Subaru Hybrid Tourer

By Sam Hardy

21st October 2009

There was no doubt as to the star of Subaru's stand at Tokyo...this amazing gullwing-doored concept is the Hybrid Tourer, and it's rumoured to point the way to a flagship coupe.

The concept uses a 2.0-litre direct injection 'Boxer' engine – mounted under the bonnet and driving the front wheels through a fuel-efficient CVT transmission. Like the Toyota Prius, it gets assistance from a 10kW electric motor when extra power is needed.

A second electric motor sends 20kW of power to the rear wheels – but only at low-speeds and when maximum acceleration is required. The system also has a generator which charges a set of lithium-ion batteries.

The layout is very compact and with no rear driveshafts, Subaru has maximised rear seat space. In additition to those gullwing doors, the dashboard also moves up and down to give the driver an excellent view ahead.

Will it make production? Well, Subaru is planning a sister car to the Toyota FT-86, and it's rumoured that the Hybrid Tourer will influence a new flagship model to sit above, occupying a place in the range vacated by the SVX.