At the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show, Subaru president and CEO Ikuo Mori announced that the brand will launch its first hybrid vehicle in 2012. This all-new fuel-sipper will feature technology showcased in the Hybrid Tourer Concept, which boasts Subaru's Symmetrical all-wheel drive, Lineartronic CVT, and a 2.0-liter direct-injected flat-4 combined with a lithium-ion battery. Subaru said its hybrid will be a version of an existing model, e.g. Forester Hybrid or Outback Hybrid, and not a standalone model a la the Toyota Prius. The HTC wears a bold hexagonal front grille that hints at the brand’s corporate face of tomorrow, and the overall design theme represents Subaru's idea of what an activity vehicle will look like in the future. Further, the HTC's use of LED front lighting will likely find its way into future products, and the 2.0-liter engine -- Subaru's first example of a turbocharged DI power plant -- will no doubt make its way under the hoods of upcoming Impreza and Legacy models.
Thanks to: Motor Trend
Tokyo Show 2009 Highlights: Subaru Hybrid Tourer Concept
