Official: Subaru Solterra (EV) ...coming 2022

[R P]

More Solterra pics.
https://insideevs.com/news/532366/ne...baru-solterra/

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[electricmarquis]

Lets hope that massive screen is not laggy like the the current infotainment system. I guess having the batteries low in the chassis kinda makes a boxer engine low center of gravity a mute point. 100% of EV will have batteries in the floor.

[Snow Drift]

Originally Posted by electricmarquis

Lets hope that massive screen is not laggy like the the current infotainment system. I guess having the batteries low in the chassis kinda makes a boxer engine low center of gravity a mute point. 100% of EV will have batteries in the floor.

Low center of gravity, symmetrical weight distribution. Subaru EV can still have that for the most part. Then add in Subaru's own flavor of software to control the motors/TCS/VDC to enhance grip and performance.

Not every EV will perform or react the same.

[SCRAPPYDO]

Originally Posted by R P

More Solterra pics.
https://insideevs.com/news/532366/ne...baru-solterra/

So apparently Subaru is going all in on the black wheel arches. Shame, this could have been a good looking vehicle except the useless gaping maw of a mouth that is useless. Very Lexus GX otherwise.

[dwf137]

Originally Posted by SCRAPPYDO

So apparently Subaru is going all in on the black wheel arches. Shame, this could have been a good looking vehicle except the useless gaping maw of a mouth that is useless. Very Lexus GX otherwise.

It might not be only Subaru though - the Toyota version has the same monstrous wheel arches, although theirs are painted and it looks like Subaru's are unpainted.

[bemani]

SUBARU EV SUV : SOLTERRA TEASER MOVIE - YouTube

SUBARU EV SUV : SOLTERRA TEASER MOVIE - YouTube

[Straight6]

Whoa, that looks really good and upscale. Can easily pass for a Lexus.

[dwf137]

Originally Posted by Straight6

Whoa, that looks really good and upscale. Can easily pass for a Lexus.

except that it's identical to a toyota... so there's that.

[4S-TURBO]

That could easily pass for a Subaru. Good job Toyota!

[MtnXfreeride]

The back looks like 25 years ago styling. The shape of the black plastics on the front wheel arch look awkward too.

This thing better have a proper under chassis battery and not eat trunk and frunk space. It needs a 5 second 0-60 like the BASE $40k f150 lightning, a good sized front trunk since the rear trunk looks small, and a proper tow rating, and I think it would sell.

Unfortunately it seems like toyota and subaru are far behind the curve and my prediction is they will put this out and only sell in a few states and itll be super overpriced and slow and a weak range. They've just done so bad proving they can do electric anything based on the hybrids. How little they are showing and telling us for specs has me thinking a big letdown is coming.

[heavyD]

Originally Posted by 4S-TURBO

That could easily pass for a Subaru. Good job Toyota!

It's pretty ugly even for a Subaru.

[dwf137]

Originally Posted by MtnXfreeride

Unfortunately it seems like toyota and subaru are far behind the curve and my prediction is they will put this out and only sell in a few states and itll be super overpriced and slow and a weak range. They've just done so bad proving they can do electric anything based on the hybrids. How little they are showing and telling us for specs has me thinking a big letdown is coming.

I'm not sure these things belong in the same sentence. Toyota has pretty much set the bar for hybrids. Subaru's adaptation of Toyota's platform has admittedly been lackluster. The one thing this project has going for it is that Toyota seems to be the mastermind, not Subaru. I'm curious to see how they differentiate the two because if I had to pick one, I'd be looking at the Toyota for better dealership service, to be honest.

[Snow Drift]

Originally Posted by dwf137

I'm not sure these things belong in the same sentence. Toyota has pretty much set the bar for hybrids. Subaru's adaptation of Toyota's platform has admittedly been lackluster. The one thing this project has going for it is that Toyota seems to be the mastermind, not Subaru. I'm curious to see how they differentiate the two because if I had to pick one, I'd be looking at the Toyota for better dealership service, to be honest.

