Subaru at Tokyo: The Other Concepts

Subaru’s Impreza WRX STI will no doubt be one of the most important releases for the brand this year. After the general indifference expressed towards the new generation of car - including the supposed high-performance WRX model - it was important that Subaru cranked up the volume with the STI version. And while the bulging, high-performance version will steal attention from the rest of the Subaru display, not to mention countless other companies, the brand is also displaying two other concepts in Tokyo.

One vehicle that Subaru will eventually need replacing in the coming years is the Forester, a vehicle that the Japanese brand built to compete against compact crossovers. It’s been received quite well by the motoring press, delivering the right amount of off-road capability without disregarding its on-road manners. For many areas of the world where Subaru does not sell the Tribeca, the Forester is the closest thing that it has to an SUV. The Exiga concept car might preview the next Forester.

The Exiga is powered by Subaru’s trusty turbocharged flat-four, an engine which has been serving the brand’s domestic and overseas markets for ages. It is mated to a five-speed automatic and features the symmetrical all-wheel drive system. It’s nothing particularly innovative, but it’s built on components that are proven and could easily do duty in the Forester. In terms of styling, the Exiga looks like a cross between a Forester, from its upright windshield and tall-stature body, and a Legacy from its swept nose and longer, leaner profile. Indeed, the Exiga is bigger than the Forester, one of the main gains in length is due to the fact that it offers three rows of seats.

Additionally, Subaru is continuously working on electric vehicles, and its latest developments will be on show in the G4e concept vehicle. It is bigger than Subaru’s previous electric concept car, the R1e, and offers seating for five plus features two extra doors. The G4e is remarkably aerodynamic, with a drag rating of 0.276, enhancing its efficiency while traveling at higher speeds.

The G4e steps forward from the previous car in the advancements of engine and battery technology. The car features a lithium-ion battery that powers an 87 horsepower electric motor. What’s impressive about this layout is that the components have been arranged to fit under the floor of the car to keep the interior volume as big as possible. The battery also offers a quick-charging function that can power the car up to 80-percent in just fifteen minutes via a port integrated into the front bumper. A full charge takes considerably more time – eight hours – but a full charge would reward the driver with a total range of about 120 miles, more than enough for daily errands.