Yahoo Autos Confirmed: New Subaru Plug-In Hybrid Crosstrek
Subaru’s upcoming plug-in hybrid has a familiar name: Crosstrek. With a brief release, the company revealed not just the Crosstrek hybrid name but several new details regarding its upcoming efficiency leader-including the pairing of a Subaru direct-injection flat-four with a version of the Toyota Hybrid System (THS).
Subie fans, rest assured: The 2019 Subaru Crosstrek hybrid will retain Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive-although the brand didn’t clarify whether that means a separate electric motor powering the rear wheels or a mechanical connection from the front. It stated, however, that the global platform, which now underpins most of its vehicles for the U.S. market except the WRX family, “was designed to accommodate hybrid and electric powertrains.”
Subaru has joined a partnership with Toyota, Mazda, and Denso for electric-vehicle development. Any product resulting from that joint venture is probably years away, though. As for the Crosstrek hybrid, Subaru downplays the plug-in capabilities, saying that it can just be driven like a hybrid, even though it describes a mode with “pure electric drive for local commuting.” That suggests that it’s unlikely to set any records for EV-mode range.
If the charging port and badging aren’t enough to distinguish the model’s eco credentials, Subaru promises styling tweaks for the Crosstrek hybrid, “calling out its distinct abilities.” Otherwise, we expect the great interior packaging of the Subaru Crosstrek to carry over-perhaps only with some minor sacrifices to cargo space.
While the announcement brings no answer about how and where the name Evoltis-which Subaru trademarked earlier this year-will be used, perhaps it will be held for that electric car on the horizon. It also didn’t clarify whether this plug-in might be available in all 50 states, Subaru’s second take on the Crosstrek hybrid promises a lot more than the underwhelming first effort of the same name. Look for more details in the coming months and, likely, an on-sale date before the end of the year.
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