Subaru unveils updated design of concept car that will lead to hybrid production in 2013

Very interesting.

Does this foreshadow the 4WD hybrid that so many people who live in
snowy climes have longed for so long? :rockon:

FWIW, Fuji Heavy Industries, the parent company of Subaru, is
currently in a partial partnership with Toyota, which owns 16.5% of
FHI. A large part, if not the majority, of the stock was acquired from
GM over the years since 2005.

I have to wonder how much hybrid-based cross-pollenization
accompanied the partial ownership.

As to an EV mode capability, the non-PHEV Prii have it, but it ain't
much and its use can severely reduce MPGs. So, it may not be such a
big deal. I guess that the unknown HV battery capacity will tell the
story.

At any rate, more hybrid vehicle offerings is a good thing, especially in
configurations that Toyota has chosen not to offer.

I wish Subaru well. :cheer2:

 

Actually, we already have 4wd hybrids.

1) Toyota Highlander Hybrid and Lexus RXi-4wd (rear wheels are driven by an electric motor)

2) GMC Yukon hybrid, Cadillac Escalade Hybrid and Chevrolet Tahoe ybrid 4wd (true 4wd with high and low gears and an auto 4wd mode)

3) Lexus LS600hl (full time AWD-power is sent to the wheels through a center differential)

4) Ford Escape 4wd and the former Mercury Mariner 4wd Hybrids

5) BMW X6 Active Hybrid

6) Volkswagen Touareg and Porsche Cayenne Hybrids (same powertrain)

7) The unknown and mostly forgotten Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen Hybrids

8) Another unknown and mostly forgotten Mercedes ML450 hybrid (only available as a lease from Mercedes **a la EV1)

 

**Howerver, it would be nice to add more AWD hybrid cars to the market rather than AWD hybrid SUVs.

 

again


subaru had a hybrid powertrain back in 2005 and 2003, it was a 2.0 L

http://www.greencarcongress.com/2005/09/fuji_heavys_tur.html


when it actually come to selling cars with new technology, subaru is always "late to the game".

never leaders, always followers.