Subaru unveiled a modified Outback with dual electric motors, all-wheel drive, and approximately 510 horsepower on October 18. This test mule demonstrates the company’s in-house EV capabilities without Toyota’s assistance.
The prototype features a front e-axle from supplier Aisin, rated at 150 kW (201 hp), paired with a stronger 230 kW (308 hp) unit at the rear. This setup enables all-wheel drive and accelerates the wagon to 62 mph in under four seconds.
Subaru’s engineers designed this platform from the ground up, allowing them to tune motor output and torque distribution without relying on Toyota’s e-TNGA architecture. This approach differs from the brand’s current electric SUVs, including the Solterra, Trailseeker, and Uncharted.
The new platform incorporates Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel-drive philosophy, similar to gas-powered models like the WRX and Outback. This dedicated electric chassis is roughly 220 pounds lighter than the architecture underpinning Subaru’s current electric models.
The battery pack uses approximately 4,000 cylindrical cells and is around 25 percent lighter than Subaru‘s previous pack. The company aims to achieve energy density roughly 20 percent above the industry average.
Subaru also developed an integrated control unit to manage motors, battery, and software from a single point. This setup supports over-the-air updates, enabling Subaru to push performance or feature changes after a vehicle is already in a customer’s driveway.
While this prototype doesn’t change Subaru’s existing plans for Toyota-based electric SUVs, it provides a glimpse into the company’s in-house EV engineering. Some of the hardware used in this test mule could reach showrooms starting in 2029, although executives haven’t confirmed a specific production model.
