Fuji’s first all-electric will be beaten to our market by its Toyota doppelganger.

“HIGHLY unlikely, though we hope to have some sample units” – that’s the comment from Subaru New Zealand’s boss in response to being asked if his version of an electric car co-developed with Toyota can win the race to local showrooms.

Today’s global unveiling of Subaru’s first dedicated electric car, the Solterra, comes just over a month after Toyota showed it its own lookalike, the bZ4X.

The occasion has prompted the brand’s national distributor to offer fresh, if more cautious, comment about when it will be on sale here.

Thought the five-seater crossover - whose name is a conjunction of the Latin words for ‘sun’ and ‘earth’ – would be a strong chance for 2022 availability has been aired previously.

However possibility of a timetable that might have matched the release timing for the Toyota bZ4X sister ship now seems highly doubtful, with 2023 entry more realistic.

Subaru New Zealand managing director Wallis Dumper says he’d love to have the car here by late 2022, a timeframe previously indicated as possible, but now accepts Toyota New Zealand will win that one.

“It (the car) is a joint venture with Toyota. That’s never been a secret.

“We just have to wait our turn in the production line.”

So is 2022 release here still possible? “Highly unlikely but we hope to have some sample cars here.”

Dumper has steered clear of offering direct comment on thought that part of the challenge for Subaru New Zealand is that our market and Australia are being bundled as a common market.

Today media across the Tasman were reporting that Subaru Australia has indicated it will not be taking Solterra in the immediate future.

Dumper says New Zealand will achieve the car ahead of our neighbour, but he won’t add anything further.

The above comments are additional to others from him in a media release put out today by Subaru NZ.

In that communication, Dumper reminded that Subaru Japan is calling all the shots on what countries will secure Solterra and when.

“The reality is that Subaru Corporation is yet to confirm a timeline for the Solterra’s arrival in New Zealand.

“We are working very closely with Japan and Australia and future electric projects form part of ongoing dialogue between our three entities.”

He has made clear that his desire to get the car on sale here as soon as possible remains strong – he knows there are Subaru owners who want an electric car and they expect to get it with their favourite brand’s badging, not Toyota’s.

“The Solterra signals a new era for the Subaru brand as we continue our journey towards a more sustainable future here in New Zealand.

“The global reveal will no doubt stir great anticipation and excitement in our Kiwi Subaru drivers.

“The Solterra will enable them to explore the places they would rather be in their own back yard, while taking care of it at the same time.”

From a technical and design perspective, the Solterra and bZ4X are easily as closely related as the brands’ previous joint venture, the Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ sports coupe.

The electric cars’ underpinning, badged respectively as the e-Subaru Global Platform and Toyota New Global Architecture has its 71.4kWh lithium-ion battery pack integrated into a structure in the floor for a low centre of gravity and improved crash performance.

The Solterra is available with the same choice of powertrains as the Toyota.

Subaru NZ continues to indicate it is less interested in the entry edition, which delivers in front-wheel-drive with a 150kW electric motor and 530 kilometres’ range, for a more potent edition with all-wheel-drive model.

The latter integrates Subaru's X-Mode drive mode system and a new 'Grip Control' function and pairs two 80kW electric motors to develop 160kW combined, and achieve 460kms’ range on a charge.

Dumper has indicated that the cars he hopes to secure next year for analysis will be all-wheel-drive models that he wants to put to the test in New Zealand conditions, to prove they have the same renowned mettle as the fossil-fuelled cars that sell so well here to outdoor pursuits enthusiasts.

Says Dumper: “It is important to us that we remain true to our 100 percent all-wheel drive strategy in New Zealand …

“… we will introduce the Solterra knowing it can handle ‘Subaru country.’

“We look forward to working with Subaru Corporation to bring an all-wheel drive electric vehicle to the New Zealand market, with the same DNA that is shared by the rest of our Subaru line-up.”

In respect to external styling, Subaru’s car differs to the Toyota only in respect to the front end, where Fuji’s car has a closed-off hexagonal 'grille' and unique LED headlight signatures.

Unsurprisingly, Solterra's dimensions are identical to those cited for bZ4X – so 4690mm long, 1860mm wide and 1650mm high, riding on a 2850mm wheelbase.

The range estimates are from WLTC testing. The models support DC fast charging at up to 150kW, along with 6.6kW AC home charging as standard.

Vehicle weights range from 1930kg to 2020kg depending on the motor count. The all-wheel-drive car rides on 20-inch wheels whereas the front-drive is on 18s.

Speaking to the electric vehicle scene here, Dumper offered that this market has some unique challenges “imposed by our Government to force a change to electric vehicles ahead of global timelines.”

Dumper says his brand is committed to helping transform the future of the automotive industry to achieve lower emissions.

“With models like the Subaru Solterra coming, it supports and expediates our desire to do so.

“Key to this success will be how fast the entire automotive industry can be transformed. It can’t be done overnight, nor can we get ahead of the major markets.

“We can, however, acknowledge and do our best to support the present Government’s climate change goals and the role of transport in achieving them.”