Subaru STELLA Plug-in Electric Vehicle to begin test runs in Japan

Having completed the development of the Plug-in STELLA electric vehicle (EV) prototype model, Subaru has announced that it is ready to test its eco-friendly microcar in real life conditions by providing fifteen units to Japan's Ministry of Environment this summer. Based on the production STELLA, the plug-in EV is equipped with an electric motor that produces 47kW (up from 40kW on the initial prototypes).

Subaru also said that, compared with the first prototypes, it has further enhanced the EV's efficiency by lightening the body weight and fine-tuning output management as well as optimizing and downsizing the battery pack design.

Subaru Stella RS-S Custom Edition With STi Body-Parts

The Japanese-market only Stella minicar that was introduced in 2006 has received the “STi-treatment” from Subaru’s in house-tuner. Despite its promising name, the Stella RS-S Custom Edition didn’t get any mechanical upgrades as STi focused its attention solely on the kei-car’s appearance.

The STi pack includes front and rear spoilers, HID headlights, carbon-fibre decoration on the window-sills, 14-inch alloy wheels and a chromed tailpipe. In the interior, the Stella RS-S Custom Edition receives a bi-color steering wheel, aluminum sport pedals, contrastive burgundy seats and aluminium decorative trim. As we said previously, there are no changes under the hood with the Stella RS-S Custom Edition being offered in FWD or AWD versions all equipped with a 660cc 4-cylinder engine coupled to an i-CVT CVT (intelligent continuously variable transmission). In all, only 500 units of the Stella RS-S Custom Edition will be built. -Click “Read More…” for the image gallery

Via: insideline , Source: Subaru