Concept Car: 2004 Subaru B9SC - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Cynthetiq · 01-30-2004, 11:37 AM

Quote:

SUBARU SHOWCASES TWO ALTERNATE-PROPULSION CONCEPT VEHICLES AT NORTH AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW

DETROIT, January 4, 2004 - Subaru for the first time displayed two advanced-technology concept cars in the United States, revealing details of the B9 SC hybrid-drive sports roadster and the R1e urban electric commuter vehicle to news media at the North American International Auto Show. Both of these Subaru concept vehicles also showcase signature elements of the brand's evolving design language being developed under the direction of Subaru Chief Designer Andreas Zapatinas.

The two-seat B9 SC roadster melds high-performance driving and environmental compatibility in an exciting, fun-to-drive sports roadster. Subaru believes that hybrid gas/electric powered vehicles will be the link in evolution from purely internal combustion engines to fuel cell-powered electric vehicles. Using its own hybrid drive technology, Subaru will be able to offer customers the kind of performance they are enjoying in the brand's growing roster of turbocharged models.

Subaru Develops New Type of Hybrid Technology
The hybrid system in the Subaru B9 SC is ideally suited to work with the brand's existing Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive systems and could be adapted to current vehicle platforms. The hybrid drive technology itself differs significantly from that used in most current production and proposed hybrid vehicles. In most hybrids, an electric motor is used to assist an internal combustion engine. The Sequential Series Hybrid Electric Vehicle (SSHEV) propulsion system in the Subaru B9 SC works the other way around.

The SSHEV system teams a powerful electric motor with a 2.0-liter DOHC Subaru boxer 4-cylinder gas engine. At low and midrange speeds, the gasoline engine is used primarily to charge the advanced laminated lithium-ion batteries. At speeds over 50 mph, the B9 SC runs only on its gasoline engine. Thus, the internal combustion engine always runs in its most efficient speed range. To provide extra performance on hills and when the driver demands quicker acceleration, the SSHEV system seamlessly combines output from both the electric motor and gas engine through a special two-way clutch. The compact SSHEV propulsion system could easily be housed within the footprint of the Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system used in current Subaru models. The SSHEV system places a generator between the Subaru Boxer engine and the transmission. A two-way clutch, the high-performance electric motor and the AWD transfer gearing are all neatly integrated into the transmission case.

Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, height-adjustable suspension and large wheels with run-flat tires give the Subaru B9 SC concept trail-driving capability, making it a sports car for all roads. The concept vehicle's lower body features a special protective paint that also wraps over the upper body behind the doors to provide unity to the design. The windshield is made of a special mirror reflective glass.

New Design Direction Takes Wing
Under the leadership of Andreas Zapatinas, Subaru is creating a new design direction to highlight the uniqueness of the brand. Formerly the head of design for Alfa Romeo, Zapatinas believes that the brand's wide ranging appeal - from outdoors enthusiasts to rally enthusiasts - can be communicated by a single design language. Viewing the B9 head-on reveals the design's most striking element: the front grill and air intakes shaped to suggest the wing of an airplane. Zapatinas and his staff drew on the brand's aircraft heritage to create the new theme, which can also be seen in the R1e electric commuter vehicle.

Sensible Urban Commuter
The Subaru R1e is a pure electric vehicle designed to appeal to singles or couples in urban markets where small, easily maneuverable commuter vehicles make sense for many drivers. The advanced laminated lithium ion batteries, developed by a joint venture between Subaru and NEC Corp., can be charged by plugging the vehicle into the type of AC outlet used for large home air conditioners.

About Subaru of America, Inc.
Subaru of America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. of Japan. Headquartered near Philadelphia, the company markets and distributes All-Wheel Drive Subaru vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of nearly 600 dealers across the United States. Subaru is the only car company that offers Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive as standard equipment on every vehicle in its product line.

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An interesting design and concept. reminds me of the commercial from the 80's....

"But Dad, it's a Subaru..."

coventryblack · 01-30-2004, 11:48 AM

All that and the beauty of All Wheel Drive? sign me up!

Spyder_Venom · 01-30-2004, 12:23 PM

Intresting concept for the sub. I never thought they would go after the two seater, convt. crowd. Looks quite good!

Halx · 01-30-2004, 12:56 PM

looks a little runty... not sleek enough for a topless

Cynthetiq · 01-30-2004, 01:02 PM

don't forget that it's also a HYBRID vehicle too!

powerclown · 01-30-2004, 01:41 PM

Looks like a hockey puck...

