This had been long rumored, and it now appears to be true. Expect better fuel mileage and a higher torque capacity than what is available with the current Subie automatics.
I'm happy to hear about both these improvements. The main reason that the new Subaru diesel only comes with a manual is because they currently don't have an automatic that can handle the torque of that engine; and if they want to sell it here in great numbers, an automatic has to be part of the plan. So this is good news indeed.
This new CVT will first appear in the Legacy (and Outback), and then will trickle down into the Forester and Impreza lineups. Hope to see something at one of the upcoming auto shows.
Full story here at NASIOC.
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Finally the rumor becomes truth.
This probably explains why Subaru has kept the crummy 4-speed automatic in so many of their vehicles for so long.
Subaru has refined that 4-speed over the years. But yes, the CVT sounds good, and Chain type" sounds intriguing, perhaps similar to the Audi design that uses a special chain-type belt.
"Chain belt type"?
All modern CVTs are chain belts. Nissan, Toyota, every CVT on the market is a chain.
Rubber is old school.
Oddly enough I'm very happy with the 4EAT also. Dated it may be, but it shifts smoothly and always seems to pick the right gear.
I just hope they tune the CVT as intelligently. Nissan's is pretty good, but others aren't (Mitsubishi's for instance).