Japanese carmaker Subaru has debuted its first 100% battery-powered car, the Solterra, with its Australian arm hinting that a local release may soon be on the cards.
The Solterra is a smart-looking electric SUV that will be available in overseas markets in both all-wheel and front-wheel drive, offering an estimated 530km driving range for the former and 460km driving range for the latter (based on Japanese WLTC lab ratings) from a 71.4kWh battery.
It is built on an dedicated all-electric platform developed in conjunction with fellow Japanese carmaker Toyota,and there have plenty of paralells drawn between the edgy electric SUV and its counterpart, the BZX4 which was unveiled in early November.
Subaru, citing overseas specifications, says the Solterra will be able to charge at a maximum rate of 6.6kW on an AC charger while on a DC fast charger it can charge at a top rate of 50kW.
With a 2.85m wheelbase, the 4.69m vehicle is 1.86m wide and 1.65m high, with a turning circle of 5.7m and 210mm ground clearance, and in its dual-motor configuration implements Subaru’s X-Mode AWD system with Grip Control for optimal rough-road driving.
The vehicle will go on show at the upcoming LA auto show on November 17, and first deliveries are expected to commence in Japan, the US, Europe and China by mid-2022.
GM for Subaru Australia Blair Read said in a statement that the carmaker’s local arm is in discussions with its global headquarters as to a possible Australian launch.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
