Subaru SVX Revival on the Horizon?

Subaru Hybrid Tourer Concept design sketch, 10.12.2009

By Thami Masemola
October 14, 2009 5:35 PM
Filed Under: Concept Car, Japanese, Rumours, Subaru

Auto Express says it has information that Subaru is working on a spiritual successor to the SVX. The SVX was designed by Guigaro while at ItalDesign and went into production in 1991. Power came from a 3.3-litre flat 6 engine producing 172kW (234hp) and 309Nm of torque. At the time the BMW M3 (E36) was one of its primary targets.

About two weeks ago Subaru unveiled the Hybrid Tourer Concept (pictured), a two-door four-seat gullwinged car powered by two electric motors, a lithium-ion battery and a 2.0-litre turbo engine. It's also going to be shown in Tokyo and is said to be the basis for the SVX.

Insiders said new targets will include the brawny Vauxhall VXR8 but other cars like the new Opel Insignia OPC cannot be discounted. Instead of brawn the company will stick to what it knows best; compact boxer engines beefed up by turbochargers and intercoolers. A 2.5-litre turbo unit could be the source of power but a hybrid is also a possibility.

Set to sell alongside the FT-86-based coupe, the new-generation SVX would be priced at just below £40,000.

Source: autoexpress
Tags: Subaru SVX

Comments

v6s_stink
October 14, 2009 7:01 PM
The original SVX is one of my least favorite Guigaro designs (it's not nearly as wretched as the GG50, though), but this sketch shows more promise. The proportions obviously will change a lot before a production model appears.

Hopefully it won't have an extremely high belt line and short green house. I'm tiring of this look and the cabins just aren't that appealing in everyday use.

Wickedated
October 14, 2009 7:12 PM
Love it or hate it, when the SVX hit the road it was a head turner.

Narco
October 14, 2009 8:11 PM
True. And I remember when 234 hp was actually serious business and you spent all your hard earned cash on chips, k&n air filters and lightweight tire valve caps in hapless efforts to cut a tenth of a second off your times. LOL. Nowadays those numbers are like minimum requirements. Times change, but it was definitely a nice design though.

Fishes,

Narco.


Edited by user on October 14, 2009 at 8:16 PM
N20_Purge
October 14, 2009 7:17 PM
2.5 Turbo, 2 door coupe, £40,000.

So is this going to be a WRX STI in a (hopefully) better looking coupe form? If yes, then WOOHOO! Make it asap Subaru!

sideskraper
October 14, 2009 9:45 PM
I'm sorry but the SVX is far from a car worth commemorating. It was fat, slow, expensive, and handled like it was made in America. I love respecting heritage and building from heritage for the future, but the SVX sucked. Take the opportunity to develop a new heritage or develop from the rally pedigree they have.

hata0101
October 14, 2009 10:47 PM
have to admit it...when SVX came out, it was ground breaking thou... even now, i'll look at it when i see one on the road. love it or hate it? i'm more bias to "love it".

Bristol411S3
October 15, 2009 1:38 AM
I'm with you both on this. It turned heads but it was all show, no go. It was dynamically not up to much according the reports of the time and wasn't a commercial success. Quite why Subaru would want to emulate this I am unsure. Mind you, I don't believe a word of what Auto Express says. When I see it says "Weekly" on the front I have to check my calendar.

Edison
October 15, 2009 8:08 AM
Lets hope it is better than the last SVX (lighter with the option of a manual transmission). The best part was the Giugiaro style IMO.

gragas
October 28, 2009 7:34 PM
My 1994 SVX still thrashes M3s. £2000 worth of pure joy. I let my wife have the Jag and take the SVX every time.

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