There’s no denying that electric vehicles represent the future of transportation, and with a growing number of governments around the world implementing EV-only production requirements within the next decade or two, practically every major manufacturer has already begun making this tectonic shift. Among them is Subaru, which has recently partnered with Toyota to develop what the two firms are calling their “e-TNGA” EV architecture. And after previously debuting Toyota’s bZ4X, the partnership has now yielded Subaru’s first-ever all-electric model with the forthcoming Solterra.
Translating to “Sun Earth,” the Solterra is a BEV (or “Battery Electric Vehicle”) that maintains Subaru’s signature brand of off-road readiness — with semi-long travel suspension, the brand’s adventure-ready “X-Mode” plus a new “Control” mode, and a cutting-edge all-wheel drive system — albeit in a markedly more environmentally friendly and sustainable package. The Solterra will initially be offered in two variants, a 201-hp front-wheel-drive model and a 214-hp dual-motor version, with 0-60mph times of 8.4 and 7.7 seconds, respectively. Both variants draw energy from a 71.4kWh battery pack that affords a range of approximately 280 miles on a single charge. The Solterra’s design is another blatant highlight, with an unmistakably sleek exterior that sports a molded hexagon grille and a panoramic glass roof, along with an equally impressive cabin with a massive central touchscreen display.
Though pricing and market availability have yet to be announced, the Shibuya City firm has stated that the Subaru Solterra is scheduled for a global release in mid-2022.
