Subaru VIZIV-7 SUV concept shows size and design direction of new US-built SUV

VIZIV-7 SUV concept

Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd (FHI), the manufacturer of Subaru automobiles, unveiled the Subaru VIZIV-7 SUV concept at the 2016 Los Angeles Auto Show.

VIZIV, you ask.  It is a name derived from “Vision for Innovation”, and the 7 is a reference to the seating positions of this SUV concept.  Subaru VIZIV is a concept series (there was a previous VIZIV concept car in 2013, but nothing came of it) embodying the future vision of car development for “enjoyment and peace of mind” that Subaru wants to provide to customers.

3-row SUV to be built in Indiana

With the VIZIV-7 SUV concept, Subaru is demonstrating its thinking about how big a future Subaru SUV can be.  With full 3-row capability and Subaru’s DYNAMIC x SOLID design philosophy, Subaru VIZIV-7 shows the size direction of their new SUV to be introduced to the North American market in early 2018.  The new SUV will be larger than the Tribeca (who remembers the few sold in South Africa?) and will be built at the company’s U.S. factory in Lafayette, Indiana.

“The concept expresses our core brand values – safety, dependability, capability for outdoor activities and a forward looking attitude,” said Takeshi Tachimori, FHI’s Corporate Executive Vice President.  “We know customers in this segment want a full-sized vehicle and the next 3-row from Subaru will be the biggest Subaru vehicle ever.”

Next Forester?

If these looks are what the next Subaru SUV will look like, then it could hint at what the next Forester has in store.  Hopefully Subaru doesn’t chicken out like most other concept cars shown.  Bets are it will get a more marketable name, and lose the cyan-coloured light details and carbon-fibre wheel arches.

Powertrain and further specification information on the VIZIV-7 SUV concept is to be revealed in due course, the company statement concludes.