Comments on: Subaru to launch diesel vehicles ahead of hybrids

By: meekin111

meekin111 — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 06:51:34 +0000

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.

By: kayne001

kayne001 — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 02:24:21 +0000

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?

By: SubieDoug

SubieDoug — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 01:21:08 +0000

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.

By: Rompn4x

Rompn4x — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 20:11:05 +0000

Where are the Diesel hybrids? Too bad it’s Subaru who is doing the Diesel move the cars are ugly.

By: kansei

kansei — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 20:02:36 +0000

omg nice.. a Subie with a diesel boxer engine.. would just straight up sound like a harley

By: autonut

autonut — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 16:04:55 +0000

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.

By: TomF

TomF — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 15:38:53 +0000

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?

By: 67_L-88

67_L-88 — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 15:07:09 +0000

Yes, more diesels for North America

By: R1GHT30U5

R1GHT30U5 — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 14:30:24 +0000

“It’s possible the U.S. market could have to wait until 2012 to get the new diesels.”

Figures…

By: CTS DRIVER

CTS DRIVER — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 14:27:56 +0000

excellent move subie excellent move.

By: autonut

autonut — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 13:27:28 +0000

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.