2023 Subaru Solterra EV teased ahead of debut

KUALA LUMPUR: Toyota has already shown off the all-new bZ4X electric SUV and now its Subaru turn to pull the wraps off the bZ4X twin model or its first fully-electric car, the Subaru Solterra. The automaker is set to unveil the SUV at the 2021 Los Angeles Auto Show next week, but before that, it teases the model one last time.

In the new teaser, Subaru offers a closer look at the Solterra's chunky front fenders featuring inner arches and thick black cladding. It portrays the more rugged and off-road appearance of the SUV. While Subaru revealed just a single shot this time, the previous teasers have revealed a whole lot about the upcoming Solterra. It looks identical to the Toyota bZ4X with a different daytime running light signature, LED headlights, and a C-shaped taillight design.

Just like the exterior, the interiors of the two SUVs will also be similar with a flowing centre console panel, a highly-mounted digital instrument cluster, and a large touchscreen. However, Subaru SUV will not have the polarising steering yoke seen on the Chinese-spec bZ4x, rather it gets a conventional unit.

Based on the e-Subaru Global Platform, the Subaru Solterra will have an all-wheel-drive system that points towards a dual-motor setup. However, the battery size and range details of the SUV are not yet available. The reports suggest a 71.4-kilowatt-hour battery pack offering a range of 300 miles.

If we talk about the Toyota bZ4X specs, it will be available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive formats, both having a 71.4-kWh battery pack as standard. In the FWD setup, the single motor produces 204 PS while in the AWD version, the dual-motor setup churns out a combined power output of 218 PS. The expected WLTP range for the FWD is 500 km and for the AWD is 460 km.

After making its debut at the LA show, the Subaru Solterra is slated to go on sale in the global market in 2022.

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