11/13/10

2005 Subaru B5-TPH Concept

Cars Mania Blog
Auto Car | 2005 Subaru B5-TPH Concept | Subaru, known for their all-wheel-drive vehicles, revealed their “high-powered hybrid” concept model at the Tokyo Motor Show. The model is called the B5-TPH (Turbo Parallel Hybrid), and is a 3-door coupe, carrying a 260 bhp, 2.0-litre engine. The hybrid feature is provided by an electric motor/generator which sits between the transmission and the car’s engine.

It features a 4-cylinder, horizontally-opposed petrol engine which appears nowhere else in the existing Subaru range. It also boasts a Miller-cycle system, first seen in Mazda’s experimentations in the mid-90s with their Millenia sedan model. The main function of the system is to provide increased engine efficiency, reducing loss through pumping through the use of a power stroke or combustion expansion which is significantly longer than a standard compression stroke.

Although the Miller-system is normally considered to increase engine sluggishness at low speeds, the inclusion of the electric motor in the B5-TPH boosts standing-start torque to a level which, according the Subaru, outperforms even the Impreza Turbo.

The statistics for the electric motor are as follows: 13.4 bhp (10 kW) power, with 110 lb/ft (150 Nm) of torque. This is combined with the 256 bhp (191 kW) output and 253 lb/ft (343 Nm) torque produced by the petrol engine to give the overall performance figures.

The electric motor also serves as a generator, featuring a new manganese lithium-ion battery, which is chargeable to 95% capacity within just 5 minutes. The battery also operates during both urban driving conditions and when the vehicle is cruising. According to the manufacturer, this represents an economically viable solution to the dilemma of providing improved fuel consumption and reduced emissions whilst not wishing to compromise on the performance and acceleration demanded by driving enthusiasts.

In terms of styling, the Subaru B5-TPH features a crossover design with smooth contours and a sizeable tailgate, with the hinge sitting close behind the B-post. The crossover styling was designed by Subaru in partnership with the Forester. The result is a vehicle which brings together the functional, practical nature of a hatchback, the sporty fun of a coupe design, and the versatility and capabilities of a Sports Utility Vehicle, topped off by the generous eight inches of space between the bottom of the vehicle and the road surface.

Subaru suggest that, whilst the B5-TPH bears some resemblance to previous concept models, including the B9 Scrambler and B11S, it is not intended to suggest any future design directions. However, given the prominence and desirability of hybrid technology in the current climate, it is difficult to see what other reason Subaru would produce such a concept were it not an indication of things to come.

Source : www.sport-cars.org

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1 comment:

  1. How exciting is this Subaru concept looking! I just like to see this this type of super Subaru model.
    I hope this will give more amusing to me in driving and going for a long journey.
    Thank you.

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