Wanna know what the latest fad in Japan is when it comes to concept cars? Putting really funky doors on what are essentially very stylish people movers.
The Honda Skydeck had scissor doors in addition to its rear sliding doors, and this new Subaru concept called the Subaru Hybrid Tourer has twin gullwing doors! Apparently the designers penned the concept after imagining “wings of freedom” giving its driver and his family a feeling of freedom and confidence in driving the vehicle.
Taking a cue from the 5-Series GT, the Subaru Hybrid Tourer seats only four. With these new ‘tourer’ vehicles the seats are limited but each seat is supposed to do its job really well – we’re talking about the best padding, legroom and entertainment that money can buy (in whatever pricerange the car is in of course). Subaru takes the driver’s comfort one step ahead by letting the top of the dashboard be movable up and down according to the driver’s wants.
I’ve heard of seats being adjustable infinite ways but never of an adjustable dashboard! Or at least that’s what the press release says as Subaru doesn’t exactly have any videos of how it works. Maybe they’ll release more nearer to the motorshow.
Under the hood is naturally a boxer engine – it’s a real Subaru after all isn;t it? There’s also symmetrical all-wheel drive, another Subaru trademark. The boxer engine is turbocharged and of a 2.0 litre displacement. It also has direct fuel injection. The turbo-boxer is mated to a Lineartronic CVT. But that’s not where it stops – the boxer engine is only one part of a hybrid powertrain that complements the combustion engine with another two motors.
One 10kW power/drive motor is at the front together with the engine while there is another 20kW drive motor at the rear. At start-up and slow speeds, the rear drive motor is used primarily to move the vehicle while the combustion engine stays shut off. Under normal driving, the primary power source is the combustion engine. Then when there is extra power needed, the rear motor kicks in. Finally, at maximum power needs, the front motor kicks in.
At other times the front motor functions primarily as a power generator, charging a lithium ion battery that powers the motors. There’s also auto start-stop and brake energy regeneration.
The styling looks pretty appealing actually, though I can see some hints of Audi at the rear. Look after the jump for the initially released photos of the concept.
After dabbling for years in the IT industry, Paul Tan initially began this site as a general blog covering various topics of personal interest. With an increasing number of readers paying rapt attention to the motoring stories, one thing led to another and the rest, as they say, is history. An avid electronic gadget aficionado as well as big-time coffee lover, he's also the executive producer of the Driven motoring TV programme.
damn.another good design from subaru.
COOL!!
Wei Proton, where your hybrid?
The rear is more Alfa Brera than Audi
Paul, the rear lights look more of a "ring" than Audi's "square" lights. Great design.
why every car maker so obsess with the gullwing design or scissors door ?
the front looks like a ford…
Anonymouse must be sick. Always want to bash Malaysian Car Manufacturer. They have their EV alreadylah.
good for sunny and rainy days when u forgot to bring your umbrella,
Why the sudden obsession with new doors with these manufacturers.
An innovative but seriously complicated piece of machinery, i'd hate to see those break down.
Designing is one thing, but making every component of it is the most challenging part. Everything must fit perfectly otherwise the concept will fail.
Proton must have a concept car! Lotus APX is out of the picture.
Protons idea of concept cars are modified gen 2 and persona's :/
though i'd really like to see them come up with something like this!
the rear end looks like an alfa brera to me…
a mixture of lexus and alfa…awesome design
hmm, at least a good design from subaru. but as usual, practicality with those "WINGS OF FREEDOM"
tyres in future will be called "CIRCLES OF MOVEMENT"
Headlights will be called "PROJECTOR OF ILLUMINATION"
all hail creative naming.
Love the butt and the silhouette! So sexy….
Anonymous said,
October 1, 2009 @ 10:14 pm
Wei Proton, where your hybrid?
- ppl are still skeptical about honda hybrid and toyota hybrid…
proton hybrids will not fly for another decade or so…
a bit same like Honda Airwave, but definitely more spacious and higher clearance.
Nice looking Subaru. Can make way for next gen Impreza.
at least it looks better than the current Subarus…
tis definitely beats the lancer
wonder how it's going to open the door if it's parked between 2 cars
CL said,
October 2, 2009 @ 9:44 am
wonder how it’s going to open the door if it’s parked between 2 cars
This is the first question pops-up in my mind too… How the hack can you to tolerate to open that door when you park at Mid valley? Fortunately ini sajalah satu kereta concept..
Anyway Alfa Brera still rocks!!
subaru brera
Anonymous said,
October 1, 2009 @ 10:14 pm
Wei Proton, where your hybrid?
——————————————–
if proton produce hybrid sure kene tiow dgn malaysian people maa…wat they call..arr.. copycat, emm…let other manafacturer make first la..p1 maybe in 100yrs la..em..woi our tax money do use la
by the way
p1 hav produce hybrid with lotus called EVE system on gen2 if im not mistaken
well here it comes, japs version of gullwing..impressive
what is this???
a marriage between gumpert apollo and alfa brera???
the rear look like alfa brera why subaru start with hatch back where is the sporty coupe version..we want coupe!!!!!!!!!!!!!