Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd (FHI), a global manufacturer of transportation
and aerospace-related products and the maker of Subaru automobiles,
today announced the unveiling of a revolutionary concept car, the Subaru
B11S, at the 73rd International Geneva Motor Show to be held from 6 to
16 March. Combining sophisticated sporty design with ample interior
space, the Subaru B11S represents a new type of four-door Coupe. While
it was developed to demonstrate FHI’s future design direction and its
strengthened design capabilities, the Subaru B11S also features superb
driving performance, which is ensured by a symmetrical AWD (all-wheel
drive) system in combination with a horizontally-opposed engine.
Since Kyoji Takenaka assumed the title
of President and Chief Operating Officer in June 2001, FHI has been
enhancing its design capabilities as part of company-wide reforms aimed
at improving the Subaru brand. One year later, as FHI began placing
greater emphasis on the importance of design development, the long
experienced Subaru car designer, Kiyoshi Sugimoto, was promoted to the
position of Vice President and General Manager of Subaru Design
Department, which marked the first time that a car designer was
appointed as an executive officer. The Subaru B11S is the first concept
car designed under the leadership of Mr. Sugimoto with guidance from Mr.
Takenaka in initial concept development. The Barcelona-based independent
design studio, Fuore Design International, under the leadership of Erwin
Himmel, which has been retained by FHI as a consultancy,
fullycontributed to the creation of the B11S.
The B11S has been developed to pursue
the concept of Gran Utility Turismo, which symbolises the embodiment of
the perfect blend of sporty driving, comfort, functionality and
elegance. The car incorporates all the crucial ingredients of this
concept. It features attractive styling and packaging, which further
reflect FHI’s corporate philosophy, Innovative, Individual and
Courageous; Subaru’s technological strengths, such as the
horizontally-opposed engine and a symmetrical AWD system; and driving
performance equivalent to a high-performance sports car for the
enthusiast.
The exterior design, composed of
sophisticated flowing curves, expresses an elegant, sleek Coupe, in
spite of the fact that the car comfortably accommodates four adults. The
front fascia, which fortifies its sporty look, conjures up the turbine
of a small jet plane and the freedom of flying wings – an association
with FHI’s corporate roots as an aircraft company, as well as a
reminder of outstanding aerodynamic technology and performance. The two
pairs of side doors open like gates and latch in the middle without a
conventional B-pillar, an arrangement that facilitates access to the
back seats and makes interior room seem even more spacious. Developed
specifically for the B11S, the frosted glass roof provides an open-air
feeling, as in a convertible, and it creates a pleasant soft light
inside the vehicle that enhances the quality look of its interior. The
unique glass roof design was inspired by the design and construction of
traditional Japanese umbrellas.
In sharp contrast to the white pearl
body colour, for the interior of the B11S the colour blue has been
selected, influenced by Subaru's characteristic colour. Strong emphasis
was placed on crafting an understated yet high-quality ambience in the
cabin’s design, which is reminiscent of Japanese interior decoration
and its attention-to-detail approach. In addition, the folding rear
seats allow easy access to and from the trunk for luggage or sports
equipment. The interior provides a comfortable space for passengers and
offers practical solutions at the same time.
The B11S has been equipped with a new
horizontally-opposed, 6-cylinder engine. This engine, which will meet
both the needs of driving pleasure and the demands of environmental
considerations, is currently under development. A twin turbocharged
engine is being developed that will ensure a smooth ride in low- and
middle-speed ranges while it achieves a maximum output of 400 hp and a
maximum torque of 550 Nm. The symmetrical AWD system integrated with a
5-speed automatic transmission comes with VTD (variable torque
distribution), Subaru’s unique, electronically controlled torque
distribution system. While the basic torque distribution ratio of front
to rear wheels is set at 35% and 65% respectively, the VTD optimally
controls the torque distribution between front and rear wheels according
to driving conditions and realises a high level of balance between the
yawing tendency of a vehicle and high-speed stability. |