Subaru adds a Hybrid version to its XV and Forester ranges

Rob Fraser

4 years ago

The launch of Subaru All-Wheel Drive hybrid Forester and XV variants brings even greater customer choice in the brand’s best-selling model ranges.

With Forester and XV ranked first and second for Subaru sales in Australia, the added variety in the brand’s Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) range is anticipated to grow the models’ audience even further.

There was no opportunity to drive the hybrid at the press release, that comes in a few weeks, so here are all the details.

Subaru’s first steps in the hybrid arena form part of a long-term strategy that will produce a variety of next generation power plants and technologies in the coming years.

Subaru Australia Managing Director, Colin Christie, said: “Forester and XV are long-established sales successes in our range and we know there is pent-up demand for hybrid variants among one of the most loyal customer bases in the industry.

“We’re already achieving significant fleet successes with our hybrid variants, in an area where our engineering, safety and whole-of-life costs make a compelling story.

“Now, with the formal launch into showrooms across Australia, we can see small but important opportunities to enter a growing space, in which Subaru will have an increasing presence in the not too distant future, with a variety of increasingly sophisticated and efficient hybrid – and later electric – vehicles.”

Subaru has already achieved over 500 Forester and XV hybrid sales with fleet customers.

The innovative SUVs feature identical petrol-electric engines that add a new dimension and choice to Subaru’s range.

XV Hybrid offers over 14% improvement in fuel efficiency over equivalent petrol variants in the urban cycle and over 7% improvement in the combined cycle, while Forester offers improvement of over 19% in the urban cycle and over 9% in the combined cycle* (compared to 2.5-litre petrol variants).

*Fuel consumption figures based on testing in accordance with ADR81/02. ADR based fuel consumption figures are for comparative purposes only and may not reflect real world results due to variables such as driving conditions and driving style.

Subaru Forester and XV Hybrid Pricing

Forester Hybrid AWD launches priced from $39,990 Manufacturer’s List Price* (MLP), while XV Hybrid AWD, with an exclusive new colour option – Lagoon Blue Pearl – is priced from $35,580 MLP.

*MLP – Manufacturers List Price includes GST and LCT but excluding statutory charges, dealer costs and dealer delivery. See your dealer for RDAP. Does not include price of any options.

One XV Hybrid AWD variant is available and two Foresters: Hybrid L AWD and Hybrid S AWD.

As with the entire Subaru new vehicle range, all hybrid variants have a five-star rating for occupant safety from the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP).

Subaru Forester and XV Hybrid Engine

Both hybrid models feature e-Boxer power – a 2.0 litre horizontally opposed Boxer engine linked via Motor Assist to a high voltage lithium ion battery, offering fuel economy benefits, particularly in congested city driving.

The four cylinder 2.0 litre engine produces 110 Kilowatts of power at 6,000 rpm and 196 Newtonmetres of torque at 4,000 rpm and features the efficient intake/exhaust Active Valve Control System (AVCS).

The electric motor produces 12.3 kW of power and 66 Nm of torque, and is self-charging, via kinetic energy captured by regenerative braking and coasting.

The direct injection petrol engine, Motor Assist and battery combination produce smooth, linear and responsive acceleration.

The e-Boxer logic adjusts the power split between petrol and electric to match driving conditions.

It automatically changes between three modes:

Motor Assist EV driving
Motor Assist electric (EV) + petrol engine driving, and;
Petrol engine driving

From standstill or at low speed, the vehicle is powered by the electric motor only, for quiet, zero-emission driving.

Depending upon driving environment, vehicle and battery condition, it can operate in fully electric mode up to 40 km/h.

When driving in fully electric mode (both forward and reverse), the Pedestrian Alert system emits a sound, to alert people in close proximity. The system operates when the vehicle speed is 24 km/h or less.

At medium speeds, combined power from both the electric and petrol engine produce responsive, linear and more fuel efficient acceleration.

At high speed, the Boxer petrol engine exclusively powers the vehicle, while regenerative braking or coasting with foot off the accelerator, recharges the lithium ion battery.

Under certain driving conditions above 40 km/h, when decelerating or coasting and the battery is charging, the petrol engine can turn off, achieving fuel saving.

As soon as the accelerator is pressed, the engine will re-start.

Depending upon driving style, the e-Boxer hybrid system can offer improved fuel consumption particularly in urban, stop-go traffic.

It also eliminates the unnatural braking feel common to some electric-only vehicles.

The e-Boxer hybrid system uses kinetic energy by converting it into electricity, delivered to the battery located in the sub cargo floor, together with the drive motor inverter and DC/DC converter. All are installed in a high-strength frame, with sound dampening and moisture-repelling qualities.

The electric motor assist and battery pack are aligned longitudinally, with the motor located near the vehicle’s centre of gravity, while the battery and other components are above the rear axle, also contributing to low centre of gravity and optimising front/rear weight distribution.

