2014 Subaru Forester could get new hybrid powertrain
Subaru will launch the all-new 2014 Forester around the globe this year but has been tight-lipped about their new upcoming hybrid model. We do know that Subaru will launch the new hybrid sometime this year and is expecting it to be a big part of their growth both here in the U.S. and around the globe. In their 2012 sales announcement today, Subaru executive vice president and COO, said, “It was a great year for Subaru of America. The popular XV Crosstrek, all-new 2014 Forester and an upcoming hybrid will fuel our growth in this new year.”
We have known that Subaru has been working on a new hybrid model for some time now, but it’s been unclear which model would be fitted with the new hybrid powertrain. There has been speculation that it could be the Legacy mid-size sedan or possible the newly designed Impreza that is already the most fuel-efficient all-wheel-drive in their lineup at 36 mpg. The new Impreza has been wildly popular here in the U.S. and has led the charge for Subaru’s record sales in 2012.
The new 2014 Forester is likely to get hybrid powertrain
The all-new 2014 Subaru Forester is already exceeding sales goals and in it’s first month more than quadrupled Subaru’s monthly target. Orders for the all-new crossover have reached 8,149 units as of December 16 in just one month after its launch on November 13. This breaks the monthly sales target of 2,000 units by more than fourfold.
The new 2014 Forester is built on the Impreza platform and would be a likely vehicle to receive the new Subaru hybrid powertrain. We do know that Subaru is designing the new hybrid technology in-house and will not be getting the system from another company like Toyota. Subaru has been working on developing their own gas-electric system and it shows their plans for the future will include the new technology. Subaru has plans to boost fleet-wide fuel efficiency by 30 percent by 2015 and new hybrid powertrain and fuel-thrifty continuously variable transmissions (CVT) will move them in that direction.
Hybrid technology will be major part of Subaru’s future
It looks like Subaru is planning to aggressively market their new hybrid vehicle in the future as opposed to just having a token hybrid in their lineup to help them create a “green” image or meet regulatory requirements. The Advanced Tourer Concept that revealed at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Salon gave an idea of what Subaru was planning for their new production hybrid vehicle. That concept car featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine coupled with an electric motor providing 13 horsepower of assist. Power for the motor was provided by a small lithium ion battery pack.
It’s speculation that the new Subaru hybrid will be coming in the 2014 Forester, but we do know Subaru will be launching the new hybrid sometime in 2013. To many devoted Subaru loyalists who have been calling for a hybrid option for years, it's good news.