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Subaru's treat for the eyes: the Hybrid Tourer Concept

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10:40 January 12, 2010

Subaru Hybrid Tourer Concept

Subaru Hybrid Tourer Concept

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Subaru rolled-out its Hybrid Tourer Concept this morning in Detroit and what a feast for the eyes it is. Featuring gullwing doors, an array of screens including one integrated into the steering wheel and a wide open interior facilitated by a flat floor design, the Hybrid Tourer first seen at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show is a showcase for the company's planned development of a gas/electric hybrid system based on the boxer engine set to hit the market in 2012.

The powertrain for the AWD Subaru Hybrid Tourer Concept Car is made up of a 2.0-liter horizontally-opposed direct fuel-injection turbo gasoline engine and two electric motors - one in the front and another in the rear - married to Subaru's Lineartronic (CVT). The electric motors add 27 HP in the front and 13 HP in the rear.

The rear motor, which can be used without engaging the gasoline engine, is used for low speed maneuvers like parking while the front engine is used during normal driving. Under full acceleration the rear electric motor is also employed to maximize power. To further reduce reliance on the gasoline engine, a stop/start system is included which shuts down the engine when the car isn't moving.

Other notable features include four independent seats, tiny rear facing cameras replacing the mirrors and new high-performance lithium batteries powering the electric motors. There's no firm details on speed or range capabilities as yet, but looking around the showfloor in Detroit, we think this one is up there with Audi's e-tron offering in terms of pure beauty.

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User Comments (4)
 

Note to Subaru -- beauty follows FUNCTION!

What is that? A car? A sculpture for a museum? A fantasy out of a video game?

You've taken up all the room in the car with unnecessary stylized nonsense.

Can I put my surfboard in it? My skis? My bicycle? Where do I put my groceries?

Stupid looking car!!!

comment DemonDuck - January 12, 2010 @ 11:14 am PST

it will pass a BEAUTY CONTEST...but try openning those doors when there's a rain storm of a snow Bllizard ...occupants will freeze and interior drenched in water...! (I assume it still rains in Japan..!!)

not very practical.

comment emxc2 - January 13, 2010 @ 10:08 am PST

Absolutely beautiful and a brilliant design. At last we have someone who wants to make

a vehicle that is more modern than anything else out there. Very clean, uncluttered with no unecessary rubbish, it has plenty of space for all the normal things one needs to be able to do with a car.

Many congratulations Subaru, this one deserves to be a big success !

comment professore - January 13, 2010 @ 12:21 pm PST

does it rain hard and blizzard all the time ?,,,, I don't think so !!!,,,,,,, how long does it take to enter or exit a vehicle ?,,,,,,,, seconds I think

comment robinyatesuk2003 - January 13, 2010 @ 07:43 pm PST
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