Subaru developing diesel ahead of hybrids

Carupdate has been an advocate of diesels for its short five and a bit months of existence and we don’t mind taking the odd swipe at petrol-electric hybrids particularly one with a Prius badge. To us the diesel offers similar fuel efficiency, less weight, less complexity, lower purchase price, no issue with expired batteries and a better driving experience. Seems simple really…

While Subaru have most probably not been listening to us or even know who we are they have been listening to ‘voices’ and they have been saying build a diesel.

“There are many opinions. But currently, the voices calling for diesels are stronger than the voices for hybrids,” Ikuo Mori, president of Subaru parent company Fuji Heavy Industries, told Automotive News Europe.

Subaru is currently working with Toyota to develop hybrid technology but it is not expecting to have a production hybrid ready until at least 2010 as it waits for lithium-ion battery technology to be perfected. Instead, Subaru has chosen to concentrate on the development of diesel power with the aim being to have diesel powered Subaru’s in Europe early in 2008 – after their debut at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show.

Automotive News report that Subaru have no immediate plans to offer diesel powered cars to the US market, possibly until as late as 2012. Diesel is definitely a step in the right direction for Subaru, lets just hope they see fit to include diesels in their Australian line-up in the near future.

Steane

[Source: Leftlanenews]