We often talk about electric vehicles on this blog, not only because the news often focuses on them, but also because they represent a very important aspect in the tire market. Last week, I was lucky enough to be invited to the Montreal unveiling of the 2024 Subaru Solterra, Subaru's first 100% electric model.
Granted, the Solterra has only been on the market for the past year, yet it has already undergone a variety of updates that, the company tells us, promise to make the driving experience even more "Subaru".
It's true that few EVs offer the Japanese company's distinctive off-road personality, exemplified by its design philosophy and exclusive technologies. It's in these two areas that the most significant changes can be seen on the new version of the SUV. Under the hood, it retains its 215 hp engine and 248 lb-ft of torque, while its range extends to 359 km.
Faster charging and new features
While the battery has not been modified, its direct-current fast-charging efficiency has been increased in two ways. Firstly, updates to the on-board software enable the vehicle to use energy more efficiently, which can protect the battery during recharging.
However, a water heat pump has also been added, which drastically increases efficiency in extreme temperature conditions. Without giving precise figures, Subaru claims that these two systems combined could cut fast-charging time almost in half under ideal conditions.
In terms of comfort and safety technologies, the addition of the optional Traffic Jam assist hands-free driving feature is particularly noteworthy. Unlike most competing systems, such as those from Ford or even Tesla, Subaru's technology is designed for use only below 40 km/h on the highway.
As the name implies, it's designed to make traffic jams less painful. On the downside, you'll have to pay for a subscription to Subaru's connected services, which are not included in the base price.
Oval steering wheel, more practical?
Let's talk about looks, after all, even the design has been slightly tweaked. Inside, the most obvious change is undoubtedly the shape of the steering wheel, which becomes oval for 2024. Once again, this change is motivated by technological reasons.
The camera at the rear of the steering wheel can now access the driver's face more easily. This, in turn, enables the inclusion of an emergency stop system that pulls the vehicle over to the side of the road in the event of a medical emergency.
With a base price of $56,495, to which shipping and preparation costs must be added, the electric SUV is far from being the cheapest in its class, but Subaru promises that it offers a unique experience, especially when compared to its cousin, the Toyota BZ4X, which will receive only a fraction of the new features this year.
