Subaru Global Platform unveiled

By CARSIFU | 8 March 2016


TOKYO: Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd (FHI) has unveiled the Subaru Global Platform for next-generation vehicles.

Together with the horizontally-opposed engines, Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (AWD), and EyeSight that represent Subaru’s core technologies, the new platform looks ahead to 2025.

The new platform dramatically increases rigidity throughout the body and chassis (a 70% to 100% increase over present models) and incorporates substantial improvements to the suspension system and achieve a lower center of gravity, bringing about highly responsive steering.

Optimized frame structure and stronger joints between parts allow the new platform to improve overall torsional rigidity by 70% over present models.

This distributes the resonance and distortion throughout the body, greatly reducing vibrations from the steering wheel, floor, and seats.

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The new platform increases the rigidity of the suspension mounting, improving the absorption of the suspension without warping the body of the car, and providing a smooth and comfortable drive whatever the irregularities in the road surface.

By mounting the rear stabilizer directly to the body, the new platform reduces the body roll of the vehicle by 50% compared to present models.

The new platform achieves a center of gravity that is 5mm lower than present models.

Together with the major improvements in rigidity and the evolution of the suspension system, this lower center of gravity makes possible a more stable driving experience.

Thanks to a frame structure that enables more efficient energy absorption in the event of collision and the enhanced body rigidity resulting from the increased use of high-tensile steel plates including materials formed by the hot press method, impact energy absorption is improved by 40% over present models.

The new platform will offer a single unified design concept for all Subaru models.

The new concept allows one design concept to be adapted not only to petrol engines but also to hybrid vehicles, plug-in hybrids, and electric cars.

The Subaru Global Platform will begin with the next-generation Impreza, due to hit the market in 2016.

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