Subaru Viziv Future Concept – downsized turbo hybrid

Subaru will be showing this Viziv Future Concept at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show happening later this month. The concept SUV is said to “embody the future vision of car development for enjoyment and peace of mind”, giving us a glimpse of the future Subaru has in mind for the brand.

The three-door SUV sports Subaru cues such as the hexagonal grille with emblem flanked by ‘wings’. C-shaped LED daytime running lights in the headlamps and matching elements in the tail lamps are also signatures seen on the Forester facelift, revealed yesterday. Orange accents are found on the wheels, front and rear skid plates, wing mirrors and roof rails. A true SUV style is expressed throughout, Subaru says.

Design aside, the Viziv Future Concept also serves as a showcase for Subaru’s automatic driving technology resulting from the ongoing evolution of EyeSight, and a power unit combining a downsized turbo engine with a hybrid system.

This next-gen hybrid system has advanced every aspect of the system first launched with the Subaru XV Hybrid. The use of a downsized turbocharged engine – a development of the 170 PS 1.6 litre Direct Injection Turbo (DIT) petrol flat-four from the Levorg – improves fuel efficiency and provides a smooth, linear feel when accelerating. Its compact size, low weight and net thermal efficiency are highlights, Subaru says.

Subaru’s trademark AWD is achieved in a different manner here. The propeller shaft has been eliminated by mounting the single motor on the rear axle in a compact layout. This also enables a flat floor for the cabin and torque vectoring.

EyeSight, Subaru’s stereo camera tech, has been advanced by merging it with vehicle-to-external communications and telematics. Combining the front recognition of the former with all-direction radar sensing, the traffic environment around the vehicle and risk from all sides are monitored, while GPS and map data are used to pinpoint the car’s location precisely.

The carmaker says that avoidance of collision in all directions, with vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians, and when turning at intersections or when backing up, is enhanced. Automatic driving is possible at all speeds, and there’s automatic parking too. Anticipation of traffic and weather, as well as effective communication of intentions with people and vehicles is possible with the adoption of latest telematics and HMI tech.

Are we finally closer to the production Viziv? The one from Geneva 2014 had a more car-like look and a powertrain with one diesel engine combined with three electric motors. It succeeded the original 2013 Viziv, an exploratory concept with curves and scissor doors.

Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.