Toyota is very far behind the rest of the OEMs when it comes to BEV. Mr. Toyoda has fought the transition openly and continues to push Fuel Cell. Not to say that they can't catch up.

[dwf137]

Originally Posted by Snow Drift

Toyota is very far behind the rest of the OEMs when it comes to BEV. Mr. Toyoda has fought the transition openly and continues to push Fuel Cell. Not to say that they can't catch up.

Extrapolating from my comment a bit. I merely stated that Toyota has very successful hybrids, so that shouldn't be a knock on their ability to do anything electrified. They've had plug-in hybrids with electric only ability for like 10 years now. The latest Rav-4 Prime is pretty impressive for what it is too.

Subaru's implementation of Toyota's hybrid technology has been lackluster. That's not news. But this isn't Subaru slapping a toyota component in a subaru drivetrain. It's subaru re-badging a toyota vehicle.

While Toyoda is still hard-pushing fuel cells, I have a lot more confidence in Toyota making an EV than most other Japanese manufacturers, Nissan aside just because of how long they've been making the Leaf.

[Snow Drift]

Originally Posted by dwf137

Extrapolating from my comment a bit. I merely stated that Toyota has very successful hybrids, so that shouldn't be a knock on their ability to do anything electrified. They've had plug-in hybrids with electric only ability for like 10 years now. The latest Rav-4 Prime is pretty impressive for what it is too.

Subaru's implementation of Toyota's hybrid technology has been lackluster. That's not news. But this isn't Subaru slapping a toyota component in a subaru drivetrain. It's subaru re-badging a toyota vehicle.

While Toyoda is still hard-pushing fuel cells, I have a lot more confidence in Toyota making an EV than most other Japanese manufacturers, Nissan aside just because of how long they've been making the Leaf.

PHEVs with tiny batteries and limited range is not the same as a BEV. We have yet to see anything over a decade from Toyota regarding serious BEV technology until recently. All of the Japanese OEMs are behind and I only think Nissan has foot in the door because of Renault.

Subaru's implementation is as good as it could be with the Toyota tech. The Rav4 Prime is a very different mechanical layout and thus gets more range (FWD + e-axle vs. full time AWD via MPT)

[JustyWRC]

Originally Posted by dwf137

Extrapolating from my comment a bit. I merely stated that Toyota has very successful hybrids, so that shouldn't be a knock on their ability to do anything electrified. They've had plug-in hybrids with electric only ability for like 10 years now. The latest Rav-4 Prime is pretty impressive for what it is too.

Subaru's implementation of Toyota's hybrid technology has been lackluster. That's not news. But this isn't Subaru slapping a toyota component in a subaru drivetrain. It's subaru re-badging a toyota vehicle.

While Toyoda is still hard-pushing fuel cells, I have a lot more confidence in Toyota making an EV than most other Japanese manufacturers, Nissan aside just because of how long they've been making the Leaf.

This is not true.

[Snow Drift]

Originally Posted by JustyWRC

This is not true.

I would like to see what exactly Subaru did mechanically. The E-TNGA is Toyota's baby.

Maybe Subaru did their own software massaging to allow more slipping or to prevent rear motor sleep. Outside of that?

[chanomatik]

Originally Posted by Snow Drift

I would like to see what exactly Subaru did mechanically. The E-TNGA is Toyota's baby.

Maybe Subaru did their own software massaging to allow more slipping or to prevent rear motor sleep. Outside of that?

I guess I'm curious to know what a joint venture looks like beyond Subaru's AWD know-how, along with their safety technology? If that's integrated into Toyota's platform, that doesn't mean it's Toyota's car with Subaru's badging on it. If Toyota designs it and adds their electrical know-how, that seems joint enough for me. I might be missing something though?

[Snow Drift]

Originally Posted by chanomatik

I guess I'm curious to know what a joint venture looks like beyond Subaru's AWD know-how, along with their safety technology? If that's integrated into Toyota's platform, that doesn't mean it's Toyota's car with Subaru's badging on it. If Toyota designs it and adds their electrical know-how, that seems joint enough for me. I might be missing something though?

