Showing posts with label Subaru. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Subaru. Show all posts

Subaru's Viziv Concept Previews Future Design Direction and New Diesel-Electric Hybrid


Whenever you hear the words Subaru and crossover in the same sentence, images of the brand's much-loved Forester come to mind, a car for which stylish good looks take a back seat in favor of interior space, practicality and simplicity.

Subaru Viziv

Subaru Viziv

Subaru Viziv

Subaru Viziv

Subaru Viziv

Subaru Viziv Interior

Subaru Viziv Interior

However, with the Viziv crossover concept, revealed at the Geneva Motor Show, Subaru is announcing a much more style-oriented approach for its future models and its design direction in general.

The concept features a "Subaru Boxer Diesel Hybrid" system, which uses the company's 2.0-liter horizontally-opposed turbo diesel engine in conjunction with two rear-mounted electric motors. With various selectable modes, the system ensures the car has adequate grip in slippery conditions, while at the same time being at home in town.

From a design standpoint, the Viziv concept is rather successful, we say. With clean, flowing lines and a prominent front fascia, the car heralds the arrival of a much better-looking range of Subaru vehicles.

Hopefully, the modern design of the interior will also serve as inspiration for future road-going models, as this is an area where the Japanese automaker's offerings have never really shined.

The hybrid powertrain will also make its way into future production models, but will it mean the end of fun-to-drive Subarus? After all, remotely controlled electric motors can't really be a substitute for a prop shaft sending the engine's power to the wheels, at least not in terms of driver engagement and the overall experience of driving a car.

Articles Source : Carscoop

Subaru mulling three-row utility, upscale versions of existing models


Subaru was one of few automakers whose sales actually picked up during the recent recession. But now that auto sales are back on track (and expected to hit pre-recession numbers this year), Subaru is trying to come up with new products to fill voids in its current lineup. Wards Auto had a chance to talk to Subaru's director-product manager Ken Lin, who indicated that the automaker is planning to introduce new models this year that will help it attract new buyers without alienating current ones.

2014 Subaru Forester xt fd
2014 Subaru Forester xt fd

2014 Subaru Forester xt fd
2014 Subaru Forester xt fd

2014 Subaru Forester xt fd
2014 Subaru Forester xt fd

2014 Subaru Forester xt fd
2014 Subaru Forester xt fd

2014 Subaru Forester xt fd
2014 Subaru Forester xt fd

2014 Subaru Forester xt fd
2014 Subaru Forester xt fd

2014 Subaru Forester xt fd
2014 Subaru Forester xt fd

The biggest void, of course, is a competitive three-row crossover, a role the Tribeca does not fill in one a very popular segment. Lin said that while there's no current plan to kill off the Tribeca, Subaru is looking at creating a larger three-row CUV with more interior space. In addition to to something big, Subaru is getting ready to bring its customers more luxury with new touring models, but does not anticipate going toe-to-toe with Mercedes-Benz or BMW.

By the end of this year, Subaru will be introducing a new hybrid model, although we don't yet know on which model it will be based. What we do seem to know is that the car will get its power from a nickel metal hydride battery rather than a more modern lithium-ion pack for the sake of simplicity. Finally, Lin mentioned a new product being brought into the sports car segment, but while the article takes this as a hint toward a possible BRZ Turbo, it could also be a reference to the next generation of the WRX and WRX STI.

Articlea Source : Autoblog