A Subaru Hybrid?
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A Subaru Hybrid?
Does anyone have any news on possible Subaru gas/electric hybrids in the future? I thought I heard a rumor a while back that Subaru was mulling over possible outback and impreza hybrids. Anyone have updated info about this?
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From: Phoenix, AZ
Car Info: Subaru Impreza WRX 2002
I'm not an automotive engineer, but I see a serious problem with the excess weight and drivetrain power loss that comes with an AWD car. They are going to have a tough time shaving weight off any Subaru to make up for the weight of the batteries (1,200 lbs in some cases!). It may end up like that hybrid Ford Escape, where it goes from 16 mpg to 22 mpg (they claim 30, but it has never tested at that mpg) instead of the more dramatic jump seen on the Honda and Toyota models.
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From: Phoenix, AZ
Car Info: Subaru Impreza WRX 2002
The idea of a 3,999lb car with a 90hp engine and a big electric motor doesn't thrill me, for some reason. Oh yeah, that's because I drive a performance car 
I've driven the Civic and Prius hybrids, and let me tell you, 8.9 seconds to 60 MPH is just as fun as it sounds. That technology is still in its infancy, and I hope Subaru waits until all the bugs are worked out and the batteries weigh no more than a full tank of gasoline before they water down a performance-oriented product line with an expensive, slow car. The SUV hybrids are slugs -- the Ford Escape has a whopping 155 hp with both the electric and gas motors going *at the same time* (which only happens when you TROMP on the gas); the Toyota hybrid SUV is essentially the same car. My favorite part is the little note on the Toyota Highlander Hybrid web site, at the bottom of the listing:
"Highlander Hybrid in 2WD or 4WD-i is not designed to be driven off road."
Heh! $33,000 SUV that can't be taken off-road!
I've driven the Civic and Prius hybrids, and let me tell you, 8.9 seconds to 60 MPH is just as fun as it sounds. That technology is still in its infancy, and I hope Subaru waits until all the bugs are worked out and the batteries weigh no more than a full tank of gasoline before they water down a performance-oriented product line with an expensive, slow car. The SUV hybrids are slugs -- the Ford Escape has a whopping 155 hp with both the electric and gas motors going *at the same time* (which only happens when you TROMP on the gas); the Toyota hybrid SUV is essentially the same car. My favorite part is the little note on the Toyota Highlander Hybrid web site, at the bottom of the listing:
"Highlander Hybrid in 2WD or 4WD-i is not designed to be driven off road."
Heh! $33,000 SUV that can't be taken off-road!
Last edited by meilers; Sep 26, 2005 at 10:13 PM.
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,023
From: Phoenix, AZ
Car Info: Subaru Impreza WRX 2002
Oh, and just to provide a capstone to this little discussion:
http://www.cnn.com/2005/AUTOS/09/23/...ves/index.html
http://www.cnn.com/2005/AUTOS/09/23/...ves/index.html
A hybrid Honda Accord costs about $3,800 more than the comparable non-hybrid version, including purchase, maintenance and insurance costs. Over five years, assuming 15,000 miles of driving per year, you'll make up that cost in gasoline money if the price of gas goes up immediately to $9.20 a gallon and averages that for the whole period.
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