Subaru Elten

The Subaru Elten was a hybrid 4WD hatchback concept introduced by Subaru at the 1997 Tokyo Motor Show. It was presented as a compact urban car for the 21st century, combining sporty styling, practical packaging, and an advanced hybrid power system.

The Elten was positioned as a successor to the Subaru 360, and it borrowed some visual cues from that earlier model, including a similar grille.

Its curved body shape gave it a friendly, compact-car look, while the overall proportions were kept short and narrow to suit city driving. Subaru described it as a town-use car with enjoyable driving manners and a comfortable ownership experience.

The concept measured 3,410 mm in length, 1,500 mm in width, and 1,500 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,270 mm. It weighed 960 kg and was designed for four passengers. Under the hood, it used a 658 cc inline four-cylinder SOHC gasoline engine producing 46 PS at 6,000 rpm and 5.8 kg-m of torque at 3,600 rpm.

Its hybrid setup was one of the most distinctive parts of the project. Subaru’s Hybrid Power System combined a high-efficiency gasoline engine with an i-CVT, two electric motors, a torque divider integrated into the transmission, and nickel hydride batteries. Another description of the system mentions a parallel hybrid layout using solar cells, condenser batteries, and lithium-ion batteries as part of the vehicle’s energy strategy.

The battery pack was placed under the rear seat, which helped preserve interior space. That allowed the Elten to offer a cabin roomy enough for four adults, while the bright exterior colors and coordinated interior were intended to give the car a cheerful, modern character.

Two years later Subaru showcased the updated Elten Custom concept.