Filed under: Concept Cars, Hybrids/Alternative
Subaru B5-TPH debuts as first turbo hybrid
The Subaru booth was apparently hopping yesterday at the Tokyo Motor Show where the Japanese automaker showed off a
stable of concept and production vehicles, the most impressive of which is the B5-TPH. The idea of the concept is to
not only mix elements of a wagon and SUV, but also combine a turbocharged gas engine with an electric motor. Dubbed a
turbo parallel hybrid, the electric motor serves to nearly eliminate turbo lag by assisting the 2.0L Miller cycle
engine at low revs. The concept also features the standard Subie Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system and some fancy
technology called IVX-II that employs a pair of stereo cameras and a milliwave radar unit to scan and detect the
vehicle's oncoming environment. One also has to wonder, is this the face of the next Impreza?
Follow the link for more pics and a full
press release on the B5-TPH and other models Subaru has on display.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Brandon 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
I wonder who came up with the turbo idea.
"Hey Bob, whatcha think about adding a turbo to 'dat new hybrid we're makin'?"
"Wouldn't that mitigate the whole purpose of a hybrid; to save on gas?"
"Wha...what? What are you some kind of pussy? You make $80,000 a year, what are you whining about? Pussy."
"Oh fine, put a turbo on it, see if I care."
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Joseph Willemssen 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
Five pages of pics of it here:
http://autos.goo.ne.jp/motorshow/gallery/car/subaru/gallery1.html
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brandon 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
I wonder who came up with the turbo idea.
"Hey Bob, whatcha think about adding a turbo to 'dat new hybrid we're makin'?"
"Wouldn't that mitigate the whole purpose of a hybrid; to save on gas?"
"Well, I don't think so. Actually I think it would open us up to a new market, you know, people who would like a fast car but still try to save on gas and help the environment"
"Good point, excuse my stupidity"
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Ben 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
2 tone = puke
http://www.japanesecarfans.com/news/2050928.009/2050928.009.Mini2L.jpg
I rest my case.
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Sanfam 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
I feel I should point out that this is *not* a traditional engine underneath the hood. Miller cycle engines need forced induction to function at peak efficiency. We've seen them once or twice here in the states, previously as a Mazda Millenium with a supercharged miller cycle V6, I believe. For more information... http://auto.howstuffworks.com/question132.htm
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Dick 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
I HOPE that is the new Impreza FACE, but not the butt!
Love the red Legacy Wagon's Grill! What the new Audi Grill should have been!
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TruDat 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
Just me or are those BMW's new headlamps?
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Jeffrey 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
WRX power with double the MPG. It's called having your cake and eating it, too.
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Dux 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
WHY must gimmicky designs be so popular these days? Simple is beautiful people.
Oh yeah, the turbo hybrid idea's fine, although electric hybrids are just a fad anyways. Saab found significant gains in fuel economy using alight pressure turbo, and just judging from the current Twincharging system from VW, I'd say turbocharging does wonders for fuel economy (considering power extracted).
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