Subaru Australia is joining the ranks of all-electric car makers with the announcement its Solterra EV is headed for Australia some time in 2023. The mid-sized SUV will feature symmetrical all-wheel drive, active safety tech and adventure capabilities.
Its first electric vehicle, the Solterra is built on the e-Subaru Global Platform, a new EV specific architecture, that takes the car maker’s existing platform and enhances for use as a BEV-dedicated setup.
The platform enables superior driving dynamics, high stability and linear handling. Due to functions of axle motors at the front and rear, power distribution and brake vectoring are controlled continuously and precisely to maintain grip for each wheel.
Grip optimised to road conditions assures stable traction on wet or slippery surfaces. It’s paired with Subaru’s X-Mode all-wheel drive control system too, ensuring a sense of security on rough roads.
By adding a new Grip Control function, which enables the vehicle to run at a constant speed while stabilising the vehicle even on rough roads, that capability is further enhanced.
From a design perspective, the new SUV sports a seamlessly shaped hexagon grille, while the body, with the horizontal axis starting from that grille, is paired with bulging fenders to give the impression of strength.
The Solterra’s cockpit layout represents Subaru’s design philosophy of visibility, simplicity and ease-of-use. Essential information for safe driving is displayed on a low-mounted instrument panel and high-visibility console.
High-capacity battery packs are placed under the floor, and by utilising that battery as a part of the structure, a low centre of gravity and high body strength and rigidity are achieved.
By devising the skeleton shape of each part of the body and optimising the material strength, the Solterra achieves both weight reduction and superior collision safety at the same time.
In the event of a collision, the structure that transfers the load to multiple body skeletons efficiently absorbs the collision energy. It protects not only the vehicle occupants, but also protects the high-voltage equipment in the BEV.
More details will be available in the lead up to launch. Interested customers are encouraged to register their interest at https://www.subaru.com.au/solterra