I'm a fanboy as much as anyone and I agree there are technical and philosophical nuances from Subaru but...

AWD know-how? It is an EV with two motors. The differences will be purely software based.

Safety technology? What proprietary tech are in our cars vs everyone else? Ring frame?

[chanomatik]

Originally Posted by Snow Drift

I'm a fanboy as much as anyone and I agree there are technical and philosophical nuances from Subaru but...

AWD know-how? It is an EV with two motors. The differences will be purely software based.

Safety technology? What proprietary tech are in our cars vs everyone else? Ring frame?

I have no clue, but if Subaru wasn't contributing anything meaningful, why wouldn't Toyota just release this car on their own, a long time ago? And why aren't there more PHEVs, EVs, etc with "AWD"? I legitimately don't know how these things work. All I know is that people online often make things sound easy, but if it were ever as easy as they state then they'd already be here.

[Snow Drift]

Originally Posted by chanomatik

I have no clue, but if Subaru wasn't contributing anything meaningful, why wouldn't Toyota just release this car on their own, a long time ago? And why aren't there more PHEVs, EVs, etc with "AWD"? I legitimately don't know how these things work. All I know is that people online often make things sound easy, but if it were ever as easy as they state then they'd already be here.

Subaru chipped in money. They all have to make EVs due to CAFE and ROW rules. Subaru can't afford to do 100% of the work, so they are sharing the bill with Toyota...so, they both get a version.

Just about all modern/future EVs offer AWD via dual motor. The current PHEV/EVs with FWD or e-Axle AWD [Leaf, Prius, Rav4 Prime, Outlander) are that way bc it is more efficient and cheaper (same reason why their ICE are FWD). The Crosstrek PHEV is full time AWD, but not as efficient (same as their ICE).

[JustyWRC]

Originally Posted by Snow Drift

I would like to see what exactly Subaru did mechanically. The E-TNGA is Toyota's baby.

Maybe Subaru did their own software massaging to allow more slipping or to prevent rear motor sleep. Outside of that?

Originally Posted by chanomatik

I guess I'm curious to know what a joint venture looks like beyond Subaru's AWD know-how, along with their safety technology? If that's integrated into Toyota's platform, that doesn't mean it's Toyota's car with Subaru's badging on it. If Toyota designs it and adds their electrical know-how, that seems joint enough for me. I might be missing something though?

[chanomatik]

Originally Posted by Snow Drift

Subaru chipped in money. They all have to make EVs due to CAFE and ROW rules. Subaru can't afford to do 100% of the work, so they are sharing the bill with Toyota...so, they both get a version.

Just about all modern/future EVs offer AWD via dual motor. The current PHEV/EVs with FWD or e-Axle AWD [Leaf, Prius, Rav4 Prime, Outlander) are that way bc it is more efficient and cheaper (same reason why their ICE are FWD). The Crosstrek PHEV is full time AWD, but not as efficient (same as their ICE).

Originally Posted by JustyWRC

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a1...uture-subarus/

Adaptability will also be baked into the Global Platform itself, enabling the fitment of gasoline, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, full electric, and "other types" of powertrains.

[Snow Drift]

Originally Posted by chanomatik

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a1...uture-subarus/

The Solterra is on Toyota's modular skateboard e-TNGA platform. It is not SGP from 2016. I realize the Subaru PR calls it e-SGP, but it is not the same.

e-TNGA is all Toyota. Here is their presentation from 2019. The platform will underpin 6 models, of which most are Toyotas. They are also making Suzuki and Daihatsu vehicles on the platform.

https://global.toyota/en/newsroom/co.../28474382.html

Here is autoweek 2020:
https://www.autoweek.com/news/green-...ev-for-europe/
"[Solterra] will be built on a platform shared with Toyota, the company said. Subaru had previously planned for its first electric car to be based on an existing model built on its own Global Platform, but decided to go with the shared platform."

[chanomatik]

Ah. Good info! Seems like an easy in for Subaru then before fully committing to their own thing.