Production 2006–present | ||
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Layout FF layoutF4 layout optional Engine 658 cc EN07D DOHC AVCS I 4658 cc EN07X DOHC I 4 supercharged40 kW electric motor | ||
The Subaru Stella is a 5-door Kei car produced by Subaru starting in June 2006. The Stella is based on the same architecture as the Subaru R2. It can be considered as a direct replacement of the Subaru Pleo although the Pleo is still currently in production, and is Subaru's re-entry into the market segment dominated by the Suzuki Wagon R and the Daihatsu Move, hoping to recapture market share after the R2's less-than-expected sales performance. The Stella's dimensions are more parking structure-friendly where vehicle stacking is utilized over the Pleo.
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The name Stella is Italian for "star", a reference to the Subaru logo.
Electric version
In June 2008, Subaru unveiled an electric concept vehicle combining the Stella platform with the electric drive from the Subaru R1e, which uses TEPCO lithium-ion batteries.
It has been showcased at the G8 Summit on July 7, 2008. Fuji announced in June 2009 that it plans to sell 170 units through March 2010, primarily to fleet and government users in Japan, with deliveries beginning in late July 2009.
It was intended to be sold in the European Union starting September 2, 2010, but in fact never was.
New version
Due to the investment of Toyota, the future production status of the Stella is in question as Toyota announced that Subaru kei cars would be replaced in model year 2010, with Toyota already selling a Toyota vehicle rebadged as a Subaru, currently called the Subaru Dex. The second-generation Stella is a rebadged Daihatsu Move, introduced in Japan on May 11, 2011.