Hybrid?! Didn't think Subaru would ever do it but here's a concept car.

[ShawnW]

http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2013/01/subaru-prepping-hybrid-vehicle-for-new-york-debut.html

[l75eya]

Better have a flat engine in it.

[shadow]

The article says the concept has a turbocharged boxer engine in it.  It will probably be impossible to meet tightening CAFE standards over time without adding hybrids and/or electric vehicles to the mix.  Subaru has some wiggle room compared to other manufacturers, because even though they take a hit with the AWD systems, they do not offer extra large 'gas guzzler' vehicles which kill the fleet average of other mfrs.

 

Passenger cars require a 5% annual economy improvement starting in 2016, while light trucks will require 3.5% per year improvement until 2022, thereafter 5% per year until 2025.  While reduced transportation energy requirements are good, there will likely be a net effect of smaller production cars being built, as well as possible price increases due to more exotic drive trains and lightweight materials selection.  The standards increases are likely why some mini trucks disappeared in the last few years as well, the Ford Ranger being one example.

[nipper]

Its not s surprise, it is part of the reason Toyota has become a roomate with benefits in Indiana.

[Loyale 2.7 Turbo]

I posted Images & info of the "Subaru Tourer" Hybrid Concept, in year 2009, @ the "Strange & Weird Subaru Stuff" Thread...

 

Here's the Link: ~► http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/topic/50983-strange-and-weird-subaru-stuff/page-18?do=findComment&comment=850059

 

Post Nº 422  

 

Kind Regards.

[Subruise]

looks a lot like a venza....

[natext6]

I've heard mumblings of a hybrid XV Crosstrek actually. Seems that they're considering beefing the enigine up slightly then adding a hybrid system to it.

[shadow]

Supposedly the car will be announced at the New York Auto show in March, here is a press release from a Florida dealership jumping the gun a bit:

 

http://www.onlineprnews.com/news/347634-1361287236-subaru-to-unveil-its-first-hybrid-vehicle.html

 

It says in the release that earlier rumblings of a Forester were quashed.  Either way, looks like we might have the real answer very soon!

 

I see now they have had the Touring concept around for a few years, the one at the 2011 auto show Shawn posted did have a few styling updates from the 2009 one Jeszek posted.  Since it is rumored as a 2.0 turbo variant, and Forester is supposedly now excluded - that pretty much leaves Impreza or Crosstrek.  If the early 'touring' concept holds, I'd put my wager on a Crosstrek variant.

[MR_Loyale]

Ugly car. Looks like a cross between a Chrysler 300 and an Impreza with some gull wing doors thrown in. B ut then again, a Prius is an ugy duckling too.

Edited February 28, 2013 by MR_Loyale

[Loyale 2.7 Turbo]

Well... you Know I love History.

 

Hybrids aren't anything New... the Very first in 1900 ...  ... was the 4WD "Mixte" built by Ferdinand Porsche; which had an Electric Motor to power the wheels, a couple of Batteries, and a Gasoline Motor was mounted to move a pair of Generators, to extend reliability; it even broke Speed Records then, and won a Rally in 1901, driven by Porsche himself.

 

More info: ~► http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hybrid_electric_vehicle#Early_days

 

_______________________________________

 

 

About the Subaru "Tourer" Hybrid... it remembers me the Subaru "Exiga" Concept:

 

it was shown for Years in auto shows, with minor changes, until it was Released for Sale...

 

 

The Early (2009) Subaru Tourer Hybrid concept, was Modified and Renamed as "Subaru Celeno":

 

 

 

 

As Usual, more info on the "Strange & Weird Subaru Stuff" Thread, ~► Here.  

____________________________________________________________________________

 

 

But Subaru had another Hybrid Concept Before:  2005 Subaru B5-TPH with a "Turbo Parallel Hybrid" Engine:

Once Again, that Photo is taken from the Above Mentioned Thread, where you can Read more info about those, 

 

Also ~► http://www.supercars.net/cars/3221.html

 

Kind Regards.

[nipper]

HISTORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  NOoooooooooooooooooooo make it go away ... wait .. no thats math. Please continue.

 

 

Automotive speaking there really hasnt been anything truly new for a while now, just perfected and refined.

[mikaleda]

I don't realy like the way the doors open that looks like the first thing that will have problems. Other than the doors though the design is cool and the hybrid technology sounds good.

Not that I will ever be able to afford one though

[nipper]

Gullwing doors rarely make it to production, they are best on show cars to show the interior of the car. I wouldnt worry about the doors.

 

These things will ruin my record of never buying a subaru that hasnt been broken in (120K or more). I dont think I would trust hybrid with that mileage.

[Legacy777]

A year or so back I talked with a Subaru engineer and he said the WRX & STi's will be moving to a hybrid technology.  The Evo's will eventually be going to a hybrid setup as well.  As mentioned above, this is all driven by CAFE's standards and meeting fuel economy requirements.  This is why Subaru has moved almost all their cars to CVT transmissions.

 

I actually like the styling of the Tourer concept....I can do without the gull wing doors, but overall I like the lines of the car.....but they always get watered down for the production model.