Subaru E-Outback production begins in-house at Gunma Yajima factory
Subaru has started manufacturing its all-electric E-Outback at its Gunma Yajima plant in Japan, which has been fully upgraded for full-scale EV production.
Located in the city of Ōta, the Gunma Yajima site has been building a variety of Subaru models since 1969, including the much-loved, World Rally Championship-winning Impreza WRX STi and its rugged Forester crossover sibling.
The upgrades to the factory began in August last year and allow the Japanese carmaker to build electric, hybrid, and internal combustion-engined models on a single production line.
Subaru’s decision to bring everything under one roof means it can focus on developing its EV programme and will no longer need to split resources with another EV site.
A more efficient, centralised approach to manufacturing also allows Subaru to respond flexibly to changes in the EV market and keep costs under control. Ultimately, this should strengthen Subaru’s competitiveness in the EV market, following a slow start to electrification with its Solterra.
Subaru is pinning its hopes on an EV reversal with its upcoming E-Outback, which shares its dedicated EV architecture with the Toyota bZ4X Touring pictured above.
The E-Outback drops the company’s signature petrol boxer engine in favour of a twin-electric motor setup producing an Impreza WRX STi-shaming 375bhp, plus a 0-60mph time of 4.4 seconds.
Like Subarus of yore, the E-Outback will come with symmetrical all-wheel drive and multiple drive modes, including snow/deep snow and mud/deep mud to ensure it loses none of the brand’s legendary off-road capabilities.
When it arrives in the UK mid-way through 2026, the Subaru E-Outback promises a 303-mile range, and a maximum rapid-charging speed of 150kW, which translates to a 10-80% charge time of 25 minutes.
The E-Outback will complete Subaru’s latest UK EV assault, with the Toyota-based Uncharted and updated Solterra making their debuts on our shores in Q1 this year. An all-electric successor to the Impreza WRX STi is also on the way, but it is unknown whether it will be sold here.
