Tokyo Auto Show: Subaru Exhibits New Roadster, City Car and Minicar

Tokyo October 20, 2003; A stunning roadster, distinctive city car and supercharged minicar take pride of place on Subaru’s stand at the 37th Tokyo Motor Show, and despite being concept cars, all three give the strongest indication yet of the new confident face of Subaru. The B9 Scrambler, R1e and R2 were all created under the guidance of ex-Alfa Romeo designer – Andreas Zapatinas – Subaru’s new Advanced Design Team’s Chief Designer. They are the first examples of his influence and share a dominant front grille aimed at conjuring up memories of Subaru’s aircraft heritage via a fusilage-shaped centre flanked by aircraft-type wings.

Subaru B9 Scrambler The low, squat two-seater Scrambler combines motor-cycle agility with off-road competence thanks to symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and variable-height air suspension with automatic self-levelling and a ride-height range of between 150 and 200 mm. The B9 Scrambler boasts a petrol/electric hybrid engine which uses an electric motor up to speeds of around 50 mph, only turning to fossil fuel when the charge drops below a certain level.

Subaru R1e Designed for ease-of-parking urban use but with a sporty stance which hints at high-grip roadholding, the 2+2 R1e is shorter than conventional Japanese minicars. It uses an Electric Vehicle power unit comprising a high-performance battery and advanced power control technology aimed at caring for the environment. The light, compact, brushless motor uses a high-energy manganese lithium-iron battery which can be re-charged via a single-phase 200V AC outlet such as that used in the air-conditioning units of many Japanese homes.

Subaru R2 This high-quality, high-performance four-door minicar is designed to be sporty and classless. The Subaru R2 has a new supercharged four-cylinder twin overhead-camshaft petrol engine with an Active Valve Control System which provides a wide power range which is fully exploited by the seven-speed sports gear shift.

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