The Subaru Solterra could end an Aussie tradition

Subaru’s first EV, the Solterra, could also be its first front-wheel drive vehicle in Australian showrooms in decades.

The Japanese brand hasn’t sold a front-wheel drive car here since 1998, building a strong reputation based on all-wheel drive. The only recent exception has been the rear-wheel drive BRZ sports car.

The good news for fans of the Subaru brand intrigued by the Solterra is an all-wheel drive version also exists.

The rider on all this is no Solterra model is confirmed for Australia, unlike its very close relation, Toyota’s bZ4X, with which it shares almost all exterior and interior design and technical underpinnings.

However, Subaru Australia general manager Blair Read was striking a positive tone in a press release accompanying first images and details of the Solterra.

“Whilst Subaru Corporation are yet to confirm a timeline for the Solterra in Australia, we are working very closely and future electric projects form part of ongoing dialogue between Subaru Australia and the factory.

“The Solterra heralds a new era for the Subaru brand and its global reveal stirs great anticipation and excitement as we see the next expression of Subaru Corporation’s commitment to electrification.”

The front-wheel drive Solterra would tempt Subaru Australia because it would be cheaper than the AWD. Toyota has already signalled the bZ4X is going to be expensive. Rivals such as the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and upcoming Kia EV6 – Kia has already hinted the car will be its most expensive yet – are not cheap.

But going that way also walks back its long-held commitment to all-wheel drive, which is a cornerstone of its local identity.

Subaru Corporation has promised to apply electrification technologies to all Subaru vehicles sold worldwide by the first half of the 2030s

The Solterra, which was named by combining the Latin words for Sun and Earth, is built on the e-Subaru Global Platform, a new all-electric vehicle architecture developed with Toyota (which calls it e-TNGA).

The architecture will be the basis for a series of Toyota and Subaru battery electric vehicles in coming years.

A five-door five-seat cross-over similar in size to a Subaru Forester, the Solterra makes its formal global debut at the LA auto show this week. Roll-out into dealerships will start by the middle of 2022 in markets including Japan, the United States, Canada, Europe and China.

Both front and all-wheel drive Solterras employ a 71.4 kWh lithium-ion battery pack mounted under the vehicle’s floor and used as a structural chassis member. This feeds a 150kW ‘e-axle’ synchronous motor in the FWD and an 80kW e-motors on each axle of the AWD.

E-motor behaviour can be adjusted by the driver through three modes: Eco, Normal and Power.

The Solterra’s 355V charging system cannot match the 800V systems of rivals like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6. It can draw a maximum 6.6kW AC charge and DC fast-charge at a rate up to 150kW.

The Solterra employs more efficient heat-pump air-conditioning as well as seat and steering wheel heating. It uses paddle shifters to adjust regenerative braking levels. A solar roof option is available.

The FWD’s range is estimated at up to 530km and the AWD claims 460km maximum based on the WLTC Japanese standard.

The FWD weighs in at 1930kg, while the AWD is 90kg heavier at 2020kg.

Both vehicles measure up at 4690mm long, 1860mm wide and 1650mm high. The wheelbase is a long 2850mm and along with the compact powertrain is expected to help create additional cabin space. Cabin length is 1940mm and cabin width 1515mm.

The Solterra employs strut front- and double wishbone rear-suspension, electric assist rack and pinion steering, ventilated disc brakes and a choice of 18- and 20-inch wheels.

For those interested in taking the Solterra off-road, in AWD guise it features a versions of X-Mode all-wheel drive controls as orthodox Subarus and there’s a new ‘Grip Control’ feature that’s essentially a low-speed cruise control.

Subaru has confirmed equipment such as a digital key, 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless smartphone charging, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connection.