Autoblog

2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek Hybrid finally adds gas-electric option to the brand [w/video]

Sebastian Blanco — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 17:31:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Hybrid, Crossover, Subaru

For a company that does a pretty great job of tying its vehicles to the environment - or, better said, to people who like to actually get out into the environment - Subaru hasn't exactly been a leader in green vehicle production. In fact, it's 2013 and the company is finally releasing its first-ever production hybrid, the XV Crosstrek Hybrid. Tom Doll, Subaru's executive vice president, admitted as much at the unveiling today at the New York Auto Show: "We at Subaru were not the first to market with a hybrid, but we sure made sure we did it right."

That may be, but for now the automaker doesn't want to tell us all the details of how right it is. We do know that the powertrain takes Subaru's 2.0-liter boxer engine and adds in a 13.4-horsepower electric motor and continuously variable transmission. All-wheel drive will be, of course, standard, and Subaru promises the XV Crosstrek Hybrid will offer the "same utility and versatility as the gasoline model," including 8.7 inches of ground clearance. The hybrid does weigh 300 pounds more, though, which required a re-engineered chassis.

The motor can move the lifted Impreza in all-electric mode up to 25 miles an hour (distance not specified). Subaru isn't talking precise fuel economy numbers, either, just that it will be the "most fuel-efficient all-wheel-drive crossover in America" and will unsurprisingly have start-stop functionality. We do hear, though, that the hybrid will get around 10-percent better fuel economy than the standard gas-only XV Crosstrek. The most efficient version of that car, the one with the CVT, gets 25 miles per gallon in the city, 33 highway and 28 combined. Whatever this hybrid XV Crosstrek gets, we expect Subaru'll sell a million in Portlandia. For more, scroll down to watch an official video and read the press release.

Continue reading 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek Hybrid finally adds gas-electric option to the brand [w/video]

2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek Hybrid finally adds gas-electric option to the brand [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Mar 2013 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Subaru to get more BRZ coupes to sell thanks to high demand

George Kennedy — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 14:28:00 EST

It's no shock to us that the Subaru BRZ is selling extremely well. The insanely fun drift-happy coupe, which was joint-developed with Toyota, has captured the affection of journalists and enthusiasts alike.

To that end, Subaru of America has requested - and is set to receive - 2,000 additional BRZs over the next four months. The aim is to meet demand that has been high enough to have kept the fun-to-drive coupes on dealer lots for very almost no time at all. According to Subaru of America COO Tom Doll, "We are selling all the BRZs we can get." He continued, "We have been sold out of the car since it was introduced."

Initially going on sale in April of this year, the BRZ has been built in Japan with 500 units a month coming to the US. Those arrivals have been outpaced by demand, and Subaru of America has sold 3,120 units through October. At this point, it is unclear if the boost in models allocated to the US will continue through next year.

Subaru of America has also requested more units of the XV Crosstrek. The high-riding Impreza derivative has attracted new buyers from outside Subaru, and Doll says he would like to see sales increase from 2,000 units to 2,500 units per month. Subaru sold 3,076 examples of the XV Crosstrek through October of this year.

Subaru to get more BRZ coupes to sell thanks to high demand originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 03 Dec 2012 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Subaru announces 2013 XV Crosstrek prices to start at $21,995*

George Kennedy — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 18:01:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Crossover, Subaru

Subaru has announced pricing for its new 2013 XV Crosstrek. The quasi-crossover starts at $21,995 for the Premium trim, while a Limited model carries an MSRP of $24,495 (*not including a destination charge of $795).

The XV Crosstrek is essentially a high-water Impreza five-door with a little extra cladding and ground clearance. Listed at 8.7 inches to be exact, the ground clearance is a healthy three inches greater than the standard Impreza.

The compact model will feature the same 2.0-liter Boxer engine as its pavement-bound brethren, generating 148 horsepower and 145 pound feet of torque. The XV effectively replaces the Subaru Impreza Outback, a model that was quietly discontinued when the fourth-generation Impreza showed up for 2012.

Subaru announces 2013 XV Crosstrek prices to start at $21,995* originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Aug 2012 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Automotive April Fools' joke roundup [w/video]

Zach Bowman — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 19:10:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Motorsports, Etc., Technology, BMW, Chevrolet, Honda, Mini, Subaru, Humor

It's that time of year again. April Fools' came and went over the weekend, and a handful of the world's automakers joined in on a little Spring time fun. From intelligent anti-theft devices and TSA-inspired driver aids to automated NASCAR racers and high-performance hybrids, this year's raft of pranks were as good as any we've seen in past years. With April 1 falling on a Sunday, we saw fewer wise-cracking creations than before, but that didn't spoil the fun, so we thought we'd recap them for your enjoyment.

Mini took the cake this year with the company's Cowley Caravan and Swindon Roof Top Tent. The automaker went through the trouble of working up a full press release, complete with 20 photos and translations into a wide range of languages. We'll admit to being a little disappointed when we discovered the add-ons were a clever rouse. We'll just have to scrap our plans for a Mini safari. For now.

Hit the jump to see more April foolishness.

Continue reading Automotive April Fools' joke roundup [w/video]

Automotive April Fools' joke roundup [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Apr 2012 19:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Subaru confirms debut of U.S. XV Crosstrek for NY

Zach Bowman — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 13:01:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Crossover, Subaru

Subaru has announced it will debut the 2013 XV Crosstrek at next month's New York Auto Show. While based on the company's Impreza platform, engineers worked in several tweaks to the body and chassis to imbue it with a bit more crossover utility. Additional ride height delivers 8.7 inches of ground clearance and a smattering of black plastic cladding helps the vehicle further stand out from its donor platform.

A 148-horsepower, 2.0-liter boxer four-cylinder engine provides power and should deliver up to 33 miles per gallon on the highway. That's not a stellar number for a vehicle this size, but as Subaru points out, it's good enough to help the XV Crosstrek nab the honor of being the most fuel-efficient all-wheel drive crossover on the market. Buyers may bolt the engine to either a five-speed manual transmission or CVT.

Inside, the rear seats can be folded completely flat for around 52.4 cubic feet of cargo area. With the seats up, rear passengers can look forward to around 35.4 inches of leg room. Look for the XV Crosstrek to hit dealers this fall. In the meantime, hit the jump to check out the full press release and keep an eye out for our New York Auto Show coverage starting April 4.

Continue reading Subaru confirms debut of U.S. XV Crosstrek for NY

Subaru confirms debut of U.S. XV Crosstrek for NY originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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