Subaru Eyeing Cleaner Diesel and Gas-Electric Hybrid Models for 2011

Subaru, famous for its horizontally opposed "boxer" engines, all-wheel-drive systems and furiously fast high-performance models, isn't noted for delivering great fuel economy in its cars and SUVs.

Now the company is hoping to fix that with a new clean-diesel engine and a hybrid drive system.

The Japanese automaker, owned by Fuji Heavy Industries, has a diesel version of its four-cylinder engine in use most of its models in Europe and in some Japanese models and has been testing U.S. customers' interest in diesels although the present engine won't meet federal emissions standards without expensive modifications.

Fuji Heavy's president, Ikuo Mori, told reporters in Japan earlier this week that Subaru now is developing a new diesel to meet tougher global emissions standards in 2011 and "hopes" to have a gas-electric hybrid vehicle in the market that same year.

He said Fuji would license hybrid technology from its largest shareholder, hybrid vehicle pioneer Toyota Motor Corp.

Subaru already has developed an all-electric drive system for its Stella minivan and will be introducing the electric Stella (right) in limited numbers for testing in Japan this summer.

Fuel-efficient diesel and gas-electric hybrid models would go a long way toward helping Subaru meet the Obama administration's national standard for reduced automotive greenhouse gas emissions and comply with accelerated federal fuel economy rules that call for automakers' U.S. retail fleets to average 33.5 mpg by 2016.

The company, as do all automakers, also faces increasingly tough European emissions standards.

John O'Dell, Senior Editor

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John O'Dell May 21, 2009, 9:52 AM

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Diesel, Emissions, Fuel Economy, Hybrid, Subaru

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