Subaru Hybrid Tourer Concept revealed ahead of Tokyo 2009

Subaru decided to reveal its latest creation, the Hybrid Tourer Concept ahead of the 2009 edition Tokyo Motor Show.

The Subaru Hybrid Tourer Concept features an advanced powering system composed from a 2.0-litre horizontally-opposed direct fuel-injection engine that uses a turbocharger and runs on gasoline plus the company's well known Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system that features an electric motor on each axle that are powered by a high performance lithium-ion battery pack.

The two electric motors capable of 10 kW at the front and 20 kW at the back power the Subaru Hybrid Tourer Concept in situations like going uphill or when the engine is not needed.

The Subaru Hybrid Tourer Concept puts power to the ground through a Lineartronic Contiuously Variable Transmission and systems that increase efficency like start/stop or regenerative braking have also been added.

As far as design the Subaru Hybrid Tourer Concept features gullwing doors while interior gadgets like the stereo camera help detecting pedestrians and cyclists.

Subaru press release :

Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (FHI), the maker of Subaru automobiles, today announced the major highlights that will be displayed at the 41st Tokyo

Motor Show 2009. On the theme of ‘Take a Moment to Free Your Mind”, FHI will showcase Subaru’s efforts to integrate enjoyable and dependable driving with the global environment.

FHI will present the “SUBARU HYBRID TOURER CONCEPT”, a new proposal for the future of grand touring car that integrates environmental friendliness, driving performance, and safety at a high level. In addition, FHI will unveil the “Plug-in STELLA feat. BEAMS”. Designed in collaboration with the renowned specialty store BEAMS, the fully electric car is based on the Plug-in STELLA launched this summer in Japan. The company will also showcase a special version of Impreza WRX STI exclusively tuned for further enhancement of its sporty performance, as well as other production models such as the new Legacy. Besides showcasing these models, FHI will exhibit Subaru’s latest safety technologies, such as the “EyeSight”, an advanced driving assist system with pre-collision control using stereo camera technology.

A press conference by President Ikuo Mori is scheduled on Wednesday, October 21, at 12:10, at the Subaru booth (Center Hall).

Major exhibits

SUBARU HYBRID TOURER CONCEPT (Concept car)

1. Concept

Subaru has condensed its DNA, developed over many years around the Subaru’s core technology of “Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (AWD)” and “Horizontally-Opposed Boxer Engine”, into the integration of a luxurious and high-quality cabin atmosphere and an eye-catching sculpted body. The concept car features Subaru’s latest evolutions in handling agility, riding comfort and superior safety performance. It proposes Subaru’s vision of a future grand touring car that excels in environmental friendliness thanks to Subaru’s unique hybrid system.

2. Design and packaging

    *  Exterior

      Subaru imagined wings with a feeling of freedom and confidence for driving far and wide in any environment. A luxurious and comfortable cabin, and advanced driving performance are contained within a sculpted aerodynamic form. The design features a combination of bright, open glass areas with a solid, reliable body.

    *  Interior

      The original point of the ideal grand touring car is its interior design, featuring four independent and comfortably positioned seats. Passengers are enclosed within an atmosphere that provides a surpassing feeling of openness and stress-free reassurance, through the further pursuit of a human-centered philosophy, the essence of Subaru car design, and the incorporation of functions that are friendly to passengers.
          o  The top of the dashboard is movable up and down to provide an optimal driving environment for the driver according to driving conditions.
          o  A flat floor in the rear seat was achieved even with the implementation of AWD, for improved use and movement inside the cabin.
          o  Specialized shielding is incorporated in the windshield to reduce eyestrain on the driver.
          o  New leather covering developed with superior breathability and a ventilation function is used in the seats for improved comfort and texture.

3. Mechanisms

In addition to refinements to Subaru’s core technology such as Symmetrical AWD and Horizontally-Opposed Boxer Engine, further enhancements were made for improved environmental friendliness, driving performance and high safety performance by offering a next-generation power unit system and advanced safety technologies.

    *  Next-generation power unit system

      2.0-liter Horizontally-Opposed direct fuel-injection turbo gasoline engine

      The Horizontally-Opposed turbo gasoline engine, with a reputation for powerful acceleration, is combined with a direct fuel-injection system for improvements in fuel efficiency and reduced emissions, and improved torque and response in practical range. This evolution in Subaru turbo technology excels in both environmental friendliness and engine performance.

      Lineartronic (CVT)

      Lineartronic, Subaru’s new generation automatic transmission, achieves further improvements in both fuel efficiency and driving performance by reinforcing parts for use with the high-power output of a turbo engine.

      Hybrid system

      To further enhance the appeal of the Symmetrical AWD system, this unique hybrid two-motor system features a power/drive motor in the front and a drive motor in the rear.

      At start-up and extremely low speeds when fuel efficiency is low, such as when driving the car into a garage, the rear motor is used primarily to allow driving without utilizing the power of the engine.

      During normal driving, the front engine is primarily used. The direct fuel-injection turbo gasoline mated with the Symmetrical AWD offers a whole new, Subaru driving experience.

      During acceleration, the rear motor assists the driving power of the engine to achieve advanced driving performance.

      Further, when accelerating uphill, the front motor, which is normally used as a power generator, assists to drive the front axle for improved performance.

