Subaru Prepping Hybrid Vehicle for New York Debut

Looking to keep up with rivals and complete a full line overhaul, Subaru is readying a hybrid powertrain for one of its vehicles, likely to be unveiled at the upcoming New York Auto Show. 

While details remain secret, Kenichi Yamamoto, director of product management and coordination at Subaru of America confirmed to The Detroit Bureau that parent company Fuji Heavy Industries is getting a hybrid model ready. According to Yamamoto, the Japanese market spurred this decision, as Honda, Toyota and Nissan all offer hybrid vehicles, which are constantly gaining market share.

SEE ALSO: Subaru Advanced Tourer Concept Previews Subie’s First Hybrid

The brand’s hybrid technology was previewed back in 2011 with the Advanced Tourer Concept (shown above), which was driven by a turbocharged direct-injection 4-cylinder boxer engine mated to an in-house hybrid drivetrain. The concept also had a version of Subaru’s trusted all-wheel drive setup, though in this case, the power was sent to the rear wheels via electric power.

What remains to be seen is which vehicle the hybrid setup will mate with first. The Advanced Tourer Concept was more wagon than anything else, suggesting that the Forester could be first in the lineup to receive the electric power treatment, although the Legacy is also rumored to be a front runner for the hybrid tech.

GALLERY: Subaru Advanced Tourer Concept

[Source: The Detroit Bureau]  

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