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'Subaru Hybrid Tourer Concept' car to be shown at the 2009 Tokyo motor show starting October 21, 2009. Subaru imagined wings with a feeling of freedom and confidence for driving far and wide in any environment, and this is a a 'new proposal for the future of grand touring car that integrates environmental friendliness, driving performance, and safety at a high level' more below Is this a preview of the redesigned 2010 US Outback in 2009? See the Legacy above. The Subaru Exiga crossover concept car, shown at 2007 Tokyo Motor Show. More details on the Japanese verison below 2009 Forester Mountain Rescue concept car show at 2008 SEMA  in Las Vegas 2000 ST-X concept made as Baja more always coming. tips and comments welcomed! contact All text, content, formatting ©J. Spitz. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited   v 10.5.09 you are here  http://www.cars101.com/subaru/concepts.html

Starting 10/21/09 at the Tokyo Motor Show Fugi Heavy Industries will show the 'Subaru Hybrid Tourer Concept' car, a 'new proposal for the future of grand touring car that integrates environmental friendliness, driving performance, and safety at a high level'
Subaru imagined wings with a feeling of freedom and confidence for driving far and wide in any environment.
 

length 4,630 x width 1,890 x height 1,420mm

This hybrid has a two-motor system with 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. During acceleration, the rear motor assists the driving power of the front engine. 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 use of a high-performance lithium battery is based on experience 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.
The top of the dashboard is movable up and down to provide an optimal driver oriented environment.
Subaru has integrated EyeSight,a unique driving assist system, with vehicle-to-vehicle and road-to-vehicle communication technology. EyeSight includes a collision prevention 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.
 

January 11, 2009 – Subaru of America revealed the 2009 Subaru Lgeacy concept today at the 2009 North American International Auto Show. The new Legacy concept is a hint at the future of Legacy design. The design showcases the sport sedan heritage of the Subaru Legacy, but in more modern and purposeful package.  Marking the 20th anniversary of the Subaru Legacy, the Legacy concept has been developed to showcase the Legacy’s sporting capabilities and features Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system mated to a Horizontally-Opposed Boxer engine. The design concept is based on a larger 108.3 in. wheelbase designed to maximize interior space and provide comfortable accommodations for four adults. The theme of concept design is "Presence", represented by the aggressive front facia and solid yet expressive body. Four powerful and defined wheel arches emphasize the dynamism of Symmetrical AWD. Sharp design lines carve out a substantial mass as they flow from the hood, across the roof to the trunk, while the sharp body lines project a sense of strength. Wedgeshaped Side Rear Vision Cameras are featured and provide a sense of flow from the momentum of the A-pillar lines. A character line runs from just before the A-pillar and sweeps up to the tail just above the taillamps. don't expect the production model due later this year to be as stylized	rear and side view of the 2010 Subaru Legacy concept car shown at the 2009 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit January
2010 Subaru Legacy concept car steering wheel, shown at the 2009 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit January	2010 Subaru Legacy concept car side view, shown at the 2009 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit January
front and side view of the 2010 Subaru Legacy concept car, shown at the 2009 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit January	2010 Subaru Legacy concept car center console, shown at the 2009 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit January

12/17/08. It's official- 'SoA today announced that the Subaru Legacy Concept will debut at the 2009 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit January 11th. The NAIAS is open to the public January 17 through 25, 2009. Celebrating 20 years of the Legacy sedan, the LEGACY CONCEPT showcases the direction of future Legacy sedan design. The exterior highlights the sportiness and dynamism befitting a car powered by a 3.6-liter Horizontally-Opposed Boxer engine. A distinctive front fascia and flared wheel arches establish a powerful road presence and hint at the exceptional handling promised by the Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system and low center of gravity. The interior embodies modern, high-tech architecture while delivering a comfortable environment for occupants.
The Subaru Legacy series was first introduced in 1989 and next year it will celebrate its 20th anniversary of the start of production. Manufactured in Gunma, Japan and Lafayette, Indiana USA, global production has exceeded 3.6 million units.* The United States accounts for 43% of the production volume. The model has been highly acclaimed as a core product of Subaru in the world due to its excellent driving performance, strong safety record and dependability provided by Subaru’s renowned Symmetrical AWD system with Horizontally- Opposed engines.'

The 2009 Forester Mountain Rescue Concept shown at 2008 SEMA in Las Vegas (November 2008) has more than 14" of ground clearance with an Air Lift custom adjustable ride height air suspension system and huge Yokohama Geolandar 30 x 9.5-in. tires on special 15" wheels. Other upgrades include custom front and rear DeeZee skid plates, Bushwacker Trail Armor fender flares, door cladding, rear gate guard and tail light guards, Subaru Baja sport activity lights (remember those?), 7 roof mounted LED spotlights, a 9,500lb winch, remote rear door openers, extra wide round crossbars and a rescue toboggan!  But mostly it has 14" of ground clearance!

