German Car Zone

Tokyo 2007 Preview: Subaru Exiga Concept

With the new STI out of the way, we can now bring on Subaru's 2007 Tokyo Motor Show concepts. First up is the Exiga, an AWD wagon that almost certainly previews a future production vehicle -- the next Legacy, perhaps? In concept form, the Exiga sits on a 2750mm wheelbase and is powered by a 1994cc 4-cylinder turbo. Inside, the concept's airy cabin (note the expansive roof glass) is finished in white leather meant to emulate the seating on a luxury yacht. Looks like a car to us, though. Exiga also contains enough multipurpose video screens to set new benchmarks for distracted driving. Look for the car's shapes to transition to production and for the myriad video screens to stay behind in concept fantasyland. Drivers are addled enough as it is, you know?

[Source: Autoblog.com]

Not that the whole car is pretty or anything, but the profile is hideous!

Oh dear, just when I thought that Subaru were coming right!

Actually it's not that bad. See the boxy proportions and rather upright windscreen. What about the interior that's reminiscent of the new Impreza's? I think we're looking at a concept to preview elements of the next generation Forester.

This car seriousely remind me of this Honda Accord concept, the colour, the headlight design, and espically the grill, whatever happened to the traditional octagon shaped grill?



This Subaru concept looks like a MPV, I hope the next Forester won't have such an odd side profile.

EXIGA CONCEPT Press Release
A Touring 7-seater for an exhilarating and liberating drive: The Exiga Concept.
Aim of Development

The keyword is “7-Seater Panoramic Touring” . The Exiga Concept is a completely new 7-seater proposal which has an exceptional balance of roomy space with agile and easy driving even while comfortably seating 7 passengers. This was made possible by integrating Subaru’s packaging expertise cultivated over many years with the touring wagon, with the driving core technology leveraging Symmetrical AWD with a Horizontally-Opposed engine at its core. Subaru offers new and fun driving performance and a luxurious space of relaxation for all passengers.

Main Features
A lofty 360-degree panorama view To create a spacious and ample interior that is pleasant for all 7 passengers, we have incorporated a super-size glass roof. To ensure that all seats have nice panoramic views, the seats are gradually higher toward the back in a theater layout.

Visibility around the vehicle is further secured by eight view monitors in the instrument panel. Combined with excellent direct visibility, there is no need to be anxious about maneuvering the vehicle.

A combination of pleasant driving and a comfortable ride With the excellent weight balance of Subaru’s unique Symmetrical AWD coming from its low center of gravity and the newly developed chassies that offers innovative driving, we have balanced pleasant driving and a comfortable ride typical of a Subaru, all while securing interior comfort for 7 passengers.

For the power unit, we have combined a 2-liter Horizontally-Opposed turbo engine that balances power feeling that is characteristic of a higher displacement naturally-aspirated (NA) engine and

excellent mileage, with a precisely controlling 5-speed automatic transmission. This allows for powerful and smooth driving, even with 7 passengers.

Design
The fusion of function and beauty, combining agile and reassuring driving performance with enriched interior space, all suggest the direction of Subaru design.

Exterior
The airy and enriched interior space was rendered with a body consisting of a firm surface texture that suggests superb athletic ability, like a well-proportioned athlete’s body. The bright candy red and pearlescent coloring expresses its unparalleled presence, well-defined dimensions, and powerful dynamism.

While creating an exterior that is suggestive of its airy cabin space, we have optimized the A-pillar angle for good visibility. For the side rear view camera, we have incorporated a wedge-shape to render the momentum from the A-pillar flow. We used LED for the headlights and created a unique design that combines function and playfulness.

Interior
The theme is a luxurious and adult space that offers relaxation. The bright and high-quality leather interior using mostly pearl white and blue suggests the refreshing and luxurious feel of being on a cruiser deck. Additionally, a clear blue display zone that stretches from left to right has been installed in the instrumental panel. This shows many faces, at times a safe range of view and at times entertainment for its passengers.

The seats securely support the bodies of passengers while in motion and also offer convenience with versatile arranging. The seats in the back are equipped with folding tables similar to passenger airplanes. A soothing space is rendered at night with indirect lighting on the ceiling and side doors, giving this a different look from daytime.

[Source: WCF]

Press Release
Subaru Reveals G4e Electric Concept

With a sporty and dynamically styled body that defies the conventional image of eco-cars, this next generation compact EV* is loaded with a newly developed battery and has achieved more than double the range of the current advanced EV “R1e”
Aim of Development

With an innovative compact body suggestive of the near future, the G4e Concept is a new eco-car from Subaru equipped with zero-emission technology. Subaru is actively researching and developing EV, such as the R1e being developed jointly with Tokyo Electric Power Company. Noteworthy among developments by Subaru is a new battery using vanadium that makes it possible to significantly increase range by increasing energy density.
Design

Amidst diversifying lifestyles, we aspire for a lifestyle with automobiles to become more accessible and exciting. Our aim is to combine a spacious interior with a sporty exterior look while maintaining the compact size.
Exterior

The triangular shape in its silhouette is representative of the image of high performance and moving toward the future. Functional parts such as the headlights were also coordinated with a mechanical design, to suggest excitement toward the future. The triangular shaped body that is suggestive of motion is also functional, achieving coefficient of drag (Cd) value of 0.276 to reduce energy loss. The rear view camera integrated with the metallic trim of the A-pillar is designed as a wedge that takes and stops the flow of the trim for a look of momentum.

A charging connecter that can be used both at home and for fast-charging is positioned on the bottom center of the front bumper.
Interior

The trim and seats are based in red and white to create a colorful and uplifting atmosphere. The space is suggestive of VIP box seats in an opera theater. We have designed this with the image of two friendly couples freely maneuvering the surrounding environment from the various situations unfolding in front of them and information conveyed through a large display screen. The display linking the front window and the floor via the center of the instrument panel is the image of a dynamically flowing waterfall, symbolizing the exciting interior of this car.
Main Features

Packaging that is beyond the expectation to an EV and good driving performance While the G4e Concept is designed to fit within the Japanese compact segment, we have secured the largest wheel base of its class (2,650mm) and succeeded in creating flat and spacious floor space by storing the battery completely underneath the floor. Despite being an EV, the interior is roomy and comfortable

and can seat five people. Loading the heavyweight battery under the floor also offers the benefit of lowering the center of gravity. Combined with a lighter exclusive aluminum chassis, the weight is well balanced in the front and back so that drivers have full control of the vehicle.

A new battery that dramatically extends range The source of power for the G4e Concept is a new Next Generation lithium-ion battery developed exclusively by Subaru. With technology to efficiently load our original high-capacity vanadium material that can store two to three times more lithium ions than conventional materials onto the positive terminal, energy density is about double that of manganese lithium-ion batteries of the same weight. Combining this with a lighter vehicle body and improved electricity efficiency technology, about 200 km of travel is possible with one battery charge. There is also no maintenance involved.

A 15-minute quick charge is possible at charging stations Batteries can be charged fully in about 8 hours from a home AC power source. The cost of electricity is approximately one-third of gasoline. If it is charged only in the night while discount rate is offered, it would cost just one-tenth, making this very economical. With charging stations installed in urban locations such as supermarkets, hospitals, and public facilities, an 80% quick charge would be possible in 15 minutes, so the battery can be charged during a quick shopping trip or while taking a break. Your range of activities can expand with everyday driving using the air conditioner as well as day-trip drives with family and friends.

[Source: WCF]

The Exiga concept is none of the above, and I really hope this is not the direction of future Subaru Design.

Is Zapatinas still the design chef ?

He was gone since the middle of last year.