Subaru hybrid concept set for Tokyo
It was only a matter of time before Subaru unveiled their first hybrid concept car and it's destined for next month’s Tokyo Motor Show.
The Subaru hybrid tourer concept car is what a concept is all about, firstly it has a gull wing-door design, something that's been missing from concept cars for some time. Subaru says the concept car combines environmentally friendly technology and safety as well as Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and horizontally opposed boxer engine credentials.
Some of the highlights include a flat rear floor to maximise passenger space, a new windscreen shielding to reduce driver eyestrain and a new leather seat covering developed with superior breathability.
The hybrid concept is powered by Subaru's next generation power unit which makes use of a 2.0-litre horizontally opposed direct injection turbocharged petrol engine coupled to Subaru's brand new Lineartronic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) and of course a hybrid system.
The hybrid system consists of two motors, a power/drive motor in the front and a drive motor in the rear. When the car is starting up or moving at slow speeds the electric motor will drive the car (similar to the Toyota Prius).
When driven under normal conditions the hybrid concept primraily makes use of the turbocharged petrol engine which if previous generation 2.0-litre force-fed Subaru engines are anything to go by, it's bound to be an awesome drive.
When accelerating the rear electric motor also assists and under heavy acceleration such as going uphill the front electric motor which is mainly used as a power generator will switch to assist in driving the front axle.
Similar to the Prius the Subaru hybrid will also turn its petrol engine off when it comes to a halt, further reducing fuel consumption.
Unlike the current Prius, the Subaru hybrid will make use of high-performance lithium-ion battery technology which the company says it has learned to optimise thakns to the all electric Subaru Plug-in STELLA vehicle.
This includes the use of a precise energy management system and regenerative brake controls, for improved fuel efficiency.
Subaru Hybrid major specifications
- Length x Width x Height: 4630 x 1890 x 1420 mm
- Engine type: 2.0-litre horizontally opposed direct fuel-injection turbo petrol engine
- Max output of hybrid motor: 10 kW (front) / 20 kW (rear)
- Transmission type: Lineartronic CVT
- Drive train: Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive with two motor assist
- Battery type: Lithium-ion battery
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