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Subaru Australia is “very, very shut” to detailing its all-electric Solterra SUV for the native market, with the model’s native boss confirming it would solely be provided with all-wheel drive right here.
Blair Learn, managing director for Subaru Australia, advised CarExpert on the launch of the brand new Crosstrek that the Solterra – due within the second half of 2023 – might be “a real Subaru”.
“What I can inform you immediately is it’s due in half two. We’re very, very near saying last particulars on pricing and once we’ll go stay with pre-sales,” Mr Learn stated.
“It is going to be all-wheel drive solely, I can inform you that on spec. It is going to be a real Subaru – so all-wheel drive solely, nice floor clearance, X-Mode, so a correct Subaru SUV.”
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Abroad fashions pictured
“We’ll reveal extra on spec and pricing, and we’ll make that announcement very quickly. We’re getting very near with the ability to share all of that data on Solterra with the general public,” Mr Learn added.
Subaru will completely supply the Solterra with a dual-motor electrical drivetrain, regardless of an entry-level single-motor front-wheel drive choice being accessible in different markets.
In line with Japanese specs, the Solterra AWD places a 80kW/169Nm electrical motor on every axle, with system outputs rated at 160kW and 337Nm, hooked as much as a 71.4kWh lithium-ion battery pack.
The utmost AC cost fee is 6.6kW and the utmost DC cost fee is 150kW.
Vary varies relying on the wheel and tyre package deal fitted, with the bottom mannequin on 18-inch wheels quoting 542km of vary and the flagship mannequin on 20-inch wheels quoting 487km – each measured on the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism’s take a look at cycle.
The Solterra measures 4690mm lengthy, 1860mm large and 1650mm tall on a 2850mm wheelbase.
That makes it barely longer and wider than a Forester. Floor clearance is 210mm, or 10mm lower than a Forester, whereas kerb weight ranges between 1930kg and 2020kg.
Beforehand, Subaru Australia had indicated the all-electric crossover would lob Down Underneath through the first half of 2023, and because the authentic announcement has already acquired hundreds of expressions of curiosity. The corporate cited provide struggles for the latest delay.
Subaru and improvement companion Toyota have run into roadblocks whereas rolling out their first EVs globally – the Solterra is a twin to Toyota’s upcoming bz4X very like the BRZ is to the GR86 sports activities automobile.
A crippling wheel hub bolt challenge, which may trigger the wheels to fall off, sparked a enormous recall marketing campaign and halted manufacturing for months – Toyota USA even provided to purchase vehicles again – because the manufacturers scrambled to discover a answer.
Toyota Australia can also be slated to introduce the bz4X through the second half of 2023, having delayed its first assault on the ever-growing electrical automobile market in Australia by some 12 months.
Each automobiles sit on the co-created e-TNGA electrical structure (dubbed e-Subaru International Platform by Subaru). Luxurious arm Lexus has additionally put its personal spin on this platform, within the type of the brand new RZ which is launching Down Underneath this month.
Value positioning continues to be to be introduced for each automobiles, however whereas Mr Learn was pretty imprecise, Toyota has indicated the bz4X might be a premium providing in the identical approach the unique Prius was when it spearheaded the mass-introduction of hybrid know-how within the 2000s.
It’s unclear whether or not Subaru will observe an analogous method, however CarExpert understands the native division might be concentrating on a beginning worth inside a stone’s throw of its present Outback SUV flagship – which tops out at $55,990 plus on-road prices for the XT Touring, for those who low cost the $56,490 50 Years Version particular that was simply introduced this week.
Ought to the Solterra begin across the $60,000-$65,000 mark, it will undercut key rivals just like the Tesla Mannequin Y (from $69,300), in addition to the likes of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 (from $72,000) and Kia EV6 (from $72,590). Throw within the dual-motor AWD component, and the value hole widens additional for all of these established rivals.
Keep tuned to CarExpert for all the most recent Solterra information within the coming months.
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