11/13/10

2003 Subaru R1e Concept

Cars Mania Blog
Auto Car | 2003 Subaru R1e Concept | Exhibited at the Tokyo Motor Show, as a mobile tool that fits well with personal use in the urban life, the Subaru R1e features a 2 + 2 layout packaging. The Electric Vehicle (EV) power unit uses a high-performance battery and advanced power control technology with consideration given to the environment as well. End of Subaru R1e Concept review.

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.

Subaru’s parent company, Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI), has announced that the R1e electric vehicle will begin silently rolling off dealer lots come 2009, which is a year ahead of schedule. Based off the standard gasoline-powered R1, the R1e scraps the 658-cc four-cylinder engine in favor of an electric motor and a set of lithium-ion batteries. The car can only reach 62 mph and a maximum range of 50 miles, but it can be recharged to 80% capacity in eight minutes - making it an ideal commuter car for Japan’s densely-populated urban cities.

Prices haven’t been released for the 2009 launch, but FHI says that by 2012 or 2013, it expects to be able to sell the car for around $17,500. A couple more years of mass production of the battery should allow for a price drop to about $13,100. Initially, FHI only plans to sell 100 of the cars annually, which is only 60 more than are being tested on roads right now and sounds rather conservative to us. Nevertheless, for those of you in Japan, your electric future is nearly here.

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.

Source : www.ultimatecarpage.com

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