Subaru’s regional agent has spared a thought for off-road adventurers reluctant to rely on an emergency tyre repair kit.

AUSSIE ingenuity has availed Kiwi off-road fans with electric driving ambition a potentially adventure-saving option for the latest product developed between Subaru and Toyota.

In appearance and aptitude aiming to be an electric alternate to the Outback wagon that has a solid fanbase here - not least with those who wander into wilderness - the new Trailseeker is being positioned as a rare breed: A battery-wed car that is purposefully designed to combine everyday usability with genuine all-terrain capability.

To enhance that appeal, the NZ market model can be kitted with something few electrics get but all off-road cars logically require: A spare wheel.

While described as a factory-sanctioned option, the kit that suits both NZ's entry car on 18-inch rims and flagship on 20s will deliver as a cost-extra wasn’t created in Japan.

Rather, it’s the work of Subaru in Australia and, as such, doesn’t seem likely to be offered in the new car’s Toyota-badged equivalent, the bZ4X Touring.

Most electric cars come with emergency inflation kits but those single-use provisions don’t generally appeal to off-roading fans. The risk of them not doing the job is too great.

Nonetheless, when Subaru and Toyota developed the Solterra/bZ4X and two other products off the same platform, the Uncharted and the Trailseeker, that’s what they got.

Feedback out of Australia and New Zealand in respect to Solterra made clear this wasn’t acceptable.

There’s likelihood both brands have lost sales of the original Solterra/bZ4X through customer resistance to factory expectation of a can of gung being up to saving the day when they took to roaming in areas where usual assistance providers could not reach.

Inchcape, the distributor for both markets, spared a thought and has acted accordingly.

Trailseeker has become the first of this family type to achieve a entire spare wheel kit.

The reason why it is an option and not standard is because of cost.

Outwardly, the $1299 asking price being just $100 less than being required for the other accessory that suits the car’s persona, a factory tow bar, might seem steep when space savers can be retrieved from a wrecker’s yard for a song.

But it’s reflective of the challenges of the update.

Meeting safety requirements common to here and the neighbour’s property meant much more than simply bunging a rim and tyre, plus a wheel barace and jack, into an underfloor boot compartment originally designed for a home charging kit.

The specialists engaged by Subaru had to create a bespoke wheel holder that satisfies requirement for the spare to stay put in event of a crash. They also of course wanted to preserve luggage capacity and everyday practicality.

Trailseeker becoming one of a handful of fully electric cars with a spare wheel nonetheless makes the project worthwhile, Subaru New Zealand believes.

The distributor’s senior staff feel equipping with the best resolution in event of a flattie plus the towing array that takes advantage of a braked towing capacity of 1500kg and an unbraked towing capacity of 750kg renders completeness to a car that, according to Subaru NZ general manager Paul Mallard, fully meets Subaru-ness expectations in all every dynamic respect.

“It’s a true Subaru, and I say that as someone who at one time ran the WRC rally and drove a lot of Subarus on rally roads,” he expressed at yesterday’s media introduction to Trailseeker.

“This is the real deal. It’s an extremely capable vehicle with that real Subaru feel about it, and I think it’s a really incredible EV opportunity.”

More options for Trailseeker could yet be plucked from Australia.

Over there the brand has everything from awning kits to dog hammocks. On top of that, Subaru America and some third party agents there have also developed some other options on that, Mallard says, further enhance the car’s versatility.

These appear to include floor coverings and a barrier to ensure greater comfort and safety for dogs.

The space saver and tow bar will be available from January, it can be fitted to both new customer orders and vehicles already on the road.