Subaru, in partnership with Toyota and Mazda, is forging ahead with its commitment to combustion engines, augmented by electrified solutions. This strategy was first revealed in May and has been gaining momentum ever since.
The Japanese automaker’s success is evident in its overseas markets, particularly in Europe and North America. The Impreza and Crosstrek have excelled in European safety tests, while the Forester’s e-Boxer powertrain has made a splash in the Old Continent.
Across the Atlantic, Subaru of America has reported a steady increase in sales, reaching nearly 494,000 deliveries in the first three quarters of 2024. This marks 26 consecutive months of growth, culminating in the introduction of the limited-edition 2025 BRZ Series.Purple.
Now, Subaru is turning its attention to the Japanese market with the announcement of its electrified boxer powertrain. This new hybrid system, set to debut in December 2024 on the JDM-specification Crosstrek, combines a 2.5-liter horizontally opposed engine with a transaxle.
The series parallel configuration allows for efficient power delivery, and Subaru’s signature Symmetrical AWD ensures optimal traction. Subaru’s next generation hybrid system is a cutting-edge powertrain designed to deliver exceptional fuel efficiency and performance.
At its core is a transaxle that houses two electric motors, a front differential gear, and an electronically controlled coupling. The traction motor, capable of generating 88 kW of power, can serve as the primary source of propulsion.
A high voltage lithium ion battery, strategically located under the cargo floor, complements the traditional 2.5 liter boxer engine. This innovative hybrid system is capable of achieving a combined fuel economy of over 1,000 kilometers.
While Subaru has provided detailed specifications for the individual components, the combined system output and performance figures remain undisclosed. The Subaru Crosstrek, equipped with this hybrid system, is currently in its prototype stage and is expected to be available globally in early 2025.
