Subaru is developing its own electric platform independent of Toyota
Image: Subaru
Subaru has unveiled a prototype based on an independently developed electric vehicle architecture. The concept car was shown to the media during a technology presentation at Subaru’s research center in Sano, Japan. Unlike the manufacturer’s previous battery-powered SUVs, which were designed in collaboration with Toyota, this new vehicle is built on Subaru’s own development.
The still camouflaged prototype uses a familiar body style as a test platform for the new technology. According to a report by the Spanish portal Motor.es, the vehicle is equipped with two electric motors at the front and rear axles, delivering a system power of around 380 kW (517 horsepower). It is said to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in less than four seconds.
Subaru is working with Panasonic Energy on battery development. Media reports indicate that a new battery pack using cylindrical cells has been developed, with its height intended to be reduced by about 25 percent compared to the previous design. This more compact structure allows heavier vehicle components to be positioned lower, expanding design options for flatter body styles.
The vehicle structure has been revised for the new electric architecture. Subaru adopts a concept that focuses on optimizing force transmission between the front and rear axles. According to Japanese industry reports, the time required for this force transmission can be reduced by about 30 percent. Meanwhile, the manufacturer aims to cut the weight of the chassis by 100 kilograms.
Parallel to this, Subaru is developing a new electronic vehicle architecture for so-called software-defined vehicles. A central control unit is intended to support functions such as driver assistance, autonomous driving features, and handling systems in the future, all of which can be updated via software updates. Subaru is developing the underlying chip together with AMD.
"By developing vehicles ourselves and possessing our own electric vehicle technologies, we can quickly offer our customers the safety and driving pleasure that define Subaru even during this period of change," said Takatomo Watamori, the development manager. "What’s crucial is whether the technology itself can adapt flexibly and whether our engineers can change and improve themselves."
No production vehicle based on Subaru’s new electric architecture has been announced for the German and European markets yet. The current European electric lineup includes the Solterra, Uncharted, and E-Outback, all of which are built on technology developed in collaboration with Toyota.
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Thomas Langenbucher is an expert in electromobility with professional experience in the automotive industry and finance sector. Since 2011, he has been covering electric vehicles, sustainable technologies, and mobility solutions for ecomento.de. Learn more.
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