Where my hybrid? Subaru Hybrid fans are losing patience with the company’s hybrid promises – Subaru Hybrid Tourer Concept.
If ever there was an automotive brand that embodied the spirit of hybrid cars – family oriented, outdoorsy, progressive, and urban – it would be Subaru. Moreover, the largest hybrid car maker, Toyota, owns 16 percent of Fuji Heavy Industries, the Subaru auto maker. Yet, loyal Subaru owners continue to wait in vain for the Japanese company, whose name translates to “unite,” to delivers on its promise to go hybrid.
In May 2009, Subaru has announced plans to introduce a gas electric hybrid car by 2012 – but this just concept. Some of Subaru fans responded with enthusiasm. “I want it. My 2002 Outback will be 10 years old by 2012. Now, I can look forward to the possibility of replacing my Subaru with a hybrid from Subaru. Woo!” wrote Family Guy. But some Subaru fans admonished Subaru, “Toe dipping in the hybrid pool is useless.” And others are losing patience with these promises, “We leased a 2005 outback, hoping they’d have a hybrid by the time the lease was up. Didn’t happen. Too bad. Bought a Prius now. They missed a window.”
A few years ago, the company unveiled a sporty two seat car, all wheel drive grand tourer that blends elements of a coupe, outback-hatchback sport utility – the Subaru B5 Turbo Parallel Hybrid concept car. The company has been testing in U.S. market its Subaru R1e all electric two seat city car, and want to launch the R1e derived Subaru Stella Plug-In in Japan. The tiny Stella has a top speed of 60 mph and driving range of about 50 miles – employs a 346 volt lithium ion battery pack, 9,2 kwh, and 47 kw motor. But this vehicle is too expensive, the car sells for $48,000 – minus Japanese government incentives of nearly $20,000. The company just producing about 170 units of the Stella Plug-In, as a small test runs. It seems Subaru continues to dip its toes and retreat.
Some hybrid fans harbored hope that Subaru hybrid heading to a US showroom ASAP – affordable and ultra safe gas electric hybrid. Instead, the company has announced plans to present the four seats Subaru Hybrid Tourer Concept, yet another hypothetical rad-cool vehicle with gull-wing doors, lithium ion batteries, and motor-generators in front and back to electrify the company’s signature all-wheel drive and direct fuel-injected Boxer engine.
Like the company’s previous concepts and hybrid announcements, the Subaru Hybrid Tourer Concept will stimulate the appetite of eco-conscious Subie fans. At the same time, it will leave many of them wondering if Subaru will ever deliver a super-efficient ultra-safe gas-electric hybrid.
Subaru Hybrid’s Video
Beside Subaru Hybrid, there are other articles by Johan Young you may interest in reading: BMW X5, Honda Hybrid Cars, GM Hybrid Cars, Global Warming Effect, and BMW City.
Source: HybridCars.com
