Subaru STELLA Plug-in Electric Vehicle to begin test runs in Japan

Having completed the development of the Plug-in STELLA electric vehicle (EV) prototype model, Subaru has announced that it is ready to test its eco-friendly microcar in real life conditions by providing fifteen units to Japan's Ministry of Environment this summer. Based on the production STELLA, the plug-in EV is equipped with an electric motor that produces 47kW (up from 40kW on the initial prototypes).

Subaru also said that, compared with the first prototypes, it has further enhanced the EV's efficiency by lightening the body weight and fine-tuning output management as well as optimizing and downsizing the battery pack design.

Subaru to Showcase Stella Plug-In Electric Concept at G8 Summit

Subaru has revealed the first details of its Plug-in Stella Concept model, a prototype electric vehicle (EV) that combines the EV system employed in the R1e with the Japanese market only mini car, Stella. The 3.4 meter long concept is powered by a 40kw strong electric motor that develops 150Nm of torque and is capable of covering a distance of 80km or 50miles with a single charge of its lithium-ion batteries. The front wheel drive mini car’s top speed is 100 km/h or 62 mph. -Continued

The Japanes carmaker will provide five units of the Plug-in Stella Concept for use at the Hokkaido Toyako Summit to be held July 7 through 9, 2008. Four of the five cars will be used to transport government officials and other participants at the summit, while one vehicle will be displayed at the Environmental Showcase and it will also be available for a test drive. In addition, Subaru will provide one Stella Concept model to the Japan Post group for use in mail collection and delivery in the vicinity of Toyako during the summit.

Subaru plans to use the Plug-in Stella Concept in the development and test-marketing of the next generation of EV in Japan in the near future.

Subaru Stella RS-S Custom Edition With STi Body-Parts

The Japanese-market only Stella minicar that was introduced in 2006 has received the “STi-treatment” from Subaru’s in house-tuner. Despite its promising name, the Stella RS-S Custom Edition didn’t get any mechanical upgrades as STi focused its attention solely on the kei-car’s appearance.

The STi pack includes front and rear spoilers, HID headlights, carbon-fibre decoration on the window-sills, 14-inch alloy wheels and a chromed tailpipe. In the interior, the Stella RS-S Custom Edition receives a bi-color steering wheel, aluminum sport pedals, contrastive burgundy seats and aluminium decorative trim. As we said previously, there are no changes under the hood with the Stella RS-S Custom Edition being offered in FWD or AWD versions all equipped with a 660cc 4-cylinder engine coupled to an i-CVT CVT (intelligent continuously variable transmission). In all, only 500 units of the Stella RS-S Custom Edition will be built. -Click “Read More…” for the image gallery

Via: insideline , Source: Subaru