Subaru and Toyota Collaborate on New Electric SUVs
Toyota and Subaru recently announced that they will work together to build all-electric vehicles, develop driverless cars and acquire even more stock in each other’s companies. The automakers started their partnership back in 2005 resulting in the development of the Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ sports cars. This expanded relationship will see the companies manufacture newer generations of those two cars and will bring them together to develop technology for autonomous vehicles.
The two Japanese companies will also work together on battery electric vehicles which use Subaru’s all-wheel drive and Toyota’s electrification technologies. Toyota’s hybrid technology was already being used in Subaru’s Crosstrek Hybrid SUV. The first all-electric vehicles in this collaboration will focus on the development of new mid-size and large SUVs.
Subaru will produce these all-wheel drive vehicles under their own brand and use Toyota technology to design new eco-performance models. Toyota currently owns a 16.77 percent share in Subaru Corporation and plans to purchase additional shares to own 20 percent.
This joint project will help Subaru, the smallest Japanese automaker, to invest in and develop a line of all-electric, all-wheel drive models, focusing on the global shift towards lower emission vehicles. Subaru already tapped into Toyota’s hybrid electric technologies to develop its 2019 Crosstrek plug-in hybrid that launched in the U.S. last year.
Subaru will likely develop its hybrid technology for entirely new SUV offerings but use Toyota’s electric drivetrain technologies in order to come out with all-electric versions of its Outback, Forester and Crosstrek models. Customers can expect Subaru to introduce new all-wheel drive, all-electric midsize and large passenger SUV models in the U.S. market in 2022.
Subaru's EV SUV Concept Offers Pure "Adrenaline"
Subaru unveiled a new concept vehicle at the Geneva Motor Show last year called the Adrenaline, that might offer a preview of what we might see from this joint venture with Toyota. Some say it might be the next incarnation of the Crosstrek. The rugged two-door, subcompact crossover is a visually bold SUV that looks to be perfect for the outdoorsy, active-lifestyle customers that make up Subaru’s bread and butter.
All-terrain tires wrap round sinister black wheels. Black front and rear skid plates and aggressive wheel guards give this concept car a Mad Max look. A vented hood leads to a swept-back windshield showcasing two forward-facing cameras that are used in the car’s EyeSight driver assist features. At the rear, a divided roof spoiler and LED taillights add to Adrenaline’s rally-inspired look. To bring this concept creation to life, Subaru has registered copyrights on the name Evoltis.
The Evoltis Will Be Subaru's First All-Electric SUV
This just in. According to media reports, Subaru will debut its first all-electric SUV at the Tokyo Motor Show in October, 2021, and its name is indeed Evoltis. Projected range is a very healthy 310 miles and the vehicle is said to be about the same size as Subaru’s Crosstrek.
If the concept car is any indication of what we might see from this new partnership from Toyota and Subaru, we are more than fascinated. The Evoltis could well set the pace for eye-catching design and special tech features that will be carried across the new all-electric model line-up from Subaru. We can’t wait!
