Subaru continues to rely on boxer engines in the future. But they are supported electrically. A power outlet does not need the vehicles.
The Japanese off-road vehicle specialist Subaru is energizing its two bestsellers, albeit very carefully. The new Forester, which will be launched on the German market at the beginning of next year, will get a so-called "mild hybrid" just like its smaller brother XV. A two-liter turbo gasoline engine (110 kW / 150 PS) works together with a 12,3 kW / 16,7 PS electric motor. Purely electric driving is only possible for a good 1,5 kilometers.
Compared to the giants of the car world Subaru is rather small, but last year for the first time the brand of millions of sales worldwide cracked and has always been based on two special peculiarities: always four-wheel, always a boxer engine. Now, the Japanese SUV professionals have solved a ticket to the growing hybrid club. The traditional boxer, a two-liter gasoline engine, will in future work with a small electric motor. The result: good ten percent less fuel consumption, better acceleration and faster response of the drive in the field.
The “Mild Hybrid System” will of course be built into the two SUV models, which account for a good 70 percent of sales within the Subaru family. The completely new Forester will only be available with the engine duo from March next year. In the smaller five-door XV, the 1,6-liter petrol engine remains in the range alongside the top-of-the-range model, which has been dubbed the "e-Boxer". The pure performance data of the unequal twins are identical. The two-liter turbo of conventional design supplies the all-wheel drive with 110 kW / 150 PS. It is supported by a very small electric motor, which contributes a modest 12,3 kW / 16,7 PS. Small performance, surprising effect. When accelerating, the hybrid comes out of its hooves faster than the hybrid currentless predecessors, for example the Forester. The power from the battery also fires the pulling power (194 Nm), because the Stromer takes up full work even with a slight throttle. Advantages also in the field, where less pressure on the right pedal is necessary thanks to the support when crawling.
On the subject of "charging" the two Subaru follow the well-known model Toyota Prius with comparable technology. Charging takes place by recovering the energy when braking or when loosening the accelerator pedal. Generates the gasoline engine more power than in the current driving situation just needed, also flows into the battery power. In this respect, the second heart recharges quite quickly, without having to search for a power outlet as with a "big" hybrid. But this also reveals the disadvantage of the "mild" technique. The battery is enough for just 1,7 kilometers purely electric advances. Future zero-emission zones in our cities are restricted areas for both Subaru models. The plug-in hybrids, which are good 50 kilometers far, have the advantage here, may also carry an "E" in the license plate. Subaru has also such Stromer in preparation. A pure electric car will be presented to 2022.
While the compact XV to the start of the new engine wagon outwardly remains almost unchanged, the Forester is completely new, also builds on a stand-alone platform. Although the external dimensions are almost unchanged, next year's successor seems all around more powerful. It has a new front end with silver-rimmed side air intakes, narrower headlamps and raised grille and a new lines on the flanks, to further opening doors with integrated inner footboard to achieve a roof rack. Creamy piece is the tail with its taillights drawn further into the flap.
Prices and exact technical data are not yet available. Today's Forester starts at just 32.000 Euro, the comparable XV at 28.000 Euro. Both models are expected to have a slight mark-up.