Subaru didn’t plan on introducing diesel-powered models to the U.S. market until at least 2012, but that schedule could be moving up in the wake of President Obama’s recently announced fuel economy standards. That push to 35.5 mpg by 2016 could also be moving up Subaru’s hybrid vehicle plans.
Subaru was set to launch its first U.S. diesel in 2012, but that date could be moved up to 2011, according to Bloomberg. Subaru will likely fast track its first wave of U.S. clean diesel to comply with the President’s newly minted CAFE regulations.
Moreover, Subaru’s first hybrid could hit the U.S. market at about the same time as the company’s diesels. Ikuo Mori, president of Subaru parent company Fuji Heavy Industries , told Bloomber the Japanese automaker “hopes to introduce a hybrid around the same time” its first U.S.-spec diesel cars hit the market.
That is a bit of a change from the company’s stance just a few months ago. In late 2007, Mori told Automotive News “the voices calling for diesels are stronger than the voices for hybrids.” However, last summer’s gas spike and looming CAFE regulations are likely behind the change in stance.
05/21, 12:54 PM
posted by:
snork
As a Subaru fan, they can’t get them here soon enough. I figured being an AWD only manufacturer, the CAFE standards hit them particularly harder than other manufacturers. You gotta wonder if they will end up being forced to abandon their AWD only mantra because of the MPG penalty?
05/21, 1:31 PM
posted by:
slider5634
“As a Subaru fan, they can’t get them here soon enough. I figured being an AWD only manufacturer, the CAFE standards hit them particularly harder than other manufacturers. You gotta wonder if they will end up being forced to abandon their AWD only mantra because of the MPG penalty?”
This is something that I still don’t understand. Manufacturers shouldn’t be penalized over the drive type of the vehicle. It’s simply not fair to them when they are being penalized more than the competitor when the only difference between the two vehicles is drive type. If anything, these standards need to be based soley off of the size of the vehicle compared to the engine size and power it has.
05/21, 1:42 PM
posted by:
Struggle
Instead of a Diesel -or- Hybrid, make a true Diesel/Hybrid. That outta exceed Toyota and everyone else’s MPG rating by leaps and bounds.
Just make a smallish Diesel with a battery system, providing plenty of Torque and MPG for all.
Even if the fuel prices are more, the combination of power and mileage will more than make up for it.
05/21, 1:52 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
If Subaru doesn’t move away from their recent UGLY only mantra it won’t make much difference what’s driving the wheels never mind whether it’s just 2 or all 4 of them.
05/21, 2:17 PM
posted by:
Borat
Johnny, ugly only mantra obviously worked for them since they preferred ride among butch lesbians. In upstate NY and New England Subaru even aiming commercials at rainbow generation.
As far as diesel and hybrid: Subaru already selling diesel in UK and Europe and hybrid technology they can borrow from Toyota.
05/21, 2:51 PM
posted by:
JakeK66
I agree with Johnny, they had some good car designs come out before with the last (current) gen Legacy and the later Imprezas were starting to look pretty good as well at the end, even with the schnoz. I can even forgive their effort in the original Tribeca, it’s not as bad a design as everyone who bashed it, and even if it was ugly, it was very well built and you can tell. The new Subarus, though, I question the quality of the new Legacy and Impreza, but at least the Forester is decent. Sad it has to comes down to the Forester to be the winner of the group.
05/21, 2:58 PM
posted by:
02WRXPSM
Diesel + boxer configuration = absolutely monster torque. There is no downside to this. Mustang drivers have to be careful about what they call ugly.
05/21, 3:07 PM
posted by:
Borat
02WRXPSM, I know you love Suby, but to have an orgasm over this is a bit a perversion, mate.
05/21, 3:12 PM
posted by:
shane train
02WRX- Diesel Boxer would be terrifyingly awesome, I agree 100%. But the ugly has to be remedied, not excused for the ugliness of another car.
05/21, 4:08 PM
posted by:
A4
yeaaaaaa diesel! now stop being so ugly
05/21, 5:35 PM
posted by:
AFSOCSARGE
There is only a 2 MPG penalty with RWD/AWD which I’, sure can be made up with Direct Injection,Cylinder Deactivation and a 8 Speed Transmission. There is a huge misconception on the Mileage Penalties of RWD/AWD.
-Sarge
05/22, 12:02 AM
posted by:
Kanucko
I’d do stop/start as well and look to dump some weight somehow. They could always nab CVT trannies from Nissan somehow…not that I like cvt’s…
Don’t think they are too bad in aerodynamics…since they do resemble melted Kia spectra’s/ corolla’s now.
05/22, 4:28 AM
posted by:
The Stig
Subaru’s diesel is a bright spot in their technology portfolio. Fast tracking it is a good idea. But like a lot of others have said they have additional work to do in other areas.
05/22, 11:18 AM
posted by:
shane train
The Stig- You ARE referring to the mug right? The thing’s as ugly as Glenn Beck while he’s yelling.
06/23, 8:53 AM
posted by:
Orphancarguy
I drive both a Peugeot 505 TD wagon, and a Jetta TDI wagon. The Forester not so much because it is a gas pig even with a manual–the Jetta doubles the mpg of the Subaru. A boxer diesel will be incredible for torque due to the design. Once you are moving diesels beat any gas engine, feature for feature IMHO. Want to tow or carry a heavy load? Diesel. Want to pass? Diesel. The turbochargers come on from about 1400 rpm with a diesel, and you can pass even without downshifting. Both my wagons have about 90 official HP but you would never think it, how they handle hills, heavy loads, at any legal (or illegal) speeds . If my Jetta always gets (at least) 45 mpUSg, on average, then a Diesel Forester would likely get about 40. A diesel-electric hybrid would have mileage in the stratosphere–think 30% better than a Prius or an Insight, even with AWD. Can’t wait for a diesel Sub. Mind you, if VW comes out with a manual 4Motion Jetta TDI wagon, I’m there.