Subaru Viziv Adrenaline Concept Lurks in Darkness Before Geneva Debut
Automakers across the globe are readying teaser images for models they intend to debut at the 89th Geneva International Motor Show next month. For Subaru, that means the latest addition to its Viziv line of concept vehicles.
While initial Viziv concepts were highly conceptual designs, the line has gradually evolved to deliver models more in line with Subaru’s production vehicles. The 2016 Viziv-7 ultimately led to the creation of the Ascent and both the 2017 Viziv Performance Concept and 2018 Tourer Concept appear to directly foreshadow future incarnations of the WRX. But the new concept is an unknown quantity.
Bathed in the darkest of blue filters until its official debut on March 5th, the Viziv Adrenaline appears to be a crossover with no obvious production counterpart. While the general shape is slightly reminiscent of the Crosstrek, the Adrenaline appears significantly shorter in overall length. In fact, the uninterrupted side windows seem to indicate that this is a two-door vehicle. This is a colossal stretch, aided by some wishful thinking, but perhaps Subaru is thinking of reviving the Impreza 22B STI.
Alright, we know the odds of that happening are on par with Subaru bringing back the 360 and not making their next production vehicle all-wheel drive. It’s much more likely that the Viziv Adrenaline will be a sound place for the automaker to showcase its new e-Boxer powertrain and serve as a forbearer for a currently unannounced crossover.
The e-Boxer setup has already appeared in the Crosstrek XV and constitutes the automaker’s 2.0-liter horizontally-opposed engine working alongside the same hybrid tech found in the Prius Prime. However, there’s nothing about it that would alter one’s body chemistry enough to warrant it being dropped within the bowels of a model called “the Adrenaline.” We imagine the next Viziv has a few extra tricks up its sleeve to help ratify its rather bold name.
While Subaru hasn’t explicitly said the model will use an e-Boxer powertrain, at least two vehicles bound for Geneva will. Fortunately, we only have to wait a few more weeks to find out more.
[Image: Subaru]
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
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It looks like it may be a Honda HR-V competitor.
Every SUV is going for the super aggressive and sleek look. This is another one of those SUV's, perhaps a tweener between the Crosstrek and the Forester. It'll have a CVT and maybe a turbo geared towards fuel economy. Nothing interesting to see here.