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Subaru plans hybrid in 2012
October 26, 2009 - 12:01 am ET
TOKYO -- Subaru, which showed a concept hybrid vehicle at the Tokyo Motor Show, will add a hybrid powertrain to an existing model in 2012.
But Ikuo Mori, president of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd., maker of Subaru cars, wouldn't say when the hybrid vehicle will go on sale in the United States.
Speaking on the sidelines of the show, Mori said the car will help Subaru meet tougher U.S. fuel economy and emissions rules that begin in the 2016 model year.
Mori declined to say which model will offer the hybrid powertrain but suggested it will be a small vehicle. He said the hybrid system will showcase typical Subaru driving characteristics but didn't say whether it will have all-wheel drive.
.....Subaru has been developing its own hybrid drivetrain based on technology from Toyota Motor Corp., which owns 16.5 percent of Fuji Heavy.
http://www.autonews.com/article/20091026/ANA03/310269974/1180
I loved the concept car, but this says they expect to add hybrid guts to an existing model. If it is a small car, it must be the Impreza right? Or maybe they plan to introduce something smaller than the Impreza in the U.S. and offer THAT as a hybrid?
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Bob
With the FT86 starting at $20k, figure a well equipped model will end up running $25 grand or so. That means the Subaru version would push $30k.
I guess that's OK if we're talking about a 2.0l STI engine. The base model may overlap too much with the current WRX, though. I'm hoping it'll slot beneath the WRX in price.
Bob
We'll see. I'm sure there is pent-up demand for a sleek 2 door Subaru.
Bob
Agreed, it'll expand the line more than cannabalize it.
I don't need an OB, I already had one. What I need is a Turbo Wagon, that I can go to ski resort or backpacking, at the same time than enjoying the AWD 6 manual.
SOA, are you hearing?
I do think it looks GREAT, though. Absolutely puts the ZD-X to shame.
That price sounds fine to me; my 2005 3.0R VDC listed at $35.5k. At the time I downgraded from a nearly $40k 2002 Passat W8. The Acura label should be able to carry that price with AWD. Total cost to own with depreciation might be significantly lower than for an Outback 3.6R Limited.
Since it is a wagon not an ersatz SUV it has another advantage. Too bad Subaru quit making the Legacy wagon. I wonder what a lowering kit for the Forester would be like?
When we saw those euro Legacy wagon prices it was the same way, about 10% less.
And since the TSX is effectively the Euro-Accord, the handling should be a lot sharper than its larger brother, the TL, which has been Americanized a lot by being plus-sized. I hate needless plus-sizing. :mad:
At that price it should be a bargain in comparison to the 3.6R Outback Limited: A real wagon, lower total cost to own and NOT oversized. Not to mention a possibly larger dealer network. Perhaps it will even have folding mirrors.
I didn't realize you could get SH-AWD without stepping up to the Type S, though, so that is less than I thought.
A TSX V6 AWD would probably be $35k or so, but I still think a wagon version would break $36k.
Still a good value given Acura's high levels of equipment even on base models.
I don't think it'll do a lot of volume, though. The RD-X will sell more, and the ZD-X will get all the attention. I say this even though I'd prefer the TSX myself.
I have heard rumors quite a while ago that the Tribeca is supposed to be redesigned for 2011? Then I also heard another rumor that the 2010 Tribeca will be the last? And comfirmation on thses rumors? Thanks in advance for any info.
Oct 2009: 246
Sep 2009: 358
Aug 2009: 797
Jul 2009: 707
Jun 2009: 784
May 2009: 671
Apr 2009: 567
Note that improvements for 2010 model are very minor, unlikely those low recent sales numbers are because of coming model. However it might be from the expectation of more discounts for 2009 model when 2010 is on the lots.
Interestingly, they apparently think they can get 250 hp out of the Japanese 2.0 without turbocharging it - that will be quite a feat.
http://www.insideline.com/subaru/toyobaru-new-details-on-subarus-version-of-the-- toyota-ft-86.html
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Bob
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Bob
Originally it was supposed to start under $20k. I'm sure they meant $19,999 plus $800 freight, but still.
