TOKYO SHOW UPDATE: At the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show, Subaru president and CEO Ikuo Mori announced that the brand will launch its first hybrid vehicle in 2012. This all-new fuel-sipper will feature technology showcased in the Hybrid Tourer Concept, which boasts Subaru's Symmetrical all-wheel drive, Lineartronic CVT, and a 2.0-liter direct-injected flat-4 combined with a lithium-ion battery. Subaru said its hybrid will be a version of an existing model, e.g. Forester Hybrid or Outback Hybrid, and not a standalone model a la the Toyota Prius. The HTC wears a bold hexagonal front grille that hints at the brand’s corporate face of tomorrow, and the overall design theme represents Subaru's idea of what an activity vehicle will look like in the future. Further, the HTC's use of LED front lighting will likely find its way into future products, and the 2.0-liter engine -- Subaru's first example of a turbocharged DI power plant -- will no doubt make its way under the hoods of upcoming Impreza and Legacy models.
Subaru Hybrid Tourer Concept Side
Subaru Hybrid Tourer Concept Rear Three Quarter
Subaru Hybrid Tourer Concept Rear
Subaru Hybrid Tourer Concept Doors Open
Subaru Hybrid Tourer Concept
Subaru Hybrid Tourer Concept Overhead
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: If there's one automaker that refuses to mess with success, it's Subaru. The quirky Japanese company has stuck to its boxer engines and standard AWD for decades and has carved out a nice niche for itself. As the realities of the 21st century sink in, though, even Subaru must adapt. The Subaru Hybrid Tourer Concept represents the first step.
Subaru Hybrid Tourer Concept Side
Though it may appear like an over-stylized, Japanese market Legacy Wagon on the outside, it's what's underneath that counts -- Subaru's first hybrid drivetrain, which combines a pair of electric motors and a lithium-ion battery with the tried-and-true Symmetrical AWD and boxer engine. The pair of electric motors -- one mounted at each axle -- can propel the car at low speeds or assist in acceleration as well as act as generators to recapture braking energy.
Primary power will come from a 2.0L horizontally-opposed, turbocharged and direct-injected four-cylinder engine. Likely a variant of the EJ20, it is the automaker's first direct-injected engine and is said to offer improved fuel efficiency and performance and lower emissions compared with its port-injected counterparts. It is also the first application of Subaru's start/stop technology, which shuts down the engine when the vehicle is stationary. The engine sends power to all four wheels via Subaru's new Lineartronic CVT.
Subaru Hybrid Tourer Concept Rear
The 20 kW (27 hp) rear electric motor will propel the car at low speeds, and assist in acceleration and hill climbing. The 10 kW (14 hp) front electric motor acts as a generator to recapture brake energy and recharge the lithium-ion battery but will also provide additional propulsion for climbing hills. The Hybrid Tourer Concept's total output isn't known as Subaru has not yet released power numbers for the gasoline engine.
In addition to the hybrid drivetrain, the Hybrid Tourer Concept will also showcase Subaru's Eyesight + (plus) technology, which uses stereo video cameras to track potential obstacles in the car's path and assist in collision avoidance. Able to recognize everything from pedestrians to cyclists to other vehicles, the system constantly monitors their positions and paths and also monitors the car's blind spots. It can also act as a lane departure warning system and as active cruise control.
The Hybrid Tourer's interior features plenty of concept car showbiz. For example, the top of the dashboard can be moved up or down "to provide an optimal driving environment for the driver depending on driving conditions," whatever that means. Other tricks include special windshield glass that will reduce driver eye strain, new leather that's more breathable, ventilated seats and a flat rear floor despite the AWD drivetrain, although as it has only four seats, Subaru seems to have gone to lot of effort for minimal benefit.
On the outside, the Hybrid Tourer Concept looks more or less like a brand new Japanese-market Legacy Wagon that's been remolded into a sportier shape. A faster D-pillar and stylized tail lights recall the sharp rake and lenses of the new Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback, but look far more aggressive than the rear of the Legacy Wagon. In front, Subaru's new design language has been exaggerated, with deep vents around the fog lights, a gaping grille, a more pronounced hood bulge and sharper headlights. Subaru has ditched the traditional four doors in favor of massive and highly impractical gullwing doors that do away with the B- and C-pillars and allow easy access to all four seats.
Subaru Hybrid Tourer Concept Interior
You can forget the show-floor eyewash -- the real story is Hybrid Tourer Concept's powertrain, which is almost certainly destined for production Subarus in the near future. The Eyesight + technology is also likely for production, though don't expect it in U.S. market Subarus. We'll find out more when the Hybrid Tourer Concept makes its debut at the Tokyo Motor Show on October 21 and 22
In addition to the Hybrid Tourer Concept, Subaru will have several other exhibits at the 2009 Tokyo Auto Show. Here are the highlights straight from Subaru:
Plug-in STELLA feat. BEAMS (Display model)
The Subaru Plug-in STELLA featuring BEAMS, developed based on the Subaru Plug-in STELLA launched this summer, offers a playful design by BEAMS, renowned specialty store, that enhances the joy of using an electric vehicle. The Subaru Plug-in STELLA electric vehicle (EV) combines the EV system with a compact and light body, for convenience in business use and advanced energy efficiency for daily commuting.
IMPREZA WRX STI CARBON (Display model)
Based on the Subaru Impreza WRX STI A-Line model with 5 speed automatic transmission that offers distinctive driving performance to a wider range of customers, the Subaru Impreza WRX CARBON features the use of carbon material in the roof to achieve both a significant weight reduction and a lower center of gravity. In addition, the suede fabric used in the interior enhances driving excitement and pride of ownership. EXIGA 2.0GT tuned by STI (Scheduled for market launch in Japan)
SUBARU TECNICA INTERNATIONAL inc. (STI), which manages Subaru motor sports activities, offers its latest proposal for a new seven-seater sports concept based on the multi-passenger Subaru EXIGA 2.0GT turbo model. The finely-tuned body and chassis elements ensure responsive and sporty handling for all drivers. In addition, the basic black sporty interior has a luxurious texture. This model integrates distinctive driving performance proposed by STI with the EXIGA's touring seven-seater concept, and is a proposal for new value in the minivan market. Lineartronic (CVT) cutaway model (Technology exhibit)
Lineartronic is a new generation transmission of Subaru first made available in the all-new Legacy and Outback. Lineartronic is the first longitudinally mounted chain-type CVT system for AWD production vehicles, combining the advanced transmission efficiency and infinite variability between the highest and lowest available ratios, helping to keep the engine operating in its most efficient range, with smooth acceleration, quick shift response, and superior fuel efficiency.
EyeSight featured in EXIGA 2.0GT EyeSight model (Technology exhibit)
Subaru's advanced technology places the highest priority on safety in any environment. The EyeSight advanced safety device is a driver assistance system that excels at pre-collision safety through the use of a stereo camera and a 3D image processing engine that detect both pedestrians and cyclists as well. This system includes functions that rely solely upon the stereo camera, such as pre-collision braking and AT mis-starting prevention control, as well as functions that reduce driving load, such as cruise control with all vehicle speed range tracking function.
EyeSight Functions
Cruise control with all vehicle speed range tracking function
Pre-collision braking control
AT mis-starting prevention control
Lane departure warning system
Wander warning
Leading vehicle motion notification function
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| Subaru Hybrid Tourer Concept |
Subaru Hybrid Tourer Concept
Subaru Hybrid Tourer Concept
Subaru Hybrid Tourer Concept
