New York Auto Show: 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek Hybrid: Comments

[William Maley]

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By William Maley

Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com

March 28, 2013

Subaru's first production hybrid vehicle made its debut at the New York Auto Show today. The XV Crosstrek Hybrid follows in the footsteps of the XV Crosstrek that was shown last year at New York.

Subaru's hybrid system is made up of a the regular XV Crosstrek's 2.0L four-cylinder 148 horsepower engine and a 13.4 horsepower electric motor mated to a 13.5-kilowatt nickel-metal-hydride battery. Power is funneled through Subaru's Linetronic CVT to all four wheels. Sadly, fuel economy hasn't gone up by much. Subaru estimates that the XV Crosstrek Hybrid will get 28 City/34 Highway. The normal XV Crosstrek when equipped with the CVT gets 25 City/33 Highway.

Other mechanical changes for the XV Crosstrek Hybrid include a stop/start system, active grille shutter system, and a a revised air-conditioning system that uses a temperature and humidity sensor to help reduce draw on the engine.

Outside, the XV Crosstrek Hybrid gets a set specific wheels, unique Plasma Green Pearl paint color, and a set hybrid badges that differentiate the Hybrid from the normal XV Crosstrek. Inside, Subaru gets more sound dreading, a new gauge cluster, keyless start, and cool blue color scheme accented with silver trim. Cargo space is slightly smaller than the XV Crosstrek (50.2 cubic feet for the Hybrid vs. 51.9 cubic feet for the Crosstrek).

The 2014 XV Crosstrek arrives at your local Subaru dealer at the end of this year.

Source: Subaru

William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected]or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster.

Press Release is on Page 2

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March 28, 2013

SUBARU INTRODUCES ITS FIRST PRODUCTION HYBRID MODEL AT THE 2013 NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW

• Subaru XV Crosstrek Hybrid based on popular XV Crosstrek crossover

• Subaru XV Crosstrek Hybrid most fuel-efficient all-wheel-drive crossover in America.

• Subaru-engineered hybrid system uses 2.0-liter BOXER engine and integrates an electric motor into a continuously variable transmission

• Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive standard offers solid, all-terrain performance

• Same utility and versatility as the gasoline model

New York - Subaru of America, Inc. today unveiled the brand’s first-ever production hybrid vehicle, the Subaru XV Crosstrek Hybrid, at the 2013 New York International Auto Show at the Jacob K. Javits Center. Based on the popular XV Crosstrek crossover introduced for 2013, the 2014 XV Crosstrek Hybrid model arrives in Subaru dealerships fourth quarter of 2013. When the XV Crosstrek Hybrid goes on sale it will be the most fuel-efficient and lowest-emissions AWD hybrid crossover in America.

In developing its first-ever hybrid, Subaru chose one of its popular, go-anywhere crossover vehicle platforms. As a result, the new XV Crosstrek Hybrid offers all the capability and versatility of the gasoline XV Crosstrek. The added benefits of a hybrid powertrain, including higher fuel efficiency, broaden the vehicle’s appeal. Key to this approach is that the XV Crosstrek Hybrid shares the gasoline model’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and chassis capability. For example, the 8.7 inches of ground clearance is the same as for the gas model and is higher than for some dedicated SUVs, while providing a low step-in height.

With the XV Crosstrek Hybrid, Subaru re-engineered the chassis to handle the added weight of the battery system, improving handling, steering and ride. In addition to chassis changes, the XV Crosstrek Hybrid added extra sound insulation, a start/stop feature, revised HVAC, new gauge cluster, keyless start and numerous other changes.

The Subaru XV Crosstrek Hybrid combines a 2.0-liter Subaru BOXER engine with a 13.4-hp electric motor that’s integrated into the Lineartronic® Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). A 100v, 13.5kw nickel-metal hydride battery is located under a revised rear floor area, and the engine uses and integrated starter/generator for the automatic start/stop feature. The compact hybrid system weighs just 209 lbs. and places the electric motor just behind the transmission and in front of continuously variable transfer clutch. With the addition of all the new features, the XV Crosstrek Hybrid weighs approximately 300 lbs. more than the gasoline engine XV Crosstrek.

Under light acceleration, the Subaru-engineered hybrid system uses the electric motor for initial vehicle acceleration and then starts the gasoline engine once underway. The electric motor can also provide motor assist for acceleration in parallel with the gasoline engine, and an EV mode will operate the vehicle in certain low-speed situations.

Same Capability and Utility as Gas Model

Significantly, the 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek Hybrid builds upon the utility and versatility of the gas model, while also offering enhanced handling responses and quieter driving performance.

The Active Torque Split version of Symmetrical AWD provides the same operation and benefits as in the gasoline model. The system sends power to the four wheels all the time and adjusts the torque distribution in response to acceleration, cornering and road conditions.

Passenger cabin room in the new XV Crosstrek Hybrid is essentially the same as in the gas model (0.7 cu. ft. difference), while the hybrid’s maximum cargo room (rear seatbacks down) measures 50.2 cu. ft., vs. 51.9 in the gas model.

In addition to optimizing the 2.0-liter FB-series BOXER engine to reduce internal friction, Subaru applied a number of other efficiency-enhancing technologies to the XV Crosstrek Hybrid. An Auto Start/Stop system shuts down the gasoline engine when the vehicle is stopped. Brake regeneration works when the car is coasting or the driver has applied the brake, recapturing kinetic energy from the turning wheels to recharge the battery.

All-season tires are mounted on new aluminum alloy-wheels with an aerodynamic design. Exclusive to the North American market, a new Active Grille Shutter system helps reduce air resistance. The air conditioning system uses a temperature and humidity sensor to optimize operation for reduced draw on engine power.

Subaru retuned the platform’s suspension and revised the steering ratio to give the XV Crosstrek Hybrid sharper handling responses. Numerous enhancements that help to reduce noise include thicker floor sections, under-floor covers and additional sound insulation.

Sophisticated Appearance

In addition to the different wheels, exterior enhancements readily differentiate the Subaru XV Crosstrek Hybrid from the gasoline model. “HYBRID” badges appear at the front edges of the front doors and on the tailgate. A new Plasma Green Pearl exterior color, exclusive to the XV Crosstrek Hybrid, spotlights the vehicle’s environmental character.

Inside, the Subaru XV Crosstrek Hybrid features a clean, cool blue theme with silver trim to underscore the advanced hybrid engineering. The instrument cluster, exclusive to this model, uses gradations of the blue color scheme to provide a sense of depth.

The Color Multi-Function Display shows the hybrid system’s energy flow according to driving conditions. Using switching screens, the display was designed to combine driving operation information with entertainment content, and its screen can be easily viewed from any seat.

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[G. David Felt]

For some reason this auto just underwhelms me. It just leaves me blah and forgettable just like the annoying Prius's that go 10 below the speed limit in the far left lane.

This I can see selling to the tree huggers, but otherwise will be forgotten about.

[Drew Dowdell]

The CrossTrek is a good little car for the target market. It gives Pontiac Vibe/Toyota Matrix owners something to move up into without feeling out of place.

[G. David Felt]

I can see your point as it does fit that mode well, but then the Vibe/Matrix at least seems to stick in my mind more. Not sure why this just seems blah.

[ocnblu]

Subaru customers would have been much better served with a diesel version instead of a stupid hybrid.

[PurdueGuy]

why does the gallery link not show in the forum view, but does in the article view?

[G. David Felt]

Subaru customers would have been much better served with a diesel version instead of a stupid hybrid.

Agreed, a Diesel version or even a CNG version would have really set things on fire. I think either one would have been well received.