Subaru Solterra EV - no longer boxer, but not yet opposition

Subaru has just rolled out its first electric car – Solterra EV. We have the opportunity to get to know the new product better.


I admit honestly, in Japanese cars I watch them without bated breath. Most of them don't touch me. It would seem, what's wrong? Technologies, quality, consumer properties - everything is at the highest level. But there is not enough soul. Perhaps you need to go the way of the samurai to feel the mysterious Japanese "tamashi" with your heart. I went the other way. Therefore, "Japanese" for me are just good cars, nothing more. With rare exceptions.
To these very exceptions, I include Subaru cars. I love these cars. For courage, for loyalty to traditions, for the desire to be different from everyone else. Sometimes it seems to me that Subaru is not a car, it's a philosophy. My love is irrational and not based on years of relationships. But, having tried once, three decades ago, I fell in love unconditionally. And recently, after spending a month behind the wheel of the new Outback, I regretted that there was no Subaru in my life for so long.



And here we have the Solterra EV. The world is collapsing, gentlemen! At least my world. Because it's not a Subaru anymore.

Background

Solterra is built on the new e-SGN (Subaru Global Platform) electric platform. However, don't let the brand name fool you. This is a joint brainchild of Subaru Corporation and Toyota, originally bearing the name e-TNGA. This marriage is obviously not for love, but for convenience, and besides, it is unequal. "Toyota" on the sly seek to absorb "Subaru", the latter, as best he can, opposes.

The first full-fledged "baby" of this union was the Subaru BRZ/Toyota GT2011 coupe in 86. By the way, this year the second generation of this model was presented. But, despite the "Toyota" nameplates, the coupe was and remains flesh and blood Subaru - all-wheel drive and an opposite engine. A classic of the "Subaru" genre.

And with the e-TNGA platform, the situation is rather the opposite. As a partner more experienced in "electrical" matters, Toyota set the rules and rhythm. Maybe the “Subarovtsy” tried to somehow use their gene pool too, but, in fact, only the name is in their e-SGN from Subaru. And Solterra EV is a clone of Toyota bZ4X (the name of the model, it seems, was not invented by marketers, but by speech therapists).
The name Solterra consists of the words Sol (sun) and Terra (earth). Much better than the "Toyota" abracadabra, right?

Architecture

The "Toyota" e-TNGA platform is a logical continuation of the "trolley" TNGA on which modern Toyota models are built. The suspension of all wheels is independent. Front - classic McPherson struts, rear - double wishbones.
The platform is global and allows you to build cars of different sizes and formats. Some parameters, such as the distance from the engine shield to the front bumper or the dimensions of the cells for the batteries, remain fixed, other dimensions may vary from model to model. Lithium-ion batteries are integrated into the power structure of the body.



Unlike Toyota, the Subaru platform does not involve steering by wire - the connection between the wheels and the steering wheel remains rigid.

e-SGN implies the possibility of installing one or two engines. In the first case, the drive will be on the front wheels, and the front-mounted engine develops 208 hp. In the second version, there are two engines (on the front and rear axles), but they are weaker. Each produces 109 hp. The total power of the all-wheel drive car, therefore, only slightly exceeds the front-wheel drive version. The battery capacity is the same for all modifications - 71,4 kWh, which is enough to drive 460 or 530 km, depending on the number of drive wheels.



When setting up all-wheel drive, Toyota engineers held back their ambitions and gave way to recognized specialists in this field - wizards from Subaru. Through their efforts, the signature X-Mode all-wheel drive mode appeared on the crossover.

Exterior and interior

As I said, Solterra EV and Toyota bZ4X are twin brothers. The differences are minimal. Slightly different optics, original bumpers. That's all. Perhaps you can still notice that the Subarovtsy screwed foglights into the front bumper, but there is no such option on Toyota. So, the game "find ten differences" is doomed to failure - you won't find it.



I honestly try to see in the appearance of "Solterra" the generic features of "Subaru". Sometimes I even think for a moment that I see something that resembles an XV crossover. But a moment passes before my eyes - Toyota RAV4. "Toyota" genes were clearly stronger.
But we must frankly admit that the "Toyota outfit" looks good. An elongated swift silhouette, a complex play of edges on the sidewalls, a dashing spoiler above the tailgate. Not only girls will like it.



Overall dimensions of the crossover

• ✪ Length - 4690 mm
• ✪ Width - 1860 mm
• ✪ Height - 1650 mm
• ✪ Ground clearance - 210 mm
• ✪ Wheelbase - 2850 mm
  

The Solterra EV is nearly identical in size to the Forester. With the possible exception of the wheelbase, the Forester has this figure almost 20 cm less.

Inside, there are no differences from the Toyota at all, except for the emblem on the steering wheel. By the way, the steering wheel here looks traditional, unlike the foppish steering wheel on the Toyota in versions with electronic steering. The steering column, sewn into a massive casing, is adjustable in two planes in a wide range.



It is gratifying that many physical buttons have been preserved in the cabin. Some of the "climatic" functions are at the mercy of the sensors, but the tools on the steering wheel and the central tunnel are real push-buttons.
The gear lever, of course, is missing. The control of driving modes is entrusted to a rotating round selector and a scattering of keys to the right and left of it.



The monitor of the head media device has a diagonal of 12,4 inches (in the initial versions, however, the “TV” is smaller), good graphics and a quick touch response. With the functionality of the system is not yet clear, by the time the sales start, the content may change.
The instrument panel, as usual, is fully electronic and is carried far forward to the windshield. Unusually, but in fact it turns out to be very convenient - the look is refocused from the road to the instruments much faster.



In the back row, the advantages of an increased wheelbase are manifested - there is enough margin in length. However, there are also disadvantages of the "electric" layout - due to the batteries located under the bottom, the floor is raised high. But this still does not interfere with a comfortable fit.



In the trunk - a high floor and no "reserve". Instead, there is a place for the rear engine. The amount of cargo space has not yet been announced, but I think it will be within the limits accepted in the class. The second row seats, folding, form an almost flat area. Suitable for trips to IKEA.

Driving performance

We do not yet know how the Solterra rides and how its habits differ from the bZ4X. There hasn't been a driving presentation yet. Engineers say Subaru will behave differently from Toyota on the road. But, since all their hardware is identical, all differences will most likely be reduced to different settings of electronic systems.

Сonclusion

The start of sales of the new crossover is scheduled for the middle of next year. The model will be presented in all major markets. Production will be established at once at several factories in Japan and China.



Prices are not clear. As well as with whether Solterra will enter the Russian market. Most likely, if it hits, then with Toyota emblems.



And here's what I'll say in conclusion. I would really like to see Subaru become a part of my life again. But there is almost no faith in it. It's getting hard for me to love you, Subaru! Help...