MIMS 2009 – Subaru

Subaru Australia Managing Director, Nick Senior, took the stand to reveal the new EXIGA and Stella plug-in models.

The EXIGA will be on sale in Australia by November, the first market outside of Japan to receive the model. [Ed: Singapore currently has the Exiga on sale, see comments section below.] While the little Stella is a few years away yet.

My first impressions of the EXIGA were that it looks better with cover still on, but maybe my thoughts will change over time. What do you think?

Audio of Senior’s speech and images available below.

[audio:http://www.ausmotive.com/audio/MIMS09-Subaru.mp3]

EXIGA is Sixth Subaru

Subaru today confirmed the innovative and versatile EXIGA All-Wheel Drive wagon will join its Australian line-up later this year.

Unveiling a Japanese domestic-specification EXIGA at Melbourne International Motor Show, Subaru Managing Director, Nick Senior, said the six-seater family wagon will go on sale around November.

It will feature automatic transmission as standard and be powered by a normally aspirated four cylinder 2.5 litre horizontally opposed Boxer engine.

Mr Senior said: “The entry level EXIGA will include a DVD entertainment system as standard for second and third row seats.”

He confirmed EXIGA will also feature some yet-to-be revealed innovative technology.

“This will be very much a next generation Subaru vehicle and will, of course, focus on the safety, engineering integrity, durability and innovation for which we are renowned,” he said

EXIGA features a spacious cabin with sweeping dashboard, individual second row seats and a stow-away third row bench seat.

Mr Senior said the Japanese domestic specification model displayed at the Melbourne show varies from the Australian versions, but has the same exterior shape.

Australia will be the first export market for EXIGA.

Pricing will be announced at the November launch.

Subaru STELLA Plugs into the Future

Subaru is showcasing an innovative plug-in vehicle, the STELLA, at Melbourne International Motor Show from 27 February.

The four-seat STELLA mini car can be recharged to 80 per cent of its 80 kilometre range in just 15 minutes.

It will soon go into limited production for sale on the Japanese domestic market later this year.

Amazingly, STELLA costs just 93 cents per 100 kilometres to run, if charged at off-peak rates, and $1.88 at peak rates – less than a reverse cycle air conditioner^, or the combined daily cost of running a fridge/freezer and hot water system^.

Despite it’s economy, STELLA is capable of a top speed of 100 km/h.

It is also remarkably clean. Based on power supplied from a coal-fired power station, STELLA produces an estimated 12.5 kilograms (kg) of Carbondioxide (CO2) per 100 kilometres of travel, compared to 20.24 kg of CO2 for a typical 2.0 litre small car.

Nick Senior, Managing Director, Subaru Australia, said: “STELLA gives us a glimpse into an automotive future that is not too far away.

“Fuji Heavy Industries, the maker of Subaru vehicles, has made a commitment to be a world leader in electric vehicles.

“The STELLA we have in Melbourne is the latest example of an increasingly efficient and sophisticated series of prototype cars.”

STELLA can be charged from empty to full range in eight hours, based on a 100 Volt outlet, or four hours at 200V.

Plug-in STELLA cost comparator (Australian dollars):

Plug-in STELLA operating cost per 100 km – when charged at off-peak rate / 0.93

Plug-in STELLA operating cost per 100 km – when charged at peak rate / 1.88

Impreza 2.0R operating cost per 100 km / 9.24

HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE TYPICAL DAILY COSTS

Portable heaters 1.2kW* / 1.44

Radiant ceiling heating (heating whole home to 18degree C, other areas to 16 degree C* / 3.44

Reverse cycle air conditioner (4-6 star rating)^ / 1.48

Reverse cycle air conditioner (cooling whole home)^ / 3.20

Fridge/Freezer (two door, 500 litres, running 24 hours) / 0.46

Hot water system (260 litres a day, operating 24 hours) / 1.03

Combined fridge/freezer and hot water system / 1.49

STELLAs were used to transport VIPs at last year’s Hokkaido Toyako Summit of world leaders.

Four were used to transport government officials and other summit participants, while one was displayed at the Environmental Showcase, an exhibition and demonstration area in the International Media Centre.

FHI also provided one STELLA to the Japan Post group, for use in mail collection and delivery in the Toyako area during the summit.

The STELLA concept combines the EV system employed in the earlier R1e prototype with the conventional Subaru STELLA mini car body.

FHI is positioning plug-in vehicles as another viable solution for environmental preservation, and is accelerating its development work in this arena.

Plug-in STELLA specifications:
Dimensions (Length x Width x Height): 3,395mm ×1,475 ×1,660

Curb weight: 1,060 kg

Passenger seating: 4

Max.speed: 100 km/h

Per-charge driving distance: 80 km

Electric motor: Permanent magnet synchronous motor

Max. power output: 40kW

Max. torque: 150Nm

Drive-train: Front-wheel drive

Battery type: Lithium-ion batteries

Total voltage: 346V

Total energy capacity: 9.2kWh

*Heating and cooling assumes home of 150m^2 with 2.4m ceilings. Assuming eight hours a day for a typical day.
^ Heating and cooling assumes home of 150m^2 with 2.4m ceilings. Assuming four hours a day for a typical day.
All household items derived from “Operating costs of electrical appliances” by Sustainability Victoria http://www.sustainability.vic.gov.au.