Subaru has revealed its idea of an electric sports car at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show – the polarizing Sports Mobility Concept. It stood as a gleaming spectacle in the star-spangled booth, teasing an electrifying adaptation of the famed Subaru BRZ.
Stealing the spotlight amidst a sea of innovative concepts, Subaru’s ethos proclaimed a paradigm shift in the perception of electric vehicles. “Even in the age of electrification, it expresses the joy of being able to drive at will,” their proclamation resonated, promising an unbridled freedom to traverse everyday roads or embark on exhilarating escapades.
The unveiled concept, shrouded in mystery yet pulsating with potential, beckoned us attendees with a promise of adventure. Subaru’s portrayal, however, was more a tantalizing sneak peek than a comprehensive technical expose.
A confirmed Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV), the Subaru Sports Mobility Concept hinted at a low-seated driver position, yet the chassis design hinted at a raised cabin, owing to the battery nestled beneath. Such design implications projected a different driving experience, potentially altering perceptions of ideal driver positioning.
Details remained scant, but the interior, a juxtaposition of futuristic exteriors, harbored a production-ready semblance. A squared-off steering wheel, reminiscent of a Subaru Crosstrek, presided over an array of buttons, flaunting features like adaptive cruise control and voice commands. Its interior bore a striking resemblance to the Subaru Solterra, hinting at a possible shared platform with Toyota’s e-TNGA.
Underpinning this mysterious coupe might be the potential for a dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup, akin to the potent Lexus RZ, courtesy of the e-TNGA platform. A configuration inclusive of a single-motor RWD or front-driven layout loomed as possibilities, albeit less feasible for a sports car.
Visually, the Subaru Sports Mobility Concept juxtaposed a two-door coupe’s sporty demeanor with Subaru’s rugged identity, showcasing robust, squared-off features. The marriage of the coupe’s aggressive posture with the brand’s iconic design elements underscored a sense of strength and security, echoing the concept’s vision of protection.
Striking blue highlights danced along the exterior, offering an enigmatic contrast against the abundance of forged carbon fiber. The mysterious alloy’s use in key structural areas teased the reduction of the sports car’s weight, igniting curiosity about its performance potential.
Unlike some contemporaries at the show, the Subaru Sports Mobility Concept seemed more a vision of the distant horizon than an impending reality. Its essence embodied a preview of Subaru’s forthcoming sports car lineage, a beacon illuminating the pathway to future innovation and a potential direction for Subaru’s revered STI performance brand.
As the curtains closed on the Subaru Sports Mobility Concept, whispers of a new performance variant named STe lingered, leaving enthusiasts to dream about the untapped potential awaiting in Subaru’s electric sports car repertoire. The concept may not have promised an immediate reality but certainly heralded a thrilling and electrifying future for Subaru’s sports mobility landscape.