Subaru currently offers three all-electric models in its lineup, all three developed in partnership with Toyota. But the smaller Japanese automaker is set to go it alone, revealing plans for a new EV its developed entirely in-house. More from Headlight.News.
The new Subaru EV platform will feature two motors delivering up to 510 combined hp.
In its push to get into the EV market, Subaru took an expedient route, turning to its long-time alliance partner for help. The smaller maker’s three models, Solterra, Uncharted and Trailseeker, are essentially rebadged versions of Toyota’s bZ4, C-HR and bZ Woodland.
During the Japan Mobility Show, however, Subaru confirmed reports that it is ready to go it alone with an all-new EV developed in-house.
“By developing vehicles in-house and having EV technologies on our own, we can quickly deliver to our customers the peace of mind and driving pleasure that define Subaru, even in this era of change,” said Takatomo Watamori, Subaru’s executive officer in charge of engineering.
What’s new
The new EV platform is being tested using a Subaru Outback body as a test mule.
Subaru has partnered with Toyota on a number of projects. Until Solterra – its first EV – came out, the best-known example was the two-seat sports car sold as both the Subaru BRZ and Toyota 86. They went on to jointly develop three all-electric models, and a fourth, the three-row Getaway, will join the lineup next year.
But Subaru is now developing an all-electric platform of its own, the first model to use it scheduled to debut in 2029, company officials said in Tokyo.
The carmaker offered a hint of what’s to come at the Japan Mobility Show, as well as at its R&D center in Sano, Japan. For now, however, it’s relying on a test mule using the body of an Outback SUV, rather than revealing the upcoming EV’s design. The production version, it confirmed, will actually be slightly larger than the familiar Outback.
Under the skin
Subaru says the new platform will be lighter and more efficient than what’s underpinning its current EVs, such as this 2026 Solterra.
Most importantly, Subaru officials stressed, the new EV will pick up Subaru’s classic driving dynamics, rather than striking the sort of balance that was required while partnering with the bigger Toyota.
That starts with an entirely new platform said to be about 220 pounds lighter than what underpins Subaru’s current EVs, the e-TNGA architecture. The platform is twin-motor all-wheel-drive, though Subaru did not indicate whether it might also have a single-engine base package. Combined power is said to reach a peak 510 horsepower, enough to launch from 0-100 km, or 0-62 mph, in less than four seconds. To put that into perspective, the upcoming Subaru Getaway will deliver 420 hp while the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, the Korean brand’s most powerful EV, makes a nominal 601 hp.
The new Subaru EV will use batteries supplied by Panasonic Energy. With 4,000 cylindrical cells, the pack is about 25% more energy dense, meaning more power in a smaller, lighter package than what’s in Subaru’s current EVs.
The Japanese brand isn’t completely severing ties to Toyota, however, turning to Aisin, a member of the industry’s giant’s keiretsu, or supplier network, for those motors. They’re smaller, lighter and about 30% more efficient than what’s the current industry norm, according to a report by Automotive News. The front motor is rated at 201 hp, the rear at 308,
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EV competition heats up, even as sales flatten out
Traditional automakers know they’ve got challenges ahead keeping up with Chinese brands like BYD.
Subaru’s move might seem surprising considering the way a number of competitors have slowed down their own EV programs. Honda, for one, has scrapped plans to build an “EV hub” in mid-Ohio, while pulling all pure battery-electric models from the U.S. as sales lose momentum.
But while the growth of the EV market may have slowed a bit in other markets, as well, demand is expected to continue growing through the rest of this decade. The only real question is whether U.S. momentum may bounce back, especially with fuel prices hovering at near record levels.
If anything, sales of “New Energy Vehicles, including EVs and PHEVs, continues to surge in China, the world’s largest automotive market. Meanwhile, the Chinese are rapidly expanding auto exports that emphasize both plug-ins and pure electric models. Brands like BYD and Geely now hold a record 14% of the EU EV segment. They’ve gained that foothold by delivering a mix of new products with cutting-edge technology as well as comparatively low prices.
New technology
As the new electric drive system demonstrates, Subaru wants to increase the competitiveness of its in-house EVs from a technology standpoint.
The automaker plans to introduce new safety features designed to protect both passengers and the battery pack in event of a collision. That will include both active, digitally controlled features meant to prevent a crash, and new chassis designs that will enhance passive safety where a collision does occur.
Subaru also is developing a new electronic control unit, or ECU, Automotive News reported, in cooperation with American semiconductor company Advanced Micro Devices. It will be faster and more efficient than what’s currently used in the vehicles jointly developed with Toyota.
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