      The implementation of a non-idling function that stops the engine when the car comes to a halt reduces unnecessary fuel consumption.

      The use of a high-performance lithium battery is based on experience and know-how achieved with the Subaru Plug-in STELLA electric vehicle, launched this summer. This includes the use of a precise energy management system and regenerative brake controls, for improvements in excellent fuel efficiency.

Major specifications

Length x Width x Height: 4,630 x 1,890 x 1,420mm

Engine type: 2.0-liter Horizontally-Opposed direct fuel-injection turbo gasoline engine

Max output of Motor: 10kW (Front) / 20kW (Rear)

Transmission type: Lineartronic

Drive train: Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive with 2 motors assist

Battery type: Lithium-ion battery

    *  EyeSight + (plus)

      Subaru has integrated its unique driving assist system, EyeSight, with vehicle-to-vehicle and road-to-vehicle communication technology. EyeSight includes an assist collision prevention support system that uses its unique stereo camera technology to recognize a wide range of driving environments. This next-generation driver assistance system provides improved safety and peace-of-mind for passengers, and represents a major evolution in collision detection performance.
          o  The advanced environment recognition performance of EyeSight, using a stereo camera and a specialized 3D image processing engine, excels at pre-collision safety through the recognition of both pedestrians and cyclists as well.
          o  Wide-ranging driving conditions that cannot be covered by a stereo camera alone are acquired through vehicle-to-vehicle and road-to-vehicle communication technology, which is then synchronized with EyeSight for a further evolution in preventative safety. Specifically, this system continuously detects vehicles that move into and out of blind spots, and advises the driver on appropriate driving maneuvers.

Plug-in STELLA feat. BEAMS (Display model)

The Subaru Plug-in STELLA featuring BEAMS, developed based on the Subaru Plug-in STELLA launched this summer, offers a playful design by BEAMS, renowned specialty store, that enhances the joy of using an electric vehicle.

The Subaru Plug-in STELLA electric vehicle (EV) combines the EV system with a compact and light body, for convenience in business use and advanced energy efficiency for daily commuting.

IMPREZA WRX STI CARBON (Display model)

Based on the Subaru Impreza WRX STI A-Line model with 5 speed automatic transmission that offers distinctive driving performance to a wider range of customers, the Subaru Impreza WRX CARBON features the use of carbon material in the roof to achieve both a significant weight reduction and a lower center of gravity. In addition, the suede fabric used in the interior enhances driving excitement and pride of ownership.

EXIGA 2.0GT tuned by STI (Scheduled for market launch in Japan)

SUBARU TECNICA INTERNATIONAL inc. (STI), which manages Subaru motor sports activities, offers its latest proposal for a new seven-seater sports concept based on the multi-passenger Subaru EXIGA 2.0GT turbo model. The finely-tuned body and chassis elements ensure responsive and sporty handling for all drivers. In addition, the basic black sporty interior has a luxurious texture.

This model integrates distinctive driving performance proposed by STI with the EXIGA’s touring seven-seater concept, and is a proposal for new value in the minivan market.

Lineartronic (CVT) cutaway model (Technology exhibit)

Lineartronic is a new generation transmission of Subaru first made available in the all-new Legacy and Outback. Lineartronic is the first longitudinally mounted chain-type CVT system for AWD production vehicles, combining the advanced transmission efficiency and infinite variability between the highest and lowest available ratios, helping to keep the engine operating in its most efficient range, with smooth acceleration, quick shift response, and superior fuel efficiency.

EyeSight featured in EXIGA 2.0GT EyeSight model (Technology exhibit)

Subaru’s advanced technology places the highest priority on safety in any environment. The EyeSight advanced safety device is a driver assistance system that excels at pre-collision safety through the use of a stereo camera and a 3D image processing engine that detect both pedestrians and cyclists as well. This system includes functions that rely solely upon the stereo camera, such as pre-collision braking and AT mis-starting prevention control, as well as functions that reduce driving load, such as cruise control with all vehicle speed range tracking function.

EyeSight Functions

    *  Cruise control with all vehicle speed range tracking function
    * Pre-collision braking control
    *  AT mis-starting prevention control
    *  Lane departure warning system
    *  Wander warning
    *  Leading vehicle motion notification function

A list of exhibits

   1.  SUBARU HYBRID TOURER CONCEPT (Concept car)
   2.  Plug-in STELLA feat. BEAMS (Display model)
   3.  IMPREZA WRX STI CARBON (Display model)
   4.  LEGACY B4 GT300 (Display model)
   5.  EXIGA 2.0GT tuned by STI (Display model / Scheduled for market launch in Japan)
   6.  LEGACY TOURING WAGON 2.5i S Package (Production model)
   7.  LEGACY B4 2.5GT SI-Cruise (Production model)
   8.  LEGACY OUTBACK 2.5i L Package (Production model)
   9.  FORESTER 2.0XS BLACK LEATHER SELECTION (Production model)
  10. Lineartronic (CVT) cutaway model (Technology exhibit)
  11. EyeSight featured in EXIGA 2.0GT EyeSight model (Technology exhibit)

Tags: subaru

Added in Subaru, Concept Cars

Source: Subaru