Now we're at $25k for the Toy, $30 grand for the Subie?
Add, what $3 grand at least for a convertible version?
Bob
Mercury Capri
Toyota MR2
Honda S2000
Pontiac Solistic
Saturn Sky
I heard about an affordable sports car, and was thinking I'd now have a good alternative.
Then again, maybe Subaru was wise not to follow in the footsteps of the cars listed above.
And for those of you who are counting, a 250 hp coupe isn't going to sell at $30 grand, even WITH AWD. Just look at the Genesis coupe, Soob's own WRX, 370Z, Camaro, Mustang GT, the list goes on and on of powerful sporty cars at this price (or a bit lower), whereas lower-powered sporty cars like the GTI and Civic SI are in the low $20Ks. If they plan to sell 2000 a year to Subaru fans, and it is profitable for them at that sales volume, THEN I think it has a future the way it looks now.
I think Toyota is going to have a hard time selling their RWD version (where everything people really want will be optional of course; it's Toyota after all) starting at $25K. The Toyota DEFINITELY should have stuck to the $20K base price, for the kind of volume Toyota insists on in cars in order to continue their production.
volkov: yeah, I was exaggerating with the Honda 10K-redline remark.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
I think this is what the hope is across the line. They're building a new engine plant.
$25k for a CE
$27k for an LE
$29k for an XLE that is well equipped
I bet it costs more than the Genesis coupe with the turbo.
What I was meaning is that you won't see 250hp from a 2.0L but the original did get close with 240hp. Still there's no way I see a Toyota tuned n/a 2.0L will get anywhere close to 250hp. Even 200 is a stretch.
I'm sure they'll let Subaru tune it for them, perhaps a tad conservatively.
$25k for a CE
$27k for an LE
$29k for an XLE that is well equipped
LOL! Yes, and the CE will have crank windows and a plastic plate where the stereo should be. If you want wheels bigger than 14 inch and cruise, you will have to pony up for the LE with the "sport package" (16-inch rims and a bunch of plastic crap designed to make it "look sporty"), for around $28,500, at which point you STILL won't have the turbo. :-P
Or you could could just buy the Subaru version, with AWD and worse fuel economy, and have everything for $30K. A devil's choice?.....
I AM beginning to get a little worried that this thing is going to be unaffordable and/or a poor value compared to competing models by the time they get it launched. :-(
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
To be fair, both the Miata and the Solistice had no A/C in the base versions, probably to save weight and reduce power loss.
For $25k I hope I'm wrong and they start at the LE equipment level.
Why I love my 2005 Cummins... 325 hp at 2900 rpm, 610 lb-ft at 1400 rpm. Too bad it weighs so darn much that it takes a Ram HD to support it...
kcram - Pickups/Wagons Host
Your plan sounds good, but I wonder if Subaru will even invest the money given the tiny volumes for the current model.
Basically it would be to the Outback what the Exiga is to the Forester.
Here's hoping they do so while keeping some of the current Tribeca characteristics. I own the '06 -- yeah, it's a little small, lacks a bit of acceleration (though the newer ones are improved), but its ride and handling are better than almost anything else in its class and the interior is very nice. Don't have the new Outback # in front of me, but the Tribeca was/is the only Subaru wide enough to accommodate two car seats w/a passenger in the middle.
Keep things like that and make the 3rd row bigger, with more cargo space behind it.
A hybrid would get expensive. Easily in to the $40s, probably.
How 'bout a diesel? Try to keep it at $39,995 loaded.
But I'm impatiently waiting for direct injection on the Outback 4 cylinder. My '98 OBW is getting a little old, even though it only has 119,000 miles. It is being used as the towed vehicle behind the motor home so in reality it has about 135,000 miles. I'd love to use the Tribeca, but it is not towable on 4 tires.
I may try to steal it.
Edit: did you catch the part about ALG's top residuals for the Forester and Outback, and Subaru overall as a mainstream brand? Sweet.