Where we stand: August, 2011
Internationally renowned for its boxer engine which became a hallmark of the Volkswagen Beetle and the Porsche 911, Japanese carmaker Subaru has now made the engine a hallmark of all of its own vehicles while also offering turbocharged versions of their passenger cars.
The automobile manufacturing division of Fuji Heavy Industries, Subaru has implemented a number of advanced policies that have boosted its environmental record while also taking tentative steps towards electrification.
Subaru today
Subaru was one of the first automakers to introduce partial zero emissions vehicles (PZEV) in the USA. Unlike many car makers which have limited the introduction of PZEVs to states that have adopted Californian emission standards, Subaru has introduced certified versions of the Legacy, Outback and Forester models across the country with all vehicles meeting the super-ultra-low vehicle exhaust emission standard.
Back in 2006, the company announced the introduction of the Subaru Stella Plug-in Electric Vehicle, which features a lithium-ion battery pack. It has a short range of 56miles, but actually costs significantly more than the Mitsubishi i-MiEV despite Japanese government incentives. The production version has a more powerful traction motor than the original prototype and achieves 47kW and 150Nm. It qualifies for a rebate of up to US$14,100 with deliveries beginning in July, 2009 (see article).
At the North American International Auto Show in January, 2010, the company also announced the gull-wing Hybrid Tourer concept (see article) which was scheduled to be launched in 2012. Among its features is a 2.0litre horizontally opposed direct fuel injection engine that improves fuel efficiency while reducing emissions too. It has been designed to improve engine responsiveness and environmental friendliness with the electric motors powered by lithium-ion batteries.
Its environmental efforts have stretched far beyond simply focusing on the exhaust emissions of its automobiles. For example, Subaru has implemented a number of advanced policies such as recycling and educating their employees. The Subaru plant in Lafayette, Indiana, was the first auto assembly plant to achieve zero landfill status; while the company has also developed a recycling plant for the end-of-life of its vehicles with most modern products using aluminium throughout.
Greenest models on sale:
The following are the greenest models of all new Subaru cars available now in the UK:
Subaru Impreza – Greenest Model: 1.5 RC with combined fuel consumption of 29.1mpg and CO2 emissions of 176g/km.
Subaru WRX STI – Greenest Model: 2.5 WRX STI with combined fuel consumption of 20.0mpg and CO2 emissions of 243g/km.
Subaru Cosworth – Greenest Model: Cosworth Impreza STI CS400 with combined fuel consumption of 20.5mpg and CO2 emissions of 243g/km.
Subaru Forester – Greenest Model: 2.0X with combined fuel consumption of 30.1mpg and CO2 emissions of 173g/km.
Subaru Legacy – Greenest Model: 2.0i ES NAV with combined fuel consumption of 26.2mpg and CO2 emissions of 187g/km.
Subaru Outback – Greenest Model: 2.0D S with combined fuel consumption of 36.7mpg and CO2 emissions of 167g/km.
Subaru tomorrow:
Subaru has outlined its mid-term goals to increase global sales by 37 per cent by 2016 and green cars are very much at the heart of its efforts. Among them will be the introduction of a hybrid car by 2013, which is expected to make use of the 2.0litre horizontally opposed four cylinder engine that was unveiled in the Hybrid Tourer Concept.
In addition, Subaru is currently testing two electric vehicles:
- Subaru G4e: Unveiled in 2007 at the Tokyo Motor Show, the G4e has a range of 200miles and can be fully charged in around eight hours; while a quick charge to up to 80 per cent of capacity can be achieved in just 15minutes. The G4e makes use of a new, next-generation lithium-ion battery that allows the battery to store two or three times more lithium-ions than conventional batteries.
- Subaru R1e: An experimental, two-door, two-seat battery electric vehicle that is currently undergoing limited production for select industrial customers in Japan. It too employs lithium-ion batteries that can be recharged to 80 per cent in just 15minutes or 100 per cent in eight hours. It has a range of 50miles and a top speed of 62mph; with battery life of at least 10 years.
