Look out BYD Atto 3 and Tesla Model Y? Subaru Solterra order books to finally open as Toyota bZ4X twin arrives in Australia
The order books for the delayed Subaru Solterra will finally open in October, with the Japanese brand promising its first electric vehicle will be on sale in Australia before the end of the year.
In fact, at least one prototype vehicle has already arrived in Australia. That puts it about six months behind schedule, but the delay isn’t entirely surprising, given the challenging global rollout of its twin, the Toyota bZ4X.
Like the Subaru BRZ and Toyota 86, the Solterra and bZ4X is a a joint venture between the two Japanese automakers, but the Subaru has moved to assure buyers that its vehicle will feel like a Subaru.
READ MORE: The electric year ahead: Every EV coming to Australia in 2023
READ MORE: The five best family EVs under $100K: From Tesla and Hyundai to Kia and Mercedes-Benz
READ MORE: Can the Model Y outsell the HiLux and Ranger?
Part of that will be owing to the fact that the Solterra will be offered in Australia exclusively with AWD, with our vehicles to receive the dual-motor setup already on sale in the UK.
That would see Australian-delivered vehicles of the Solterra fitted with twin electric motors, one at each axle, with each producing 80kW and 168.5Nm. That should produce a sprint to 100km/h in a brisk enough 6.9 seconds.
The 71.4kWh lithium-ion battery promises a driving range of over 460kms on the WLTP cycle, and the Solterra is configured for 150kW DC fast charging.
Pricing in Australia is yet be confirmed, but again we look to the UK for clues, where the Solterra starts at 52,495 pounds — which, based on a straight currency conversion, equates to $102,993 in AUD. That said, a straight currency swap is only a guide, rather than any concrete view of pricing.
One thing we do know for certain, though, is that the Solterra will be hard to get a hold of, at least initially, with the brand forecasting tight stock levels that should begin to ease in 2024.
