Filed under: Euro, Green, Hatchbacks, Subaru
Subaru may offer diesel version of WRX
Hot on the heels of news that Subaru will be showing off a 147-hp diesel boxer in the Legacy and Outback next month in Geneva, the Japanese automaker is rumored to be considering an oil-burner for its tuner favorite WRX. It appears Subaru may have a winner with its 2.0L turbo-diesel powerplant, too. During a test drive of the diesel Legacy, the UK's Autocar gushed that the sedan may sport the best diesel they've ever driven. Since Subaru is looking to improve its fleet-wide fuel economy, it makes sense that the engine would quickly make its rounds through the Subie lineup. The Forester seems like a logical target, and with 258 lb-ft and a compact footprint, the fuel-efficient powerplant would definitely work in the WRX.
Australia's Drive asked Subaru about a possible diesel WRX, and the company responded with the expected "we're looking into it". Of course they are. As fun and interesting as a diesel WRX sounds, the combo is likely the stuff of pixie dust and fairies of the dental kind for those of us living in the States. We almost never get the really interesting stuff here. That all could change, however, when the EU adopts emissions standards as strict as those in the US, making the transfer of diesel technology between the two as easy as pie.
[Source: Drive]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Mr. Oak 10:11AM (2/11/2008)
The sedan is so much nicer than the goofy hatch.
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calebe 10:41AM (2/11/2008)
Thats one ugly sedan
lvdave 10:15AM (2/11/2008)
I don't think they should call it a WRX though. Either just call it an Impreza diesel or make up a new name like DRX. I'd love to have this car, I just don't think diesel and WRX should go together.
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AlexP 10:26AM (2/11/2008)
If you dig Corollas.
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AlexP 10:28AM (2/11/2008)
Bloody broken reply system, that was directed to Mr. Oak.
The 'odd' factor is part of why Subbies are so awesome. Without it, they simply don't stand out.
John Johnson 10:33AM (2/11/2008)
Boxer diesel would sound like a Cummins.
Imagine a diesel WRC car :P.
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Josiah 10:38AM (2/11/2008)
Would love to rock the diesel WRX up here in the northeast. Bio-diesel, awd, thousands of upgrade parts = winner to me.
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YouFaceTheTick 11:03AM (2/11/2008)
Shrug, hatch is nice. The sedan just looks small. Having sat in both, I wouldn't opt for the sedan under any circumstances.
And yes, a diesel would be a great addition.
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Leaf 11:31AM (2/11/2008)
I have yet to hear or read anyone champion the new WRX over the old one. EVERYONE says the old one is better in all respects except the quality of the interior (new interior is marginally better).
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Louis Duran 11:38AM (2/11/2008)
"That all could change, however, when the EU adopts emissions standards as strict as those in the US, making the transfer of diesel technology between the two as easy as pie."
As strict as the US? Or as strict as California? The US diesel standard is actually pretty lax compared to the CARB standard.
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why not the LS2LS7? 12:25PM (2/11/2008)
I guess they mean strict as CARB, because US and Euro standards are pretty comparable right now.
Even CARB Diesel standards are pretty loose. A "clean Diesel" in CARB area pollutes 3.5x as much (in trace emissions) as a clean gas car (like a PZEV Focus or Accord). In fact they pollute so much that any large uptake in them would mean companies would have trouble meeting their fleet averages. Thus I really can't see them taking off in cheaper cars like Imprezas just yet.
I really wish Diesels would meet the same standards as gas cars, if they were even as clean as the average gas car in CARB I'd be pretty thrilled. Right now, you have to choose between putting out more CO2 or generating more smog, which isn't a happy choice either way.
Jason 11:50AM (2/11/2008)
Please make this Subaru! It's taken long enough for auto manufacturers to realize that there is more to a "sports" car than just shear speed (or quickness). For most people in the states, it's more about handling and response than all out power.
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nagmashot 12:14PM (2/11/2008)
147hp 2.0l = best diesel they have ever driven.. now I understand why UK completely lost their car industry.. they have absolutly no idea..
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DKB_SATX 4:19PM (2/11/2008)
Remember that horsepower is not a complete measurement of an automotive diesel's "feel." The torque and Noise, Vibration and Harshness are a big deal for diesels. In AutoCar's article, which you probably didn't bother to look for because "they have absolutly (sic) no idea," they write things like "This must be the quietest four-cylinder diesel family car around" and "At higher speeds it’s better still. At 148bhp the Legacy diesel is among the faster cars in this class and the power band is good."
If they ever bring it to the states, I'll look into it... but since they've discontinued the Legacy Wagon here I doubt I'll be buying. I don't want a gangly-legged crossover Outback leaning around turns all the time.
nagmashot 5:18AM (2/13/2008)
the torque can´t be impressive at 2.0-2.2l 380-440Nm are standart... flat 4 run smoother but diesel noise does not come from the mechanic it comes from the burning .. state of the art are currently 204hp out of 2.0l 4banger..147 is yesterday perfromance and clearly shows japanese lacks completely in deep diesel technology knowlege..
The new Honda 2.2 i-DTEC diesel comes with 150hp..wow a 10hp improvent over the old 2.2l... still 54hp short to the 2.0l from BMW
RMc 12:34PM (2/11/2008)
You're 100% correct. NOx is the real hurtle getting diesels to pass emission standards and here's a summary:
The LEV II standards that CARB (California) holds for NOx is currently 0.05 g/km through 2010.
European Tier 5 which is adopted in September 2009 is merely 0.18 g/km. (For diesels only, they are separate emission levels for petrol and diesel.) The Tier 6 levels which are to take effect Sept 2014 reduce NOx levels to 0.08 g/km which is still higher than the current CARB levels! The current Tier 4 level is .25 g/km.
The upcoming 2009 US federal Tier 2 emission standards use a manufacturer's fleet average of 0.07 g/km. This may seem as stringent as the CARB standards but it isn't too difficult considering that gasoline emissions are basically NOx free.
Autoblog should do some more research on their part before making such statements that aren't true.
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RMc 12:59PM (2/11/2008)
Louis, see my post below confirming your thoughts.
LS2/LS7: Diesels pollute more NOx but less carbon based emissions. It's a trade-off.
Example:
UK Civic 2.2L Diesel:
NOx: .141 g/km
CO2: 135 g/km
CO: .144 g/km
HC: None
UK Civic 1.8L Gasoline:
NOx: .006 g/km
CO2: 152 g/km
CO: .200 g/km
HC: .027 g/km
See, more carbons, less NOx out of a gasoline. I don't know enough to say which is worse, however.
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Kevin 1:00PM (2/11/2008)
A diesel WRX with say, 200 or 250hp (not too unreasonable, I don't *think* and 400ft/lbs+ of torque would look really good parked next to my STi...
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Eric Smith 2:41PM (2/11/2008)
Perhaps WRXd. Or WRX-D, or some variant. I like that, rather than scrapping the whole WRX name.
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I ROC 3:47PM (2/11/2008)
This is exactly what I have been looking for. A fun car that gets good gas mileage, and has some storage. Subaru, if you build this we will buy it.
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