Subaru's Viziv concept car was unveiled at the Geneva International Motor Show this week. The name is from the phrase "Vision for Innovation" and embodies the direction Subaru is planning to take in the next few years. What does this mean for the average car owner? Viziv means better handling and ecological impact. After more research and development, the new features in the Viziv will probably trickle down into conventional cars.
Judging from the exterior looks of the Viziv, Subaru is sticking with powerful front end designs that give Subaru their robust feel but they're centering more on sleek side panel and rear end design to give cars a leaner look. The interior of the car keeps functionality in mind with the tachometer set as the central display vying for the driver's attention. Attention is focused so much, in fact, on driving the car that the rear passengers can experience what it's like to drive the car via two custom information displays that display driving information.
The biggest change also has big impacts on the interior as well-this Subaru is a plug-in hybrid that combines a 2.0-litre Subaru Boxer diesel engine with the Lineartronic CVT (link to CVT post). The front has a motor that both drives and generates power while the rear has two independent motors for driving. The powertrain determines when to use the electric motor or the diesel motor, making for optimum performance while still being environmentally friendly. The interior design also has more leg room because of these two rear motors that don't require a propeller shaft, meaning a lower interior floor and more room for you.
The two rear independent motors that control the rear wheels add the Subaru AWD system, allowing the car to apply more torque to the appropriate wheel. Using this new feature, as the wheel is turned to corner, the torque goes to the rear, which allows safer and more coordinated steering. The car also applies more torque to the outside wheel, meaning that "on-the-rail" cornering is possible, giving you a better grip as you take a turn and reducing the turning radius. Once the wheel is turned back straight, the power returns to the front for optimal nimble performance.
This new AWD system is going to be the biggest and best thing to come to the conventional drive train system, meaning better and safer handling down the road for Subaru drivers. It's something to be excited about.
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