Japanese market R1e electric car, available in Japan 2009? No plans for a US model announced. Update April 2008, New York City is testing these Fall 2008.  Updated Sept 2009. NY City now expects the car spring 2009	Stella electric concept car.  4/2009 After some years of talk and developement, it looks like the Stella electric vehicle will finally go into test production this summer when 15 cars are made for testing in Japan. More on concept cars 2008: The plug-in Stella Concept can cover 50 miles on a single charge, and its battery can be fully recharged in eight hours through a household socket. "For city commuting, this is enough," Fuji Heavy spokesman Shinichi Murata says. "This is the best we can do with today's technology at a reasonable cost." Fuji is targeting fleet sales of up to 200 units during the car's first year (2010-11?). Stella leasing will begin in Japan, but the company has no immediate plans to bring it overseas.
January 2008: concept Legacy STI shown at the 2007 Tokyo Auto Salon	a custom golf cart for Marine Steven Schultz, wounded in Iraq, 12/26/2006
(Update: US model on sale 2007) 11/2006 2007 Forester Sport XT.  Forester Sports 2.5 XT, also introduced at SEMA, the concept car adds hot rod parts from the company's STI and SPT divisions to beef up the Forester's performance even further. By eliminating its roof rail crossbars and adding a new front bumper, grille and 17-inch wheels, some of the Forester's more frumpy design elements have been slimmed down on the standard Forester Sports 2.5 XT.... more courtesy Edmunds.com

January 14-22, 2006 Subaru shows B5-TPH and R1e hybrid concept cars at the 2006 North American Int'l Auto Show in Detroit. news release
 

concept Subaru B5-TPH 2door hatchback hybrid at 2005 Tokyo Auto Show photo c SoA 2005 Tokyo Auto Show, Subaru shows the B5 TPH (turbo parallel hybrid) concept, a 3door hatchback using the 1st hybrid boxer engine. The front end is similar to the 2006 Impreza and Tribeca. With a turbo parallel hybrid powertrain and 2.0L Miller cycle turbo engine, and expected to produce more than 300 hp. That would increase low end torque, improve fuel economy, and reduce emissions. For more on this and other hybrids, see my hybrid page info courtesy edmunds.com and cardesignews.com

March 2003 B11S introduced at 73rd International Geneva Auto Show this information courtesy SoA Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd., a global manufacturer of transportation and aerospace-related products and the maker of Subaru automobiles, today announced the unveiling of a revolutionary concept car, the Subaru B11S, at the 73rd International Geneva Motor Show to be held from March 6 to 16. Combining sophisticated sporty design with ample interior space, the Subaru B11S represents a new type of four-door Coupe. While it was developed to demonstrate FHI’s future design direction and strengthened design capabilities, the Subaru B11S also features superb driving performance, which is ensured by a Symmetrical AWD (all-wheel-drive) system in combination with a horizontally-opposed engine. Since Kyoji Takenaka assumed the title of President and Chief Operating Officer in June 2001, FHI has been enhancing its design capabilities as part of companywide reforms aimed at improving the Subaru brand. One year later, as FHI began placing greater emphasis on the importance of design development, the long experienced Subaru car designer, Kiyoshi Sugimoto, was promoted to the position of Vice President, Senior General Manager of Subaru Product and Portfolio Planning Division and General Manager of Subaru Design Department, which marked the first time that a car designer was appointed to the executive officers. The Subaru B11S is the first concept car designed under the leadership of Mr. Sugimoto with guidance from Mr. Takenaka in initial concept development. The Barcelona-based independent design studio, Fuore Design International, under the leadership of Erwin Himmel, which has been retained by FHI as a consultancy, contributed to the creation of the B11S. Concept The B11S has been developed to pursue the concept of Gran Utility Turismo, which embodies the perfect blend of sporty driving, comfort, functionality and elegance. The car incorporates all the crucial ingredients of this concept. It features attractive styling and packaging, which further reflect FHI’s corporate philosophy, Innovative, Individual and Courageous; Subaru’s technological strengths, such as the horizontally-opposed engine and a Symmetrical AWD system; and driving performance equivalent to a high-performance sports car for the enthusiast. Exterior design The exterior design, composed of sophisticated flowing curves, expresses an elegant, sleek Coupe, while the car comfortably accommodating four adults. The front fascia, which fortifies its sporty look, conjures the turbine of a small jet plane and the freedom of flying wings—an association with FHI’s corporate roots as an aircraft company, as well as a reminder of outstanding aerodynamic technology and performance. The two pairs of side doors open like gates and latch in the middle without a conventional B-pillar, an arrangement that facilitates access to the back seats and makes interior room seem even more spacious. Developed specifically for the B11S, the frosted glass roof provides an open-air feeling, as in a convertible, and it creates a pleasant soft light inside the vehicle that enhances the quality look of its interior. The unique glass roof design was inspired by the design and construction of traditional Japanese umbrellas. Interior design  In sharp contrast to the white pearl body color, for the interior of the B11S the color blue has been selected influenced by Subaru's characteristic color. Strong emphasis was placed on crafting an understated yet high-quality ambience in the cabin’s design, which is reminiscent of Japanese interior decoration and its attention-to-detail approach. In addition, the folding backseats allow easy access to and from the trunk for luggage or sports equipment. The interior provides a comfortable space for passengers and offers practical solutions at the same time. Performance The B11S has been equipped with a new, horizontally-opposed, 6-cylinder engine. This engine, which will meet both the needs of driving pleasure and the demands of environmental considerations, is currently under development. Thanks to twin-turbocharger, the engine will ensure a smooth ride in low- and middle-speed ranges while it achieves a maximum output of 294 kW (400 ps) and a maximum torque of 550 Nm (56.1 kgfm). AWD system integrated with a 5-speed automatic transmission comes with VTD (variable torque distribution), Subaru’s unique, electronically controlled torque distribution system. While the basic torque distribution ratio of front to rear wheels is set at 35% and 65%, respectively, the VTD optimally controls the torque distribution between front and rear wheels according to driving conditions and realizes a high level of balance between the yawing tendency of a vehicle and highspeed stability this information courtesy SoA

