Subaru is preparing to sell its first electric car in Australia.
The Solterra will go out of service in the first half of 2023, but Subaru already has a left-hand drive development car on Australian soil.
“We are working closely with the dealer network on the preparation, both from the point of view of the facilities for an electric vehicle, but also… giving them a deep understanding of the vehicle, so that they can convey it. doing it in a way that suits its customers,” Subaru Australia manager, director Blair Read, told CarExpert.
Subaru makes no commitments about the number of vehicles it will bring to Australia, nor the model range or price, given the “dynamic” nature of our electric vehicle market.
“We will leave options on the table until we get a little closer and make the call at that point,” Mr. Read said.
Solterra measures 4690mm long, 1860mm wide and 1650mm tall on a 2850mm wheelbase. That makes it slightly longer and wider than the Forester.
Ground clearance is 210mm, or 10mm less than a foresterwhile curb weight ranges from 1930kg to 2020kg.
A twin with Toyota bZ4xSolterra will also offer a choice of single-engine or dual-engine front-wheel drive variants. Subaru has yet to confirm its arrival in Australia.
The front-wheel drive model generates 150kW of power and has a range of around 530km on the tighter WLTP cycle, while the all-wheel drive model has 160kW and a range of 460km.
Both variants use a 71.4kWh lithium-ion battery with a maximum AC charger output of 6.6kW and a maximum DC charging output of 150kW.
Solterra is underpinned by a new electric vehicle architecture, co-developed by Subaru and Toyota, formerly known as e-Subaru Global Platform and later e-TNGA.
The dual-motor all-wheel drive variant features an X-Mode AWD control system developed by Subaru, like other Subaru SUVs. It is also available with 20-inch alloy wheels, while the FWD model is only available with 18s.
There is the option of a solar roof for trickle charging or a panoramic glass roof.
Exterior changes for Solterra include a revised grille area, different fog lights, LED daytime running lights and different taillights.
Interior changes are barely noticeable. There’s no steering wheel like the bZ4x is for the Chinese market, but on the contrary, it all looks like Toyota with its high-mounted digital instrument cluster and unusual upholstery on the dashboard.
When it touches down, Solterra will take in everything from Hyundai Ioniq 5 arrive Tesla Model Yalong with the related Toyota bZ4x.
