On the sidelines of the launch of the Subaru Impreza 2017, we learned that the next model that will be built on the new Subaru Global Platform architecture, developed by the Japanese manufacturer, will be the Crosstrek with conventional engine.
In addition, 2018 will mark the return of a hybrid version of the Crosstrek, but rechargeable this time, to allow Subaru to comply with the compliance rules in force in several markets with respect to the commercialization of motorized vehicles electric.
Toyota Hybrid Technology
As before, Subaru will use hybrid technology developed by Toyota, which will be paired with a Subaru engine, to drive the new Crosstrek PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) model. It should be noted that the commercialization of this model will probably be restricted to markets where regulation requires a manufacturer to offer electric vehicles and therefore its distribution will necessarily be restricted to places like California.
The Return of the Tribeca
We also learned that the Tribeca will make a comeback, allowing Subaru to re-enter the lucrative large SUV market after a long absence at the request of the North American dealers of the brand. The new Tribeca will be built, like all future Subaru models, on the basis of this new modular architecture. Subaru also introduced the concept vehicle VIZIV-7, presaging the second generation of the Tribeca, at the recent Los Angeles Auto Show. The Tribeca will be manufactured, as will the fifth-generation Impreza, at the American plant in Lafayette, Indiana.
In addition, the Subaru Global Platform will enable the Japanese carmaker to boom all the way by producing several types of vehicles using engines as diverse as conventional thermal engines, hybrid engines, rechargeable or not, battery powered electric motors, Even electric powered by a fuel cell, if any.
On the global automotive scene, Subaru is a small player who does not have the considerable research and development resources deployed by automotive giants like Toyota or the Volkswagen Group. Interestingly, Subaru has chosen to invest its more limited resources in developing a very versatile new architecture, much like Mazda did a few years ago with its SKYACTIV approach.