Subaru Hybrid Concept (coming 2012)
10-13-09, 02:58 PM
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10-13-09, 06:18 PM
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Subaru may have been recently experiencing excellent sales records but for it to stay competitive in the long run, it believes that it has to have hybrids in its lineup. Subaru predicts that in the next two years, it will have record US sales. In fact, US sales this year will top the brand’s record of 200,703 set in 2006 and will rise again next year, according to Ikuo Mori, president of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd., the maker of Subaru vehicles.
Sales improved due to the cash-for-clunkers program and the summer rollout of the redesigned Legacy sedan and Outback wagon. Mori fully expects a sales record this year even if the new Legacy and Outback only contributed to a few months of sales.
Next year, those two models will add to full-year sales and Subaru is confident of getting another all-time record. The U.S. light-vehicle market may have been down 27% for the first nine months, but Subaru is one of only three brands — along with Kia and Hyundai — to post a sales increase. Subaru’s US sales are up 10 percent from 2008. Subaru bemoans the fact that it trails Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co. in producing fuel-efficient hybrids and compact cars. Subaru didn’t sit around to find out how its shortcomings would affect it in the future and formed an alliance with Toyota to gain access to green-car technology.
Mori asserted that to stay in the race, Subaru needs more alternative drivetrains. Subaru is compelled to consider long-range emissions regulations, which are very difficult to achieve with its current gasoline engines. Hence, Mori saw the need for a hybrid system. Mori said that Subaru’s task is to integrate green-car technology with distinctive Subaru performance. Subaru’s current challenge stems from the realization that it lacks a platform that can accommodate Toyota ’s hybrid system.
This indicates that the first hybrid likely will be timed with a full model change. Subaru plans to launch a hybrid early next decade. One of the things being considered is a hybrid system teamed with Subaru’s all-wheel-drive layout.
Sales improved due to the cash-for-clunkers program and the summer rollout of the redesigned Legacy sedan and Outback wagon. Mori fully expects a sales record this year even if the new Legacy and Outback only contributed to a few months of sales.
Next year, those two models will add to full-year sales and Subaru is confident of getting another all-time record. The U.S. light-vehicle market may have been down 27% for the first nine months, but Subaru is one of only three brands — along with Kia and Hyundai — to post a sales increase. Subaru’s US sales are up 10 percent from 2008. Subaru bemoans the fact that it trails Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co. in producing fuel-efficient hybrids and compact cars. Subaru didn’t sit around to find out how its shortcomings would affect it in the future and formed an alliance with Toyota to gain access to green-car technology.
Mori asserted that to stay in the race, Subaru needs more alternative drivetrains. Subaru is compelled to consider long-range emissions regulations, which are very difficult to achieve with its current gasoline engines. Hence, Mori saw the need for a hybrid system. Mori said that Subaru’s task is to integrate green-car technology with distinctive Subaru performance. Subaru’s current challenge stems from the realization that it lacks a platform that can accommodate Toyota ’s hybrid system.
This indicates that the first hybrid likely will be timed with a full model change. Subaru plans to launch a hybrid early next decade. One of the things being considered is a hybrid system teamed with Subaru’s all-wheel-drive layout.
10-13-09, 10:30 PM
#20
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they needed to go a bit more mature/euro in their design approach. I am happy to see them going in this direction. Also the FT86 car they are developing with Toyota looks amazing
10-13-09, 11:08 PM
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correction, it is 1 RPM for the sake of math
10-27-09, 09:11 PM
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http://rumors.automobilemag.com/6585...012/index.html
Subaru president Ikuo Mori said during a press preview of the Tokyo motor show that the company will offer a hybrid by 2012. The hybrid powertrain will arrive in an existing model in the Subaru lineup.
Mori said that the hybrid would make its way into one of the smaller models Subaru offers in order to maximize fuel efficiency. As we reported a few weeks back, the new offering would utilize Subaru driving characteristics. We would assume that all-wheel drive will make its way into the hybrid to keep with Subaru's promise of standard awd.
As C.A.F.E standards reach 35.5 mpg in 2016, Subaru needs something to help it reach this mandate. Mori has not said if the hybrid would be sold stateside, but we think that's pretty much a given.
