Subaru XV to have brand’s first plug-in hybrid drivetrain
Key components to come from shareholder Toyota
The Subaru XV, known as the Crosstrek in North America, will be the first model in the company's range to feature a plug-in hybrid drivetrain.
Subaru of America made the announcement at the end of last week, but details about the vehicle are pretty thin on the ground at the moment.
The company says the Crosstrek Hybrid "uniquely integrates" a Toyota Hybrid System with a direct-injection Subaru four-cylinder boxer engine. The drivetrain will also feature all-wheel drive and an "all-new" transmission.
Takeshi Tachimori, Subaru's chief technical officer, told Automotive News earlier this year the company's new plug-in hybrid would share a lot with the Toyota Prius Prime.
The Prius Prime mates a 71kW/142Nm 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine with an electric motor for a total of 90kW of power. Its 8.8kWh lithium-ion battery endows the Prime with a pure EV range of 40km according to the US EPA.
Toyota currently owns 17 per cent of Subaru.
While the Impreza sedan and hatch are built in the US for local sale, the Crosstrek Hybrid will be imported from Japan.
Above: Conventionally-powered Subaru XV.
Australia
The new Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid goes on sale in the US at the end of 2018. Initial sales will reportedly be limited to states that have adopted California's zero-emission vehicle mandate.
We're waiting to hear back from Subaru Australia about whether this model could end up in Australia as part of the XV range.
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