Will new Subaru Impreza compact feature exclusive fuel-saving drivetrain?

When Subaru starts building the new 2017 Impreza compact sedan and 5-Door hatch at their U.S. plant in Indiana, the compact car could be getting a new drivetrain. It’s possible it could get the 2016 Impreza Sport Hybrid drivetrain like the car Subaru introduced in the Japan market in July. Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI) is displaying the Impreza Hybrid at Eco Products 2015 in Tokyo December 10-12. The new Impreza Sport Hybrid is the second hybrid from Subaru, following the Subaru XV Hybrid that launched in 2013. Is a new Impreza hybrid coming to the U.S. market?

Subaru’s new Impreza Sport hybrid is powered by a 2.0-liter 4 cylinder boxer engine coupled with an electric motor. The hybrid system comes mated to a specially designed Lineartronic continuously variable transmission (CVT). Subaru says the system will be fuel efficient and achieve fuel economy of just 20.4 km/liter (JC08 mode). All this will drive the Symmetrical AWD layout that Subaru vehicles are known for.

Subaru will also likely produce a new plug-in hybrid for North America to meet California's zero-emission vehicle standards taking effect in 2018. Subaru has said it plans to introduce a plug-in hybrid for North America and it will be an existing model, not a new vehicle. Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI) is developing new hybrid drivetrains as a favored way to meet increasingly stringent emission standards. FHI President Yasuyuki Yoshinaga said recently, “Fuji Heavy is working to comply with California's zero-emission vehicle standards taking effect in 2018.”

More new products are coming from Subaru because of FHI’s 2020 Vision Plan that calls for further expansion through 2020 which will include new products, better engines, increased production and cost cutting. Starting with next year’s models, Subaru will introduce a new modularized platform called the Subaru Global Platform that will support every model from the Impreza compact to the SUV-alternative Outback. It makes its debut in the next-generation Impreza in 2016. Subaru could also introduce the first plug-in hybrid technology in the new Impreza platform.

Look for Subaru to introduce the new plug-in hybrid technology for the U.S. market in 2018. The new Subaru PHEV will be based on Toyota’s hybrid technology. It’s very likely it could come packaged in the new 2017 Impreza sedan and 5-Door hatchbacks that will be built here in the U.S. Stay tuned.

Media source: Subaru Japan