 
 

ST-X September 2000 (produced as Baja) September 2000. Subaru of America announces plans to build a truck based on the ST-X concept, built in Lafayette, Indiana, beginning late 2002. Annual production expected 24,000 cars Subaru created the crossover category with the introduction of Outback (1996) and is now taking the concept further hoping the ST-X will do the same for the youth market and the home-owner by adding the practicality of a 4 seat, 4 door all wheel drive truck with supercharged performance. Subaru also made the Brat, a similar 2 door model. Made by Specialized Vehicles (SVI) of Troy, Michigan. Engine:  2.5L with intercooled Eaton supercharger. 230 @ 5,600 rpm, 210 lbs/ft of peak torque. The intercooler is from the Japanese B4. All wheel drive: dual-range 5-speed transmission Clearance: 8.5" Wheelbase 104.3" (same as Legacy/Outback) Bed, length 55.5" extending 20.5" inches to 76" with the Switchback System which works by lowering a power-retractable rear window glass into the rear seatback.  Wide enough for a 4x8 sheet of plywood!  Rear headrests drop from the roof and fold up out of the way when Switchback open.  Rear seat cushion flips forward, its bottom forming the rear wall of the cargo bed, and the seatback folds down forming the flat cargo floor.  Bed width 54.5", 44.5" between the wheel wells Bed height 18.7" inches Tires: 225/55 R17 Yokohama AVS S/T tires Wheels: 17" x 7" Enkei  Stereo McIntosh AM/FM/CD, 650 watts, three amplifiers, 7 McIntosh speakers.  Body The ST-X uses a lot of Legacy/Outback sheet metal, with modified fenders, and an altered front fascia for larger fog-lights, plus inboard pencil-beam driving lights. New upper and lower grills give the ST-X a bolder variation of the basic Outback design.  The hood with integral scoop comes from the Japanese-market Legacy B4 sedan. The switchback system was planned with a power rear window that would drop-down into the passenger-cargo separation wall. There was a 'super large power fabric sunroof' Rear Outback doors have been shortened and all doors have Forester type pull-type handles.  The rear quarter panels have been extended seven inches with a sculpted bumper. The ST-X uses Outback wagon tail light lenses frenched behind louvers. The Baja they actually offered in 2003 was not a turbo and the power rear glass Switchback was gone. READ MORE

 
 

