Subaru Impreza e-Boxer launched
Petrol-electric AWD Impreza to take fight to Toyota's dominance of plug-less hybridsLook out Toyota Corolla hybrid, there's a new fuel-miser on the block – and it's got all-wheel drive.
The Subaru Impreza e-Boxer has broken cover in Europe at the brand's 2020 Snow Drive Event in Finland, showing the facelifted hybrid in all its petrol-electric glory.
OK, so the facelifted 2020 Impreza isn't that different to look at, with mild visual changes to the headlights and tail-lights, along with new safety features such a low-mounted front camera to see into busy intersections and automatic reverse braking.
But the big news is the new Impreza e-Boxer model, which features the Japanese car-maker's new hybrid powertrain.
Sitting alongside the Forester and XV e-Boxer hybrid models, both of which will be launched in Australia in a matter of weeks, the Subaru Impreza hybrid is powered by the same 2.0-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine (110kW/188Nm) augmented by a small lithium-ion battery hooked up to an electric motor (12kW/65Nm).
Like Toyota's plug-less hybrid cars the Impreza e-Boxer won't be able to drive far on pure electricity, but along with a low-end torque boost aiding acceleration (and negating the 110kg of extra weight), the electric gubbins should see CO2 outputs and fuel consumption levels drop.
The Subaru XV e-Boxer is rated at 6.5L/100km, the Forester at 6.7L/100km, so expect the Impreza hybrid to be roughly in line with its brethren.
Drive is sent to all four wheels through a CVT or continuously variable transmission with six stepped gears that can be engaged with paddle shifters mounted behind the steering wheel.
The facelifted Subaru Impreza is due to arrive in Australia in the first half of 2020 but Subaru Australia is yet to confirm the e-Boxer variant. However a spokesperson for the brand told carsales there was "no timeline for e-Boxer Impreza" which suggests the intention is to bring it to Australia to take on the Corolla hybrid.
Given that Impreza sales fell off a cliff in 2019 – down by to 4518 annual sales from 9215 in 2018, a drop of roughly 50 per cent – Subaru Australia will be keen to see new metal on local shores.
And the e-Boxer could be a tech-leading green warrior for its halo model until the next WRX arrives in 2021.
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