The Subaru Viziv Tourer is Here, and it May Preview the Next-Gen Outback

Subaru has finally introduced the Viziv Tourer, the latest addition to the Viziv Concept series and what we believe may be a preview of the next-gen Subaru Outback. As is the usual case with the Viziv Concepts, Subaru hasn’t exactly released a plethora of information, but its whole purpose is to showcase Subaru’s future design language, and it does exactly that. It’s got the sharp design cues, the look of performance, and all of the muscular features we expect from a car that’s designed to feel at home on and off the road.

Subaru Viziv Tourer Exterior

The Subaru Viziv Tourer Concept may look aggressive, but everything about it says Subaru. The hood and grille are easily bound for production and are quite similar to what we see on the road today. And, while the front fascia is showing its teeth, it’s not that outlandish to think of something like this hitting the road in even the next five years. The small air dam in the front and the corner vents are integrated nicely, while the overall design of the news has STI written all over it.

The side profile is just as sexy, and while the wheel arches would likely be more curved in production and the body lines toned down a bit, Subaru’s design team is really going somewhere. The muscular rear haunches are exactly what this brand needs while the side skirts could be toned down a bit. The only thing not feasible about the side profile is the lack of door handles and those side view cameras. Maybe someday but not in time for the brand’s next generational shift.

The slight slant of the roofline is right on point while the rear end has just the right proportions. The rear hatch does have a weird shape to it, but that’s easily forgivable once you set your sights on those wide rear quarters. The taillights blend in nicely with the car, and the black trim on the inside really makes them stand out. The rear fascia has a whole lot of craziness going on, but it’s somehow appealing.

Expect a production model to be toned down quite a bit with more rounded lines, reflectors in the rear fascia and a more neutral rear end. The front end will also be toned down a bit, but I wouldn’t expect Subaru to stray too much from the current design.

Subaru Viziv Tourer Exterior Dimensions

Length	187.99 in
Width	75.98 in
Height	56.49 in
Wheelbase	107.48 in

Subaru Viziv Tourer Interior

Subaru has kept the interior of the Viziv Tourer Concept under wraps, but that’s not surprising as the brand is really in Geneva to show off its future design language. What we do know is that it has a seating capacity of four, so you can expect a 2+2 layout. It’s also loaded to the gills with Subaru’s next-generation of EyeSight technology that is designed specifically to reduce driver fatigue and increase enjoyment. Of course, it surely has GPS and navigation as well as the typical head and cooled seats – you know, all the bells and whistles.

On that note, with a 2+2 layout, it should have ample passenger room and ample cargo room. Based on the exterior dimensions it would make an excellent candidate for the next Outback.

Subaru Viziv Tourer Performance

Mums the word as far as performance specs, but the Viziv Tourer is power by the traditional Boxer engine. Given the nature of the exterior design, we can speculate that it’s powered by the same 2.5-liter mill that’s found in the Subaru WRX STI. That would give it 305 horsepower and 290 pound-feet of torque on tap – just enough for the Outback STI of the future, don’t you think? Furthermore, a base-model Outback based on this design would likely make use of the 2.0-liter boxer engine that’s good for 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual transmission would be standard across the line in most markets, while the U.S. would undoubtedly have an automatic as standard equipment. Should Subaru decide to shift this design into production for the next-gen outback, and STI version would undoubtedly get a revised version of the close-ratio, six-speed manual.

As usual, Subaru has installed its amazing Symmetrical all-wheel-drive system because, well Subaru, so of all the things we’ve discussed here, the inclusion of a boxer engine and that AWD system is the only real confirmed data we have.

Final Thoughts

At this point, Subaru is running out the whole Viziv Concept series as long as it can, but each changes so much that it’s not getting old quite yet. In fact, a lot of automakers could take some advice from the brand. As for what the future holds, it’s hard to say, but this is certainly a model that Subaru needs in the lineup, and the Outback will be due for a redesign in the early 2020s. It only seems fitting, then, that Subaru taps into this design and gives the people what it deserves, don’t you think?

After all, this is the design language of the future for Subaru and, outside of a few little things like the door handles and side view mirrors, this body design could shift into production quite easily. Even as it sits, the design would hold water if Subaru slapped an STI badge on it, and there’s no doubt that the masses would eat it up like a fat kid in a candy store. Keep doing you, Subaru, you’re most certainly heading in the right direction.