JUL 03

Apparently either the writer or the Suburu people have never commuted in northern California -- or most of the U.S. A 60-MPH top speed will get you run over in a lot of places.

"Apparently either the writer or the Suburu people have never commuted in northern California -- or most of the U.S. A 60-MPH top speed will get you run over in a lot of places"

Depends on where you're commuting. A top speed of 60mph would be entirely sufficient for a commute on surface roads and within a city; given the Stella's kei-car size, I'd be reluctant to take it on

You appear to poorly understand that not everybody commutes on the highway, and that some folks may have different needs than your own. There seems to be this irrational belief that personal vehicles must match, perfectly, every capability of a gas-fuelled car (range, top speed, performance, size, 0-60) to make it viable. I entirely disagree; most of the American public could easily make do with a car of these exact specs, with a car-share program for when you need more. Perhaps you personally could not, though statistically it's not likely; most people drive less than 40 miles a day at less than 60mph.

In reality, most people use a tiny fraction of a vehicle's capabilities, and they overbuy - they buy a car capable of every conceivable use they might subject it to. A car that takes care of 75-85% of your needs is far more sensible. This car could easily take care of most of my trips, and a ZipCar membership the rest.

Since I live in Canada, I have to convert the mph to kmph (kilometers per hour) - and 60mph turns into around 95kmph. Since highway speeds in Canada are 100kmph, this car would be very ideal for the regular day-to-day around town driving, where in-town speeds are set between 50 and 80 kmph. So, this electric Stella is a really nice choice for anyone who just needs to zip around town.

Wouldn't it make sense to have the shape of this vehicle more aerodynamic??

No that doesn't make sense at all. Aerodynamic drag increases by approximately the square of a car's speed. Since this is not a high speed car there is little benefit to be had from more streamlining.

The shape of this vehicle is optimized for maximum internal package volume with minimum external dimensions.

I have a CRAZY idea, how about putting their next-gen PHEV system into one of their NORMAL car bodies? Hows that for ingenious? Why do these companies insist on showing off EV systems in these stupid unrealistic prototype vehicles? I would LOVE a 100 MPG plugin-hybrid Subaru Legacy or Impreza

This new vehicle seems perfect for environmentaly conscious lesbian families, since only lesbians drive Subarus.

Lumpy