Although Subaru is working with Toyota to develop hybrid technology, the automaker will introduce diesels-powered vehicles to the market first, company officials announced. Europe is slated to get diesel-powered Subarus beginning next year — shortly after the diesels are debuted at the 2008 Geneva auto show — but the automaker has no immediately plans to bring the engines to the U.S. It’s possible the U.S. market could have to wait until 2012 to get the new diesels.
“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.
Although diesels are the automakers top priority, Subaru will continue to develop its hybrid technology with Toyota. “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.”
Mori failed to give a time frame for when Subaru will have hybrids on the market but did say the company would wait until lithium-ion battery technology is perfected. General Motors hopes to have lithium-ion vehicles by 2010, so expect Subaru to introduce its hybrid technology after that, possibly around the same time the U.S. will get Subaru’s diesel vehicles.
In addition to hybrid technology, Subaru and Toyota are also beleived to be co-developing a new sports car for the Japanese market.
10/16, 8:27 AM
posted by:
autonut
Very smart move if they can pull it off. Which I doubt. The boxer engine in Outback was quite a crude implement with lot of NVH. Diesel will not improve matter.
10/16, 9:27 AM
posted by:
CTS DRIVER
excellent move subie excellent move.
10/16, 9:30 AM
posted by:
R1GHT30U5
“It’s possible the U.S. market could have to wait until 2012 to get the new diesels.”
Figures…
10/16, 10:07 AM
posted by:
67_L-88
Yes, more diesels for North America
10/16, 10:38 AM
posted by:
TomF
We should have these cars in the US. I drove a Renault clean-diesel station wagon in Europe. It was bigger than an Outback and got 50 mpg. Why can’t we have those cars?
10/16, 11:04 AM
posted by:
autonut
One more comment: when Toyota bought 20% of Fuji from GM they commented about Fuji’s foray into new batteries technology and called it synergy between 2 companies. Now Suby states that the technology is not really there.
TomF I agree with you. I drove diesel cars in Europe and their behavior of diesel with 4 cylinders about the same as 6 cylinders statewide, of course because of torque. The issue is particulate that diesel spews and CAFE does not like it. By the same token diesel produces much less CO2 which is really harmful for environment. CAFE regulations are forcing extra research on ridding diesel of particulates from exhaust. Bluetech, based on urea, is the only technology available today; being Benz it is expensive. Apparently WV will use the same technology sometime in the future. Honda promised clean diesel for states that uses engine as particulate burner. Should be available in 2009-2010. Because of strict CAFE requirements nobody wanted to touch it 5 years ago, but mileage requirements made diesel lesser of 2 evils.
10/16, 3:02 PM
posted by:
kansei
omg nice.. a Subie with a diesel boxer engine.. would just straight up sound like a harley
10/16, 3:11 PM
posted by:
Rompn4x
Where are the Diesel hybrids? Too bad it’s Subaru who is doing the Diesel move the cars are ugly.
10/16, 8:21 PM
posted by:
SubieDoug
autonut…just to clarify a couple of things. They are currently running the 2.5L turbo Diesel boxer in mules all over Europe with great results regarding mileage/performance/emissions/driveabilty. I can’t honestly say I’ve ever felt the boxer engine was or is “crude” as you suggested. In fact, it’s inherent design makes it smoother than a V-style engine or an inline engine with no need for internal counterbalancers, etc. It’s been a proven drivetrain for Subaru for over 30 years and it’s a great basis for the diesel.
We’re told that 2012 is realistic for the intro here in the states, but internally they are pushing for possibly the 2010 Outback/Legacy platform, which we should see spring of 2009. Frankly I’m not sure they can pull it off that soon, but our customer’s are crying for it.
I think money is the issue regarding Subaru’s development (or lack of) a hybrid. Money says we’ll see a turbo-diesel boxer before a true hybrid.
10/16, 9:24 PM
posted by:
kayne001
Other than a diesel hybrid can i ask this question?
Of what i heard is that diesel vehicles have higher (or more whatever) emissions therefore this is why they don’t come out in the US as much: Because more expensive emission control systems are needed in those cars they cost more than a gas counterpart., and because of more strict emission control rules. Is this correct?
10/17, 1:51 AM
posted by:
meekin111
Subie doug is right, a boxer engine should be smoother than V or inline because of the way the cylinders counterbalace each other. Kayne, I think diesel engines produce less CO2 than petrol engines but more of other kinds of emmisions.