Subaru showed off its Tourer hybrid concept at the Tokyo show that features a 2.0-liter gas engine paired with an electric motor that drives the front wheels. The rear axle is driven solely by an electric motor. The 2-door gull-winged hatchback may not make it to market in its current form, but we can always dream.
Subaru is developing its hybrid powertrain based on Toyota's proven green technology. Toyota owns 16.5-percent of Fuji Heavy Industry.
Subaru president Ikuo Mori said during a press preview of the Tokyo motor show that the company will offer a hybrid by 2012. The hybrid powertrain will arrive in an existing model in the Subaru lineup.
Mori said that the hybrid would make its way into one of the smaller models Subaru offers in order to maximize fuel efficiency. As we reported a few weeks back, the new offering would utilize Subaru driving characteristics. We would assume that all-wheel drive will make its way into the hybrid to keep with Subaru's promise of standard awd.
As C.A.F.E standards reach 35.5 mpg in 2016, Subaru needs something to help it reach this mandate. Mori has not said if the hybrid would be sold stateside, but we think that's pretty much a given.
Subaru showed off its Tourer hybrid concept at the Tokyo show that features a 2.0-liter gas engine paired with an electric motor that drives the front wheels. The rear axle is driven solely by an electric motor. The 2-door gull-winged hatchback may not make it to market in its current form, but we can always dream.
Subaru is developing its hybrid powertrain based on Toyota's proven green technology. Toyota owns 16.5-percent of Fuji Heavy Industry.
03-05-10, 06:03 PM
#25
Update
Earlier reports have suggested that new CAFE standards would force Subaru to fast track its plans for diesel and hybrid options and possibly drop standard all-wheel drive as well for the U.S. market. Now, inside sources are claiming that the first hybrid may in fact end up being an Impreza – not the Subaru Legacy hybrid that has been expected since it was announced in 2005.
Subaru nears completion of its hybrid system
According to inside sources speaking with Road & Track, the hybrid Legacy that has been promised since 2005 does not properly host a hybrid powertrain due to unnamed issues with its chassis. Because of this, Subaru’s engineers have instead turned to the Impreza model to house their hybrid powertrain and become the automaker’s first production hybrid.
Subaru unveiled a concept vehicle at the 2009 LA Auto Show, known as the Hybrid Tourer that was powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged boxer engine in addition to a two-mode hybrid system and a CVT transmission. The 2.0-liter boxer engine is currently offered in the Japanese market for their Impreza, where the American market enjoys a larger 2.4-liter unit. Although Road & Track suggested Subaru may fit their hybrid system onto the 2.4-liter boxer engine currently used for the U.S. market, we find ourselves leaning towards use of the same 2.0-liter found in both Japan and the Hybrid Tourer concept vehicle.
The 2.0-liter unit would offer less power, but depending on the configuration, the hybrid system could help to boost power while also taking advantage of the less thirsty 2.0-liter boxer compared to its larger sibling. Since Subaru has already developed that exact system for its concept car, it would also make for an easier conversion to their production model.
How Subaru arrived where it is today in regards to hybrid technology
Just over two years ago Subaru shared with the world that it was in the midst of moving forward with diesel and hybrid powertrains for the future, but that diesels would likely be the automaker’s top priority. Subaru attributed this hierarchy on the “voices” of its consumers demanding diesels more loudly than they were demanding hybrids.
“There are many opinions. But currently, the voices calling for diesels are stronger than the voices for hybrids,” Ikuo Mori, president of Subaru parent company Fuji Heavy Industries, told Automotive News Europe.
Around the same time Toyota doubled its stake in Subaru’s parent company, Fuji Industries, and Toyota and Subaru were well on their way with sharing hybrid technology. “We agreed with Toyota to utilize the Toyota system in developing our own hybrid technology,” Mori said. “Fundamentally speaking, we can’t just plunk Toyota’s system into our own vehicles. We need to develop something that is adjusted to our products.”
Unlike other mainstream automakers, Subaru found itself in a unique situation in regards to more stringent fuel economy standards due to the fact that it strictly sells vehicles equipped with all-wheel drive. Although AWD has its many benefits, the drawback is reduced fuel economy – regardless of how efficient the engine may be. With ever-pressing fuel economy standards, Subaru was forced to consider removing boxer engines and AWD off of the “standard” features list, and instead onto the “options” list.
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