Subaru Hybrid Tourer Concept (2009) revealed

By Ben Pulman

First Official Pictures

30 September 2009 10:56

This is Subaru’s Hybrid Tourer Concept, set to be unveiled at the 2009 Tokyo motor show later this month.

Got it in one, as the unadventurous name gives the game away. Inside there a four big leather-covered seats and a flat floor, and there’s easy access via the huge gullwing doors. The dashboard also moves up and down to provide a better environment for the driver, and the Hybrid Tourer Concept also has Subaru’s Eyesight+ driving assist system, which includes collision detection cameras that recognize pedestrians and cyclists

Under the Legacy-inspired nose is a next-gen direct-injection, turbocharged 2.0-litre horizontally opposed engine, linked to a CVT ‘box and Subaru’s AWD system. And to help the all-wheel drive set-up there’s also a 10kW electric motor at the front, and a 20kW motor at the rear. At low speeds and when starting the rear motor alone is used to power the car. During normal driving conditions the petrol engine is primarily used, and then the rear motor helps under acceleration. The front motor is only used when accelerating uphill. The electric power is provided from lithium-ion batteries, which are charged using regenerative braking. There’s also a stop/start system.

By Ben Pulman