Subaru previews first in-house EV platform in Outback-bodied test car, targeting showrooms around 2029

First EV platform without Toyota

Subaru has previewed its first in-house electric vehicle platform developed independently of Toyota, its partner on its first three EVs, and confirmed plans to introduce it under showroom models from 2029, as reported by CarExpert. The company demonstrated the dedicated EV platform at a test track in Japan, using an engineering evaluation vehicle wearing the body of an Outback wagon modified to suit the new platform's longer wheelbase. ¹

The demonstration took place at a closed event in Japan on 18 October, according to Spain's motor.es, which credits Japan's Nikkei as its source and reports the technology was developed in roughly 40 per cent less time than usual — an effort, per Nikkei, to match the speed and cost efficiency of Chinese competitors. Telset.id likewise reports the showing at a circuit north of Tokyo on 18 October, with a camouflaged test mule. ²⁴

Toyota owns a 21.46 per cent share of Subaru, making it the smaller Japanese automaker's largest shareholder. The two companies' first three EVs — the Solterra, Trailseeker and Uncharted electric SUVs — were all developed with Toyota, with the Solterra closely related to the Toyota bZ4X, the Trailseeker to the bZ4X Touring, and the Uncharted to the electric Toyota C-HR, CarExpert notes. A fourth model, the Getaway, shares underpinnings with the electric Toyota Highlander sold in other markets but is not confirmed for Australia, and Telset.id reports its production has been postponed. ¹⁴

Subaru says the prototype showcases platform and other technologies that will underpin its first EVs developed without Toyota's direct involvement, while Telset.id reports there is no indication the Toyota partnership itself will end — what changes is the development direction for the next EV generation. Takatomo Watamori, Subaru's executive officer in charge of engineering, told Automotive News, according to CarExpert: "By developing vehicles in-house and having EV technologies on our own, we can quickly deliver to our customers the peace of mind and driving pleasure that define Subaru, even in this era of change. What matters is whether the technology itself can adapt flexibly, and whether our engineers themselves can change and evolve." ¹

Telset.id also notes the prototype has been linked to the Subaru Performance-E STI Concept shown at the Japan Mobility Show 2025, with a presenter in a video describing the test vehicle as the development car for the hardware behind that concept. The same report stresses this remains unconfirmed speculation, as Subaru has not said whether the platform will underpin a production version of the concept or carry STI or WRX badges. ⁴

Powertrain, battery and structure

The all-wheel drive test vehicle uses two e-axle drive units developed with Aisin, which also supplies Toyota, with the front motor producing 150kW and the rear 230kW, CarExpert reports. The combined 380kW output gives the test car a claimed 0-100km/h time of under 4.0 seconds — quicker than the Trailseeker, Subaru's fastest model sold in Australia at a claimed 4.4 seconds. motor.es, crediting Nikkei, puts the combined output at about 380kW or roughly 517hp, while Telset.id notes minor variation between reports of 509 and 510 horsepower for the same figure. ¹²⁴

The test car's battery was developed with Panasonic Energy and comprises 4000 cylindrical cells, with Subaru claiming a 25 per cent weight reduction compared with its previous battery, CarExpert reports; Telset.id puts the claimed reduction at 24 to 25 per cent. The company says it is targeting energy density 20 per cent above the industry average but did not disclose the battery chemistry, capacity or driving range. Telset.id adds that Subaru's engineers claim a 30 per cent efficiency improvement over the industry average for the motors, without detailing the benchmark used. ¹⁴

Telset.id reports the new EV architecture targets a weight reduction of up to 100 kilograms compared with the EVs Subaru currently produces, with its components claimed to be lighter, smaller and more efficient than those in today's models. On structure, the same report describes a redesigned front end to protect occupants and the battery in a collision, with curved supports above the front wheels to distribute impact forces and a front motor designed to rotate during an impact to help absorb energy. A reviewer for the video channel LOVECARS!TV!, quoted by Telset.id, described the prototype as having BRZ-like cornering enthusiasm with all-wheel drive traction, with double-wishbone front and five-link rear suspension — though the drive was limited to two laps at restricted speeds and the channel framed it as an initial impression rather than a full assessment. ⁴

