Subaru launches its next-generation vehicles Global Platform – Impreza first to benefit
Subaru has revealed details of the Global Platform that will sit underneath its next-generation vehicles, including new Impreza and XV.
SUBARU HAS REVEALED details of its new Global Platform which has been designed to be adapted to suit all of its next-generation vehicles, including those with hybrid and electric drivetrains, and even autonomous applications. Subaru said the new platform has been designed with the future in mind, and represents the “biggest overall performance evolution in Subaru’s history”. The new Impreza, due out this year, will be the first model to benefit from the new architecture, closely followed by the XV.
But what does that mean? Subaru claims the new platform is a staggering 70-100% more rigid, though both the body and chassis, than its current architecture, depending on the model. And that “substantial improvements to the suspension”, like mounting the suspension directly to the body has allowed the centre of gravity to become 5mm lower. Indeed, Subaru claims its suspension improvements have reduced body roll by 50%.
Subaru is also talking up the passive safety of its new chassis, saying: “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 platform anticipates further improvements in strength and new materials, and has the potential to continue to offer the world’s highest levels of collision safety even in 2025”.
Going forward, this new architecture, says Subaru, will allow it to produce “one design” that can be adapted to suit various models and a variety of drivetrains. It’s also hinted that by employing one platform, it will be able to reduce staff levels and make its factories more efficient, thus enabling it to “direct the savings into areas that can make Subaru products more competitive”.
The new platform will also allow Subaru to produce platform parts for multiple models in the one factory, something that can’t be done at the moment.
“The new unified design concept will also make it easier for Subaru’s two factories in Japan – and the Subaru of Indiana Automotive plant in the United States – to carry out bridge production of multiple different models on a single line, making global production more flexible,” Subaru said.
