New Subaru hybrid system with Toyota tech revealed, coming to Australia

Subaru has unveiled new hybrid technology combining its ‘boxer’ engine with a Toyota electric motor and battery, launching in Japan with the Crosstrek – and in Australia with the new Forester.

Subaru has unveiled its next-generation hybrid technology with Toyota components – promising more meaningful fuel savings than the hybrid systems in current Subaru cars – due in Australia next year.

The new ‘Strong Hybrid’ system has debuted in the Crosstrek small SUV, combining a 2.5-litre Subaru four-cylinder ‘boxer’ engine with a Toyota electric motor and battery.

It will arrive in Australia first in the next-generation Forester family SUV, due in showrooms in 2025. The Crosstrek Strong Hybrid is yet to be confirmed for local showrooms.

Subaru claims the new system will reduce fuel consumption by 20 per cent compared to the brand’s current hybrids, and up to 1000km of driving range on one tank.

The hybrid technology in existing Subaru models – which uses a much smaller electric motor and battery – is said to reduce fuel use by about 10 per cent, but real-world testing by Drive has found the savings to be negligible.

On sale now in Japan, the Crosstrek Strong Hybrid combines a 2.5-litre four-cylinder ‘boxer’ petrol engine developing 118kW/209Nm – up on the 110kW/196Nm quoted by the 2.0-litre engine in the current Crosstrek e-Boxer hybrid.

It is matched with a significantly more powerful electric drive motor, now developing 88kW/270Nm – up from just 12.3kW/66Nm. A second electric motor is fitted to recuperate electricity under deceleration.

The lithium-ion battery has been enlarged to 1.1kWh, up from 0.6kWh, according to Automotive News. It runs at a higher voltage, now 260V against 188V previously.

As with its previous-generation technology, Subaru does not quote combined power and torque output for the new hybrid system.

A fuel consumption figure is not claimed, but a 20 per cent saving compared to today’s technology would equate to 5.2L/100km in Australian testing – compared to the hybrid’s 6.5L/100km, and the petrol-only version’s 7.2L/100km.

Automotive News reports the Strong Hybrid tech cuts the Crosstrek’s 0-100km/h acceleration time by 2.1 seconds – a task the current hybrid needs about 11 seconds to complete, based on real-world testing.

There remains a mechanical connection between the front and rear wheels to maintain Subaru’s permanent all-wheel-drive technology.

The fuel tank has grown from 48 litres to 63 litres, now matching the petrol-only Crosstrek, by moving the power control unit to the engine bay from under the boot floor. It remains to be seen if a spare wheel is fitted.

A hybrid driving range of more than 1000km on one tank is quoted, said to be the longest of any production Subaru.

Also new is an electric-only drive mode, as well as a 1500-watt power outlet in the boot for running electrical devices from the hybrid system’s battery.

Strong Hybrid versions of the Crosstrek in Japan – prices for which are yet to be confirmed – also gain new technology, including a widescreen 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster for the first time.

There is also a new wheel design, and updated EyeSight X safety technology offering assisted lane changes and lane-centring software allowing the driver to take their hands off the steering wheel – but keep their eyes on the road – in low-speed traffic jams.

The post New Subaru hybrid system with Toyota tech revealed, coming to Australia appeared first on Drive.

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