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Subaru XV Hybrid And New Performance Concept Bound For New York

Subaru has confirmed it will reveal a hybrid-powered version of its XV crossover at next week's New York Auto Show, along with a mystery new performance concept. The carmaker is holding its cards close to the chest, with details on either

Drive Team

22:5520 March 2013

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Subaru XV Hybrid And New Performance Concept Bound For New York

Subaru has confirmed it will reveal a hybrid-powered version of its XV crossover at next week's New York Auto Show, along with a mystery new performance concept.

The carmaker is holding its cards close to the chest, with details on either car still to be revealed.

While the XV Crosstrek Hybrid represents a coming production model for the US market, fans will be looking to the performance concept for a preview of the next WRX sports car.

Subaru has shown a number of hybrid concepts in the past, but the XV hybrid will be its first production offering of the type.

This year's Geneva Motor Show saw Subaru unveil the high-riding Viziv concept, matching a diesel engine with a set of electric motors to create a new "independent rear motor-driven All-Wheel-Drive" system.

The carmaker has confirmed it will introduce the new system with future production models, although the coming XV Hybrid will utilise an unrelated system featuring the carmaker's existing Symmetrical All-Wheel-Drive technology.

Australia

Speaking with TMR today, Subaru Australia's David Rowley confirmed the XV Hybrid is a left-hand-drive product developed specifically for the US market.

There are currently no plans for an Australian launch.

New WRX To Show In New York?

As for the coming performance concept, we could be in for a first official glimpse of the next-generation WRX and WRX STI offerings.

The new sports models are expected to share their platform with the new Impreza range, and recent spy photos have revealed an Impreza-bodied mule with the customary bonnet intake and quad-exhaust system at the rear.

A turbocharged version of the FA 2.0 litre boxer engine found in the BRZ/Toyota 86 twins is expected, but with a Subaru-specific direct injection system (unlike BRZ/86’s Toyota system).

It is also possible however that Subaru will unveil another concept based on its BRZ sports coupe, just as Toyota recently did with its 86-based FT-86 Open convertible.

For now, we watch and wait.