Tokyo Preview: Subaru releases more pics of Hybrid Tourer Concept
Subaru Hybrid Tourer Concept - click above for high-res image gallery
Subaru has just released a bunch of new images of its Hybrid Tourer concept that will debut next week at the Tokyo Motor Show. The gull-wing wagon/hatch/shooting brake thingy is Subaru's first major cut at a hybrid and the first from anyone using a boxer four cylinder engine. A pair of electric motors provide regenerative braking, pure electric drive and blended electric boost. A lithium ion battery pack provides the energy storage.
Subaru has been working with their partners at Toyota to produce this new hybrid architecture and it will likely appear in production vehicles in the next few years. Besides the hybrid system, the concept also includes a new direct injected version of its 2.0-liter turbo boxer engine that will also probably appear in production vehicles before long.
Gallery: Subaru Hybrid Tourer concept
[Source: Subaru]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
rob 1:29PM (10/12/2009)
This is actually Subaru's 3rd stab at an AWD hybrid system. Supposedly on their corporate drivetrain roadmap they wanted to get diesel, then gas direct injection, and then finally hybrid systems into production. They're very close on GDI, so there continues to be hope for a hybrid Subie making production in the next 5 years or so...
In 2005 they showed the B5-TPH concept with:
"This motor-generator is tightly packed between the automatic transmission and the turbocharged, horizontally opposed engine. Thanks to this system which helps the 2.0L Miller cycle engine at low revs, turbo lag is eliminated. This year, the Japanese are testing this system out on their roads.
The 2-liter Miller-cycle engine has an active valve control system and it is horizontally opposed with four-cylinders. It makes for great fuel economy. The motor-generator is powered by a manganese lithium-ion battery pack.
The combined output in the vehicle is 256 hp and 253 lb/ft of torque. The electric motor of the B5-TPH generates electricity, propels the wheels and recharges the battery when there is regenerative braking. "
Previous to that in 2004 they showed the B9 SC concept:
"The Sequential Series Hybrid Electric Vehicle (SSHEV) system employed in the Subaru B9 SC is unlike conventional hybrid systems. Traditionally, hybrid vehicles use an electric motor as an assistant to the internal combustion engine. In the B9 SC, however, a powerful electric motor is teamed with a 2.0-litre DOHC Subaru boxer 4-cylinder engine. At low and medium speeds, the petrol engine is used mainly to charge the lithium-ion batteries. Over 50 mph, the petrol engine takes full control of the vehicle. This way, the internal combustion element of the B9 SC runs at its most efficient speed. For hill climbs or for rapid acceleration, the SSHEV system is capable of combining output from both the petrol engine and the electric motor by means of a specially designed 2-way clutch."
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Nick 1:59PM (10/12/2009)
Subarus are very popular here in Alaska, but this one would not be--having to open that hatch in the cold/rain/sleet/snow makes no sense. Nice car for Southern California, however...
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wincros 2:48PM (10/12/2009)
I think this, although very pretty, is an old fashioned design in sacrificing function to looks. It is well known that increasing the size of openings in a body does awful things to the rigidity. All the extra bracing is what makes convertibles so heavy and why racers, if given a choice, opt for the car with the trunk rather than the hatchback. It is nice to know that Subaru can get away from the boy racer/baby SUV look, but I would be happier seeing a model that could be put into production without a lot of changes that people could afford.
Andy 9:37PM (10/12/2009)
How do you normally get out of cars in Alaska?
Do you have an attachment like a Snorkel Parka?
I'm just afraid it will get stuck in my Garage.
Wulf 1:59PM (10/12/2009)
Looks just wild enough to be a spiritual successor to the SVX... As an owner of two of them and an '09 Legacy GT Ltd., I can honestly say that I'm very much looking forward to more information on this one.
I just hope there isn't as much of a disparity between this concept and the final product as there was between the '10 concept and reality. That was rather disappointing.
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Wulf 2:09PM (10/12/2009)
One other amusing link I noticed...
As the SVX was designed by the same gentleman who designed the DeLorean, he felt the need to put the split window on the car...
Now, this concept has the gullwings to go with it...
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ljbad4life 2:40PM (10/12/2009)
I hope that this awd set up doesn't end up like the hyhi or the lexus rx450h. The awd is so limited that they really only function for 1% of the time and can't deal even with the lightest off road conditions.
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3PeaceSweet 3:11PM (10/12/2009)
Maybe a 1 litre, 2 cylinder boxer with small elecitric assist / start stop on the rear axle and a larger electric motor driving the front wheels with a line of batteries running down the middle of the vehicle.
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Mike!!ekiM 7:51PM (10/12/2009)
This is the 4th concept I've seen from Subaru in about 4 years. None of them have gone into production.
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SumideXE 8:50PM (10/12/2009)
This is hot. I really like it. It reminds me of the CRZ, but more serious, sporty, and utilitarian.
I am more so excited at the idea of subaru making a small car that is attractive, and direct injection turbo boxers. its' about time!
a hybrid would make for a great AWD car. I think VW/Audi were talking about producing a turbo GDI car with the electric power in the back. Given the right computer programming, i think that would be a cool AWD setup. No driveshaft necessary...
The gullwing is over the top and i doubt it would make it to production.
If it did, awesome. But yeah.. what about chassis rigidity?
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Bill 9:38AM (10/13/2009)
If they keep AWD, even direct injection by itself doesn't get Subaru the mileage increase necessary for the new CAFE standards.
Unless they can rapidly bring down the cost of a full-hybrid system diesel makes more sense for the U.S. market.
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3n1gma 4:36PM (10/13/2009)
Egh that thing's pretty wanky looking
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