Subaru will be going it alone on its first hybrid-powered vehicles, a new report finds. It was thought that Subaru would lean on corporate partner Toyota for its hybrid technology, but a Subaru executive says that will not be the case.
Toyota purchased an 8.7 percent stake in Subaru back in 2005, which was expected to lay the groundwork for a hybrid partnership between the two. However, an un-named Subaru executive has revealed to just-auto that the company will not be borrowing Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive technology.
Instead, Subaru engineers will develop their own hybrid system. Unlike Toyota’s HSD, Subaru’s system will be based on a mild system like those used by Honda and General Motors. Although that means Subaru’s hybrid vehicles won’t be able to operate in electric only mode, they will use a small electric motor to aid in vehicle acceleration which will boost overall fuel economy.
Subaru’s hybrid technology will likely bow in 2013 in the company’s Legacy model. The hybrid Legacy is expected to first launch in Japan, but Subaru has plans to quickly bring the green technology to the United States. It remains unclear, though, if Subaru’s first hybrid application for the U.S. would be the Legacy or another vehicle like the Forester crossover. Whatever the case, look for Subaru’s first hybrid to retain the company’s signature boxer engine and all-wheel drive.
References
1.’EXCLUSIVE: Subaru swerves…’ view