Software, electronics and faster development

Subaru is developing its own integrated electronic control unit (ECU) working with US-based Advanced Micro Devices on a custom chip, CarExpert reports. The integrated ECU will support artificial intelligence and advanced driver-assistance systems, including future versions of Subaru's EyeSight system, and will also manage powertrain, chassis and infotainment functions while enabling over-the-air software updates. motor.es describes the ECU as 100 per cent Subaru-developed, and Telset.id reports Subaru plans to manufacture the unit itself and use it across its line-up to reduce costs. ¹²⁴

Watamori said, according to MotorBox's Italian-language report: "We want to offer customers affordable cars, keeping them constantly updated". MotorBox also quotes him saying: "There are things we should learn from Chinese manufacturers and from new players like Tesla... From now on we will work hard on our flexibility." MotorBox reports Subaru will run prototyping, design, testing and production preparation in parallel rather than sequentially, shifting part of the work to digital, with the aim of cutting development time by 40 per cent; it says one phase that previously took two years was completed in twelve months using the digital method. ³

MotorBox adds that Subaru wants half of components shared across models and aims to halve the number of steps along the supply chain, and reports the first in-house-designed electric car should be presented no earlier than 2028. CarExpert, however, states Subaru has confirmed plans to introduce the platform under showroom models from 2029, and Telset.id reports no confirmed model or launch date, with some executives indicating part of the demonstrated technology would reach the market by 2029. ¹³⁴

Slowing EV timeline, shifting investment

Subaru retains its goal of EVs accounting for 50 per cent of its annual global sales but now expects to reach that milestone after its original 2030 deadline, CarExpert reports. It has also reconsidered a previous ambition to offer eight EVs globally by the end of 2028, and is reallocating a planned ¥1.5 trillion (A$13.6 billion) electrification investment to include next-generation petrol- and hybrid-powered models, with ¥300 billion (A$2.7 billion) already invested. ¹

"Given the increasing demand for hybrids and the reappraisal of internal combustion engines, it is appropriate to delay the timing of full-scale EV mass production investment," Subaru president Atsushi Osaki said in a statement, as quoted by CarExpert. The same report notes Subaru earlier this year announced plans to phase out its mild-hybrid e-Boxer technology in favour of strong-hybrid powertrains incorporating Toyota technology, while retaining the e-Boxer name. Separately, Subaru is continuing to develop combustion engines targeting 50 per cent thermal efficiency, though CarExpert adds the brand will reportedly axe its iconic boxer petrol engines in Europe after 2027. motor.es and MotorBox, crediting Nikkei, report plans for future evolutions of the Subaru Global Platform for petrol and hybrid cars to shed 100kg relative to current versions. ¹²³

Telset.id reports Subaru targets deliveries of 1.2 million vehicles per year in the first half of the 2030s, supported by ten planned new models, exceeding its 2018 record of about 1.1 million units, with roughly 924,000 vehicles sold worldwide in 2025 — figures consistent with motor.es, which cites 923,873 global sales for Subaru against about 11.3 million for Toyota over the same period. ²⁴

Australian and production context

Subaru Australia's three current EVs use 74.7kWh CATL lithium-ion batteries, with maximum claimed WLTP range of 566km for the Solterra, 533km for the Trailseeker and 522km for the Uncharted, CarExpert reports. The Solterra was the brand's first EV in Australia, with order books opening in late 2023 ahead of its March 2024 release, followed by the Trailseeker and Uncharted this year. The prototype's sub-4.0-second claimed 0-100km/h time would make it quicker than the Trailseeker, the fastest Subaru currently sold in Australia. ¹

Subaru's own Japanese-language news release of 4 February 2026 confirms the company began production of battery EVs at its own Yajima plant within the Gunma manufacturing complex from February 2026, following line modifications begun in August 2025 to build BEVs on the same line as internal combustion and hybrid vehicles. The release states the new Trailseeker — the second model in the company's global BEV line-up, co-developed with Toyota — is built there, and marks the first BEV produced at Subaru's own factory for a global model, as the Toyota alliance marked its 20th anniversary in 2025. ⁵