EVs are becoming mainstream ad Subaru obviously wants to be a big part of it by unveiling ambitious projects. In fact, the automaker has debuted two concept EVs at the Tokyo Auto Salon including its very first all-electric race car.
The new EV is dubbed STI E-RA Concept is a powerful vehicle with 1,073HP of total power from its four Yamaha motors, an extensive downforce, and all-wheel drive that’s meant to give it a unique torque vectoring system.
The vehicle also sports a 60kWh battery which is quite small but the E-RA is believed to thrive very well on track. Subaru is also hoping to set a Nürburgring lap race time of 6 minutes and 40 seconds by the year 2023.
But being a track car, that puts its speed right above street-legal vehicles such as the Tesla Model S Plaid with 7 minutes and 35 seconds. The company plans to test the E-RA at Japanese racing circuits later in 2022.
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Apart from that, Subaru also unveiled a Solterra STI Concept and it’s a sportier version of the upcoming crossover. The automaker didn’t however discuss under-body changes even though the upgraded Solterra will come with a roof spoiler, skirt spoiler, and other customizations that’ll make it perform much better.
However much the E-RA represents Subaru’s motorsport plans, it’s also serving as a declaration of intent. Like VW’s racer, it shows the company is serious about EVs and can produce high-performance cars in addition to everyday people haulers.
Even though that is exciting news, Subaru is quite late in the EV market compared to other automakers such as VW, Mercedes, and GM all of which are planning to electrify their models before the next decade.