Subaru Impreza WRX … Diesel? CVT?
14 Jun, 2007
7 Comments 
Late last year we reported that Subaru had built the first horizontally opposed diesel engine. Since then work has continued and there are currently no diesel variants of any Subaru models available.
However come 2008, Subaru are set to enter the diesel wars.
Our North American friends believe a Diesel powered Subaru Legacy (Liberty in Aus) will hit American showrooms next year followed by the Forester and Impreza.
Subaru Australia spokesman David Rowley told CarAdvice that although there is a great deal of interest for diesel variants in the Australian market, no timeline or particular models have yet been identified.
Reports say that after the initial launch of the Liberty diesel, Subaru will drop the efficient diesel engine into the Forester and Impreza. The Americans are expecting a Turbo-Diesel WRX by 2009. Another sign that Subaru is marketing the new Impreza WRX at an all new audience.
Further news from around the globe hints that Subaru are working hard on Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) systems (currently available in a range of cars including the Honda Jazz, Mitsubishi Colt etc). There are currently no details as to which models will gain the transmission system.
Overseas reports have denied rumours the new STi will come with a DSG option to compete with the Evo X.
Subaru Australia are still waiting for the specifications - the rally champion will be launched in Australia early next year.
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June 14th, 2007 at 12:55 pm
I love CVT! The new Lancer will have CVT, and the one in the colt is great.
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June 15th, 2007 at 10:07 am
Good to see CVT is being developed well enough to function reliably in a modern car. I can’t recall the manufacturer back in the 60-70’s that tried things out and failed because the belts were too weak.
The CVT has been used in many motor scooters, snowmobiles, and small/light vehicles for a while. I think the original Nissan Micra had it in the auto option? Correct me if I’m wrong. It’s a great system for a constantly variable (mind the pun) gear ratio that is optimised for every situation.
Although I sound like I appreciate it very much, and I love the simple design. I still prefer the very basic and relatively out-dated manual on the floor.
Going back to Nissan, I think the Morano (is that the right spelling?) has CVT too. Not bad for a big car. If the transmission can handle that, that’s pretty impressive with how far they’ve come in CVT design.
Cheers
Steve
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June 25th, 2007 at 2:25 am
I can’t wait to get one, as a cvt driver for 17 years now, in several makes, it will be my first diesel.
My first cvt car was a subaru justy 1.2 it drove great.
To me the cvt has proven itself to be very reliable, fast, and efficient with fuel also.
10 million cvt belts have already been produced, and it is expected that in 2010 aprox. 20 million units will be build.
Main users today are: nissan,mercedes-benz,honda,ford,
dodge-jeep and mitsubishi.
greetings from the netherlands,
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July 1st, 2007 at 5:49 pm
Steve:
being an old fogey, I remembered that the CVT you were likely thinking of was the DAF variomatic built in NL.
more info here - http://www.classic-daf.nl/indexb.html
For me a diesel Forester would be the perfect vehicle. CVT rather than standard auto wouldn’t hurt either
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October 30th, 2007 at 1:18 pm
I agree that a diesel Forester is the go. I’m looking at buying a new car right now, and had almost discounted Subaru (even though I’ve had four of them and loved them) for the sake of a diesel. Now I think I’ll wait until the new diesel forester comes out… I hope I don’t have to wait too long!
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January 1st, 2008 at 5:01 pm
A diesel Forester, the wya to go, no new subaru until then
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March 16th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
I cannot wait to see what CVT they will use. There are currently three types available, the DAF style which uses belts, the torodial which uses multi ball or half ball like devices to transfer kinetic energy from one concave disc to another and last but not least, Toyota’s e-CVT which apparently is an electronically controlled planetary system used in the Prius. I hope this one is a success.
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