October 14, 2003 Fuji Heavy Industries’ exhibition at the 37th Tokyo Motor Show 2003. This information courtesy http://www.subaru.com.hk/pdf/SNW0310.pdf Fuji Heavy Industries, manufacturer of transportation, space related products, and Subaru automobiles, announced the major features of its Subaru vehicles and their technologies, which will be exhibited at the 37th Tokyo Motor Show In the booth, the Symmetrical AWD – the core technology to our ideal performance criteria – and the next-generation power source, Subaru’s own advanced technologies to move and satisfy people through driving are shown. The two concept cars exhibited are created by Subaru’s design team headed by Advanced Design’s Chief Designer Andreas Zapatinas. Subaru’s nextgeneration design trends, in which the function of the car and emotional aesthetics are shown in those concept cars. B9 SCRAMBLER, c SoA Subaru B9 Scrambler. B9 is a “scrambler” type automobile just like such kind of motorcycle had been existed and it means open air and on/off-road availability. The car’s powertrain is called Sequential Series Hybrid Electric Vehicle (SSHEV) – a fusion of our own Symmetrical AWD and the latest HEV technologies. The SSHEV system drives the car at the most frequently used speed ranges (up to around 80 km/h) with a high-performance motor and realizes smooth acceleration, good fuel efficiency and superb environmental performances. With the run-flat tires on, the B9 Scrambler features the variable-height air suspension that can adjust minimum ground clearance from 150 mm to 200 mm, in addition to the auto leveling function. The styling, free from stereotypes and existing limitations, is advanced yet gives somewhat familiar feelings. The design elements found on the B9 Scrambler such as the dashboard that conjures up an image of an aircraft’s wing, suggest Subaru’s tradition as an aircraft manufacturer and our design trends in the future. R2, c SoA The R2 is a fashionable, lively minicar that offers richer driver life. Despite of its small sizes, the R2’s exquisite build quality makes the car having classless, strong and tangible presence. The “One-Motion Form” flowing from the front end to the roof top underlines the R2’s distinctive silhouette, while the exterior and interior represents “Sportiveness” and “Elegance.”  The 4-cylinder DOHC Natural Aspiration engine with Active Valve Control System is newly developed for the R2. Combined with the i-CVT, the engine makes the top-level fuel economy within the class and mobility compatible. The supercharged engine offers even more enjoyable and sportier riding with a 7-speed sports shift combined. The chassis members with maximum-strength forms, along with the body panels having optimal curves for increased strength, are used to achieve important goals in this environmentally conscious age: to save resources. Weight reduction and safety performances go hand in hand on the R2. It features improved compatibility in the event of an accident and pedestrian protection. Subaru R1e c SoA As a mobile tool that fits well with personal use in the urban life, the Subaru R1e features a 2 + 2 layout packaging. The Electric Vehicle (EV) power unit uses a high-performance battery and advanced power control technology with consideration given to the environment as well. The optimum packaging that fits urban lifestyle and provides joyful driving. This results in an overall length shorter than Japanese minicars, with emotional and energetic proportion. The 2 + 2 packaging is ideal for urban single- and two-person lifestyle. Compact sizes offer ease of parking and flexibility: indispensable elements to urban life. The EV system uses a light, compact brushless motor with high output and excellent reliability and manganese lithium-ion battery featuring very high energy density. The battery can be charged by taking electric power out of the single-phase 200V AC outlet which is generally used for home air conditioners. Driving the R1e is done with two pedals (throttle and brake) just like normal automatic transmission cars. In addition, the creep control and electric motor-assisted power steering enhance driving ease in actual daily use. Subaru Legacy Touring Wagon TransCare Designed to provide comfortable driving to handicapped person and senior citizens, this Legacy uses a rotative passenger wing seat. The passenger seat rotates and protrudes from the body by 80 mm, making it easier to sit in and get out of the seat. The seat’s rotation can be done with a wireless remote. The comfortable seat is same as other Legacy models, and its electric slide control with 240 mm of slide range makes long-distance drives a joy. The model shown at this year’s Tokyo Motor Show is equipped with a special drive aid developed for the drivers with a leg handicap. A pull-type throttle ring and brake bar are positioned behind the steering wheel to control acceleration and braking. The TransCare can also be operated by non-handicapped person in the same way as regular cars. Subaru Legacy Sedan (B4) CNG (shown at the Environment Experience Land) The Legacy B4 CNG is a low exhaust-gas emission vehicle and utilizes natural gas which is a resource that can be produced and supplied within Japan’s soils. Using Subaru’s 2.0-liter Horizontally-Opposed DOHC 4-cylinder engine with Active Valve Control System as a base and combining it with a multi-point fuel injection developed specially for CNG, the engine produces high performance over wide rpm ranges and realizes U-LEV equivalent environmental performance at the same time. This vehicle equipped with AWD that exercise active safety feature, and in passenger CNG only available in this vehicle. Major launching target will be, an official car segment (middle sedan CNG), and the cold place where the need for AWD is strong. END Fuji Heavy Industries’ exhibition at the 37th Tokyo Motor Show 2003 this information courtesy http://www.subaru.com.hk/pdf/SNW0310.pdf

1999 Forester Woody at the Chicago Auto Show  February 12-21, 1999 The 1999 Forester Woody shown at the Chicago Auto Show was made with mahogany and ash wood veneer, small moon hubcaps on color matched wheels. Roof rack (two snowboard size), retro interior with wicker-cane textured upholstery and trim, wood steering wheel and wood cargo area rub strips. It has the AutoPC voice recognition system by Clarion for navigation and communication systems. Thanks to edmunds.com and Steve Manning's http://www.stationwagon.com/

 

1996 EXIGA thanks to Steve Manning's http://www.stationwagon.com/