MSD · 01-30-2004, 01:46 PM

Hmm, seeing as Subaru managed to get the WRX to be ultra-low emissions, this should be next to nothing. I'll take two ... really, I probably won't fit in just one. Kind of disappointing to see that it's missing a pedal, but hey, they'll manage to still make it cool.

silent_jay · 01-30-2004, 02:21 PM

I loved Subaru before and I love them even more now

yakimushi · 01-30-2004, 06:09 PM

Everything about it looks pretty sweet, except for one thing.

That steering wheel looks useless.

Confederate · 01-30-2004, 07:42 PM

I think it looks hella sweet, I love the illumination of the interior, plus the headlight housing is different but also cool

Rippley · 02-03-2004, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by MrSelfDestruct
Hmm, seeing as Subaru managed to get the WRX to be ultra-low emissions, this should be next to nothing. I'll take two ... really, I probably won't fit in just one. Kind of disappointing to see that it's missing a pedal, but hey, they'll manage to still make it cool.

Enzo's missing a pedal to, but that wouldn't stop me

Sweet Scooby, good post.

wrongfullyaccuzd · 02-03-2004, 08:00 AM

The grill looks a little inflated, it doesn't look Subaru. Neither do the lights! The rest of it looks cool though.

Scorps · 02-03-2004, 10:58 AM

Not a bad looking design but the interior is messed!

Charlatan · 02-03-2004, 11:09 AM

That's a hybrid! Sweet car indeed.

supafly · 02-04-2004, 02:43 AM

I like it a lot! Except for the headlights.

absorbentishe · 02-04-2004, 06:37 AM

I'd be open to buying that! I think it's pretty sweet looking.

ARTelevision · 02-04-2004, 06:42 AM

...I prefer straight gasoline. besides that though, I like it - mainly because it has that short stubby look and at the same time it looks sleek. I like how they pulled that off - designwise...

02-04-2004, 02:08 PM

ehhh... im not feelin the two tone. looks 2 plasticy

sadistikdreams · 02-04-2004, 07:59 PM

that is my car... if it comes out in black.....

BigDonkey2 · 02-04-2004, 08:13 PM

that looks sweet

Cordachine007 · 02-05-2004, 12:18 AM

The car is in the March issue of ROAD & TRACK. Check it out!

mr_mcrafe · 02-05-2004, 03:24 AM

Hmm, it's an interesting and somewhat dangerous step to move from the performance family cars to that. Here in NZ Subaru is renowned for it's off-road capabilities and 'adventureness', it's a symbol of NZ lifestyle. Changing their brand image to just performance vehicles on the whole is not a wise move imo, it would take away their special feel.

That car looks alright, I don't like the lights & grill though.

Vaultboy · 02-08-2004, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by wrongfullyaccuzd
The grill looks a little inflated, it doesn't look Subaru. Neither do the lights! The rest of it looks cool though.

You can expect the "look" of subaru to undergo a styling change in the coming years: That was to be expected when they signed Alfa Romeo's head designer.

Besides, Subaru need to expand their lineup anyway and Spread the AWD goodness.

Tempboy · 02-09-2004, 04:33 AM

That's a sweeeeeeet lookin' car.
Looks kinda retro.

theblackmax455 · 03-01-2004, 12:23 PM

wow me and hybrid don't get along well at all..........I'm a die hard rev it high, make the neighbors crap themselves when you start your camaro kinda guy, the hybrids just don't do it for me.......

bookerV · 03-02-2004, 06:16 AM

I'm not really a fan of that car.
interesting that subaru is trying to go down that road, but i dont like that design...

01-30-2004, 11:48 AM	#2 (permalink)
coventryblack Upright Location: Northwest Woods	All that and the beauty of All Wheel Drive? sign me up! __________________ Don't hit at all if it is honorably possible to avoid hitting; but never hit soft. -Teddy Roosevelt

01-30-2004, 12:23 PM	#3 (permalink)
Spyder_Venom Psycho Location: MN	Intresting concept for the sub. I never thought they would go after the two seater, convt. crowd. Looks quite good! __________________ The local track whore

01-30-2004, 12:56 PM	#4 (permalink)
Halx Please touch this. Owner/Admin Location: Manhattan	looks a little runty... not sleek enough for a topless __________________ You have found this post informative. -The Administrator [Don't Feed The Animals]

01-30-2004, 01:02 PM	#5 (permalink)
Cynthetiq Tilted Cat Head Administrator Location: Manhattan, NY	don't forget that it's also a HYBRID vehicle too! __________________ I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not. What's the best nation in the world? DO-NATION!

