First Subaru EV confirmed for 2022, Evoltis name likely
Subaru, a brand beloved by keen drivers everywhere, has announced that it will join the rush towards electric vehicles by rolling out a BEV before 2025, at least in Europe.
While some might have been hoping for a BRZ-style sporty coupe, Subaru has taken a more practical approach and will build a mid-sized SUV instead. Like the BRZ, however, it will be built on a shared Toyota platform, the one the giant Japanese car maker is using for its Toyota BZ.
The as yet unnamed Subaru (the brand trademarked the name Evoltis in 2018, but it is not known whether that will be used) will be around the size of the Forester, which suggests it will have at least a slightly different look and feel to the Toyota, which is reported to be more like the RAV4.
Underneath, however, things will be very similar. As is the case with the Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ twins, the two SUVs will share powertrains and interior parts. They will be based on Toyota’s e-TNGA architecture.
What will be interesting to see is whether Subaru’s version is all-wheel drive or not. The platform the new EV will be built on will be front-wheel drive in its base form but it would be simple enough to add a motor to the rear axle to create a more Subaru-like vehicle.
It’s possible, then, that a point of differentiation might be the Toyota BZ coming in a base model with FWD only, while the Subaru is AWD only.
Subaru’s first EV will be rolled out in Europe first but will then also be sold in the US and other markets. And, one day, probably even Australia.
