Subaru to develop in-house EV platform, previewed with 380kW station wagon

Subaru is looking to bring EV development beneath its own roof, after years of sharing platforms with Toyota. 

A report published by Automotive News details how Subaru unveiled its new electric vehicle platform to the media in Japan over the weekend. 

A dedicated EV platform was reportedly unveiled, featuring a new battery as well as electric motor technology. 

It was packed into a Trailseeker Mule (which is one of the Toyota partnership vehicles), but featured Subaru’s new 380kW drivetrain. 

This power output is achieved through the dual-motor drivetrain, and it can reportedly hit 100km/h from a standing start under four seconds. 

It is also reportedly around 100kg lighter than the current Toyota/Subaru platform that underpins the Trailseeker.

The axle-mounted motors have been developed in partnership with Aisin Corp, and the batteries with Panasonic Energy. 

Subaru is yet to reveal any specification details, regarding charging speed or driving range, but did mention how the platform also increases overall safety. 

The brand also plans to bring this new platform to the market by 2029, meaning a couple of years of development is still on the table. 

Speaking to Automotive News, Takatomo Watamori, Subaru’s executive officer of engineering explained how brand independence was a big driver behind the decision.

“By developing vehicles in-house and having EV technologies on our own, we can quickly deliver to our customers the peace of mind and driving pleasure that define Subaru, even in this era of change,” he said.

This pivot to in-house electric development doesn’t spell the end of Subaru’s internal combustion engines, and they will continue to develop them concurrently. 

Subaru is reportedly targeting a thermal efficiency figure of 50 per cent with these engines, which will still exist across its range.