technologies and knowledges that are expertise of each under the slogan “Let’s make ever-better cars together” and the engineers of both companies developed it together while engaging in a friendly rivalry.

The launch of the Solterra will start by the middle of 2022 in the markets including Japan, the United States, Canada, Europe and China.

Subaru Solterra

Specification of Solterra (Japan model, in-house measurement)

  FWD Model AWD Model
Length × Width × Height (mm) 4,690 × 1,860 × 1,650
Cabin length (mm) 1,940
Cabin width (mm) 1,515
Cabin height (mm) 1,160 (normal / solar roof)
1,145 (glass roof)
Seating capacity 5
Wheelbase (mm) 2,850
Minimum turning radius (m) 5.7
Minimum ground clearance (mm) 210
Vehicle weight (kg) 1,930 ~ 2,020 ~
Gross vehicle weight (kg) 2,205 ~ 2,295 ~
Cruising range per charge (WLTC, Japan standard) (km) Approx. 530 Approx. 460
Motor Type AC synchronous electric motor
Maximum output (front motor) (kW) 150 80
Maximum output (rear motor) (kW) n/a 80
Maximum output (system) (kW) 150 160
Main drive battery Type Lithium-ion battery
Total power (kWh) 71.4
Total voltage (V) 355
AC charger maximum output (kW) 6.6
DC charging maximum output (kW) 50
Steering Rack Assist Type Electric Power Steering (EPS)
Suspension (Front / Rear) Strut-type coil spring / Double wishbone-type coil spring
Brakes (Front / Rear) Ventilated disc / Ventilated disc
Driveline Front-wheel drive All-wheel drive
Wheel 18 inch 18 inch
20 inch
Tyre 235/60R18 235/60R18
235/50R20
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About Rob Fraser 2506 Articles
Rob Fraser – General dogsbody & Director Rob is the founder of the business. He constantly mutters something about way too many red wines one evening being to blame. Often known for taking the 4WD in the driveway over the sports car, he has travelled pretty much everywhere in Australia and when he is bored goes for a drive. He first learned to drive on the farm in a left hand drive WW11 Jeep when he was 11, and was hooked on 4WDriving way back then. In addition to 4WD he is an avid motoring enthusiast and has maintained a strong interest in the industry ever since his teens. He has owned way too many cars in his time as well. Having previously lived at the top of corporate life he retired in 2000 and hasn’t put a suit and tie on since. Cars are his passion so why not have a business doing what you love he figures. He has towed either a caravan or camper trailer to most parts of Australia, has run guided tours for camper trailers’ and instructed drivers in off road towing.