Subaru releases more pics of Hybrid Tourer Concept
by Sam Abuelsamid on Oct 12th 2009 at 1:30PM 
Subaru Hybrid Tourer Concept - click above for high-res image gallery
Subaru has just released a bunch of new images of its Hybrid Tourer concept that is slated to debut next week at the Tokyo Motor Show. The gullwing wagon/hatch/thingy is Subaru's first major cut at a hybrid and the first from anyone using a boxer four-cylinder engine. A pair of electric motors provide regenerative braking, pure electric drive and blended electric boost, with a lithium ion battery pack as the energy storage medium.
Subaru has been working with their partners at Toyota to produce this new hybrid architecture, and it will likely appear in production vehicles in the next few years. Besides the hybrid system, the concept also includes a new direct injected version of its 2.0-liter turbo boxer engine that will also probably appear in production vehicles before long.
Gallery: Subaru Hybrid Tourer concept
[Source: Subaru]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Sea Urchin 1:45PM (10/12/2009)
WOW, i like it a lot.
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yosh 1:47PM (10/12/2009)
Wow, Audi bass-mouth grille and VW taillights. Good job Subaru!
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Shiftright 4:42PM (10/12/2009)
Kinda looks like a stretched Alfa Brera from the side and rear. Who cares though. It's a good looking Subaru! Hallelujah!
protomech 11:58AM (10/13/2009)
Not my favorite electric subaru, even if it still has a boxer four in it.
Here's a two-motor electric racing impreza. I find the race reports to be fascinating.
http://www.proev.com/index.htm
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FSM 1:53PM (10/12/2009)
Give it AWD and this thing is awesome.
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Justin 1:55PM (10/12/2009)
Wagon/hatch, AWD, hybrid...That's my car ! (except the dysfunctional doors).
I hope they won't make it with a high stance (as the actual Outback, which took away from Subaru the interisting part - wagon + fun to drive).
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BoneHeadOtto 2:28PM (10/12/2009)
Damn i hate this high stance crap that cars are getting lately. The 2005 Legacy wagon is low and beautiful. That new legacy is way too tall, and dont even look at the outback.
Gardiner Westbound 2:06PM (10/12/2009)
Nothing against Subaru, but I don't know why automakers put out concept cars. Only rarely is the production model, if it ever materializes, a true copy of the concept. Case in point; the Chevrolet Volt.
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Matt Nelson 2:12PM (10/12/2009)
Most concept cars contain features that are 1) impossible to produce in a production environment and/or 2) stupidly expensive.
letstakeawalk 2:17PM (10/12/2009)
Concept cars are meant to do what they say, introduce concepts. They can be design concepts, or engineering concepts, and they aren't really supposed to be seen as cars that will be potentially produced. Some of the concepts contained within the car might make it into production in some form or another eventually, or the whole concept might simply be abandoned.
What you might be thinking of (as cars reflecting what production cars will look like - hopefully) displayed at car shows are called "production-intent" or "pre-production", and can still receive tweaks to design and engineering.
Kumar 2:19PM (10/12/2009)
But I thought the Volt was the exact same as the concept. ;)
Gardiner Westbound 3:36PM (10/12/2009)
Don't think so.
Volt Concept
http://reviews.carreview.com/files/2008/04/chevy_volt_concept_3_med.jpg
Volt Production Model
http://www.gizmag.com/pictures/gallery/10019_170908125848.jpg
jc.eriksen 2:28PM (10/12/2009)
Not sure about those forward b pillar, reminds me of the toyota jelly bean from back in the day
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jinushaun 2:24PM (10/12/2009)
Looks hot!
But Subaru seems to have an identity crisis. They STILL haven't figured out a way to incorporate their new corporate grille into their designs in a satisfactory manner. It works in the sketches, but looks tacked on in real life.
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BoneHeadOtto 2:24PM (10/12/2009)
YES PLEASE!
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Parlay84 2:37PM (10/12/2009)
Ugly, looks like the Toyota A-BAT concept was turned into a car.
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fabo 3:00PM (10/12/2009)
Wow, I wish the Legacy wagon looked this good. I really like wagons/hatches, but I think many of the recent wagons are trying too hard to look like SUVs and just end being too big with awkward proporitions.
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ello 3:19PM (10/12/2009)
Jeeeez, even Subaru concept cars look boring and uninspiring. At least I know from where Subie gets inspiration for its production cars.
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bee jaytee 3:13PM (10/12/2009)
I'm less interested in the internals and more hopeful that this will be the next generation Outback (or, dare I hope, Legacy wagon).
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Steve 3:57PM (10/12/2009)
Not a fan of Subaru usually but I really like the exterior design on this. It doesn't seem too far fetched for them to keep most of that styling in a production car - though I can't imagine the doors will make it on a production model.
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