Subaru's plan for the next four years -- like its larger rivals -- is
to quickly launch vehicles that are more fuel efficient, according to Ward's Automotive.
The company plans to release four completely new vehicles over the next four years, said Toshio Masuda, the automaker's senior general manager of product planning.
The four do not include the 2012 Subaru Impreza, above, which is due on sale before the end of the year. High-powered WRX and STI models also are coming to the Impreza, Masuda said. The goal is for the top-of-the-line Impreza to get a Boxer engine rated at 300 horsepower.
Overall, Subaru wants to raise fuel economy by 30% for each of its subsequent models. The Impreza will be the most fuel-efficient all-wheel-drive car sold in the U.S. when it hits dealerships, achieving a 27 city/36 highway mpg rating. Subaru will reach the new fuel-economy targets with two new engines - a 2.0-liter and 2.5-liter boxer four-cylinder - that make their debuts in the 2012 Impreza and 2012 Forester, respectively. Also part of the package is a new continuously variable automatic transmission being used first on the 2012 Impreza, too.
While Masuda did not specify the four models, they are believed likely to include:
- The Subaru XV, a crossover variant of the Impreza that's expected to be coming to dealerships next year.
- A rear-wheel-drive-only sports coupe -- uncharacteristic of Subaru -- called the BRZ. The model is being co-developed with Toyota and also is expected to arrive in 2012.
- Subaru's first hybrid in 2013 as a 2014 model (according to Cars.com editor Mike Hanley).
- A likely redesign of the Forester, which has been on the market for three years now.
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