Subaru Could Build Electric Subcompact To Take On Renault 5 EV

Subaru could expand its all-electric model line-up further by introducing its first-ever subcompact electric hatchback in Europe, following the success of the reincarnated Renault 5. If confirmed, the mini-Subaru would sit beneath the newly-launched Uncharted, and join the marque’s EV lineup alongside the Solterra and recently renamed E-Outback.

Speaking with Autocar, Subaru global EV product manager Inoue Masahiko admitted the brand was considering such a model, given the unexpected success of the Renault 5. Since launching in February last year, the compact French EV has already racked up 30,000-plus sales across Europe. Such a project, if extended overseas, would potentially see Subaru square off against Volkswagen’s ID2, which is due to be launched next year.

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How A Subcompact Subaru EV Would Be Developed

Were Subaru to commit to a new subcompact EV, it’s likely this would be developed in tandem with engineering partner Toyota a la the Solterra and the Uncharted. The former shares much of its underpinnings with Toyota’s bZ4X, while the latter was built alongside the C-HR+. It’s also likely Subaru’s potential Renault 5 rival would utilize Toyota’s e-TNGA platform upon which the compact C-HR BEV sits. Moreover, as recently as this year, Toyota has spoken about a potential electric alternative to its Yaris hatchback, a perfect basis on which a sister Subaru could also be developed.

Admittedly, this project is far from certain. In the same Autocar report, Subaru Europe General Manager David Dello Stritto confirmed that the decision would be dependent on sales of the Uncharted, and that a green-light would be unlikely within the next two years, at least.

Subaru’s First Subcompact

Of course, this wouldn’t be the first time that Subaru has produced an economic runaround. Originally designed as a slightly wider and longer alternative to the kei car for the Japanese market, Subaru debuted the Justy in 1984. Production was limited to just 500 per month, which is just as well, since Subaru’s alternative to the Nissan Micra (from early 1987 onwards, anyway) was one of the first to feature – urgh – an ECVT transmission.

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It wasn’t the greatest of starts for the Justy, and to make matters worse, Subaru had limited spare parts (particularly the bands) for the CVT unit. As such, when demand slowly started to rise, the company reverted to a five-speed manual. In true econobox fashion, engine displacement was kept below 1,000 cc to minimize road tax payments for its Japanese owners, although when the model was finally introduced to Europe and North America for 1987, the straight-three was hiked up to 1.2-liters. In a very on-brand move for Subaru, most examples were even sold with four-wheel drive.

Following a very light facelift in 1989, a five-door example was introduced for 1990 before Subaru, having discovered that its boxer-engined Impreza was starting to pick up steam, discontinued the Justy in 1994. There was, of course, the Justy revival in 2008, but that was essentially a rebadged Daihatsu Charade.

Source: Autocar