01-30-2004, 02:21 PM	#8 (permalink)
silent_jay Her Jay Location: Ontario for now....	I loved Subaru before and I love them even more now __________________ Absence makes the heart grow fonder

01-30-2004, 01:41 PM	#6 (permalink)
powerclown Junkie Location: Detroit, MI	Looks like a hockey puck...

01-30-2004, 01:46 PM	#7 (permalink)
MSD The sky calls to us ... Super Moderator Location: CT	Hmm, seeing as Subaru managed to get the WRX to be ultra-low emissions, this should be next to nothing. I'll take two ... really, I probably won't fit in just one. Kind of disappointing to see that it's missing a pedal, but hey, they'll manage to still make it cool.

01-30-2004, 06:09 PM	#9 (permalink)
yakimushi Addict	Everything about it looks pretty sweet, except for one thing. That steering wheel looks useless.

01-30-2004, 07:42 PM	#10 (permalink)
Confederate Death Leprechaun Location: College Station, TX	I think it looks hella sweet, I love the illumination of the interior, plus the headlight housing is different but also cool

02-03-2004, 08:00 AM	#12 (permalink)
wrongfullyaccuzd Addict Location: NoVA	The grill looks a little inflated, it doesn't look Subaru. Neither do the lights! The rest of it looks cool though.

02-03-2004, 10:58 AM	#13 (permalink)
Scorps Lost!! Location: Kingston, Ontario	Not a bad looking design but the interior is messed! __________________ A.K.A. PainTrain

02-03-2004, 11:09 AM	#14 (permalink)
Charlatan Getting it. Super Moderator Location: Lion City	That's a hybrid! Sweet car indeed. __________________ "My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars." - Old Man Luedecke

02-04-2004, 02:43 AM	#15 (permalink)
supafly Psycho Location: Rotterdam	I like it a lot! Except for the headlights. __________________ Thumbs up

02-04-2004, 06:37 AM	#16 (permalink)
absorbentishe Boy am I horny today Location: T O L E D O, Toledo!!	I'd be open to buying that! I think it's pretty sweet looking.

02-04-2004, 06:42 AM	#17 (permalink)
ARTelevision I change Location: USA	...I prefer straight gasoline. besides that though, I like it - mainly because it has that short stubby look and at the same time it looks sleek. I like how they pulled that off - designwise... __________________ create evolution

02-04-2004, 07:59 PM	#19 (permalink)
sadistikdreams lonely rolling star Location: Seattle.	that is my car... if it comes out in black..... __________________ "Besides the noble art of getting things done, there is the noble art of leaving things undone. The wisdom of life consists in the elimination of non-essentials." -Lin Yutang hearts, by d.a.

02-04-2004, 02:08 PM	#18 (permalink)
mciprepaid Guest	ehhh... im not feelin the two tone. looks 2 plasticy

02-04-2004, 08:13 PM	#20 (permalink)
BigDonkey2 Insane Location: California	that looks sweet

02-05-2004, 12:18 AM	#21 (permalink)
Cordachine007 Tilted Location: MI....GO BLUE!	The car is in the March issue of ROAD & TRACK. Check it out!

02-05-2004, 03:24 AM	#22 (permalink)
mr_mcrafe Banned Location: auckland, nz	Hmm, it's an interesting and somewhat dangerous step to move from the performance family cars to that. Here in NZ Subaru is renowned for it's off-road capabilities and 'adventureness', it's a symbol of NZ lifestyle. Changing their brand image to just performance vehicles on the whole is not a wise move imo, it would take away their special feel. That car looks alright, I don't like the lights & grill though.

02-09-2004, 04:33 AM	#24 (permalink)
Tempboy Insane Location: The Red Mile	That's a sweeeeeeet lookin' car. Looks kinda retro.

03-01-2004, 12:23 PM	#25 (permalink)
theblackmax455 Tilted Location: Columbus, Ohio	wow me and hybrid don't get along well at all..........I'm a die hard rev it high, make the neighbors crap themselves when you start your camaro kinda guy, the hybrids just don't do it for me....... __________________ "Whaddaya want me to do? Whack a guy? Off a guy? Whack off a guy? Cuz I'm married." -Peter Griffin, Family Guy

03-02-2004, 06:16 AM	#26 (permalink)
bookerV Addict Location: Ontario, Canada	I'm not really a fan of that car. interesting that subaru is trying to go down that road, but i dont like that design... __________________ "That's why you're the judge and I'm the law-talking guy." Lionel Hutz