An unobtrusive cooling system draws air from the cabin to help maintain the battery at operating temperature and to help ensure better longevity.

In Forester Hybrid S AWD, driver selectable SI-Drive – Subaru’s powertrain performance management system – allows the driver to tailor throttle characteristics by choosing between “Intelligent” and “Sport” modes, for flexible, convenient and enjoyable driving.

Subaru’s smooth and efficient Lineartronic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) is mated to the e-Boxer system for ultra-smooth power delivery and torque.

Subaru Forester and XV Hybrid X-Mode

Motor Assist enhances X-Mode off-road capability, through better low speed torque control.

X-Mode makes it easier for drivers to safely navigate bad roads, slippery surfaces and steep hills, with just one switch. X-Mode’s status is indicated visually on the Multi-Function Display (MFD) screen.

When X-Mode is engaged, at 40 km/h or less, status information is displayed on the MFD and instrument cluster, including Hill Descent Control and Vehicle Dynamics Control.

X-Mode centralizes control of the engine, All-Wheel Drive, brakes and other critical components to help ensure safe driving even on poor surfaces.

Hill Descent Control helps maintain a constant speed when the vehicle is travelling down hill.

All Subaru hybrids purchased by private buyers for private use offer a five year unlimited kilometre warranty, plus an eight-year 160,000 km lithium ion battery warranty.

SUBARU HYBRID MANUFACTURER’S LIST PRICING*

XV Hybrid AWD $35,580

Forester Hybrid L AWD $39,990

Forester Hybrid S AWD $45,990

*MLP – Manufacturers List Price includes GST and LCT but excluding statutory charges, dealer costs and dealer delivery. See your dealer for RDAP. Does not include price of any options.

XV HYBRID AWD MY20 – MODEL SPECIFICATIONS AT A GLANCE:

SAFETY

ABS anti-lock brakes with four-wheel discs and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)
Active Torque Vectoring
Auto dimming rear view mirror
Brake Assist
Child seat anchor points on back of rear seat; ISOFIX outer rear seats
Curtain airbags
Driver’s knee airbag
Dual front airbags
Dual side airbags
Dusk sensing auto-off headlights
EyeSight driver assist, featuring:

Pre-collision braking
Adaptive cruise control
Pre-collision throttle management
Lead vehicle start alert
Lane departure warning
Lane Keep Assist

Front LED fog lights
Front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters
Front height adjustable seatbelt anchors
Pedestrian alert system
Rain sensing front windscreen wipers
Rear door child lock
Rear seat reminder
Rear view camera
Ring-shaped reinforced passenger cabin
Seatbelt indicator lights
Side intrusion bars
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
Three-point A/ELR rear seatbelt
Tyre pressure monitoring system
Vehicle Dynamics Control
Vision Assist:

Blind spot monitoring
Lane change assist
High beam assist
Rear cross traffic alert
Reverse automatic braking

X-Mode

INTERIOR

5-inch infotainment display, Apple CarPlay™ and Google Android Auto™ compatible, digital radio (DAB+), six speaker audio, steering wheel controls
Automatic climate control air conditioning
Bottle holders in all doors + two cup holders in centre console & rear armrest
Cargo area light
Cargo hooks
Cargo security blind
Central locking – remote
Cruise control – steering wheel buttons
Driver’s footrest
Energy flow display
Height and reach adjustable steering column
Height adjustable driver’s seat
Immobiliser security system
Leather finish steering wheel and gear shift
Lineartronic® Continuously Variable Transmission with paddle shift
Map lights (2)
Power steering, folding mirrors and windows
Premium cloth trim – charcoal colour
Remote fuel lid release – tethered fuel cap
Seatback pocket (front passenger side)
Two remote central locking keys
Vanity mirrors
60/40 split-fold rear seat
12V/120W power jacks (two)

EXTERIOR

17-inch alloy wheels (17x7J, with a 225/60R17 99H tyre)
Colour-coded mirrors and door handles
Heated door mirrors
Rear privacy glass
Rear roof spoiler with LED brake light
Rear roof mounted shark fin radio antenna
Rear wiper
Roof rails – black

OTHER FEATURES

Electronic Throttle Control (ETC)
Subaru Global Platform
Five-year unlimited kilometre warranty
Eight-year/160,000 km warranty – Lithium-ion battery
2.0 litre DOHC direct injection horizontally opposed e-Boxer engine produces 110 Kilowatts of power at 6,000 rpm and 196 Newtonmetres of torque at 4,000 rpm
12-month/12,500 kilometres Capped Price Service schedule
Electric motor produces 12.3 kW and 66 Nm

XV HYBRID AWD ENGINE SPECIFICATIONS
Type Cylinders Displacement Bore x stroke Compression ratio Cam-train system Fuel system Maximum power Maximum torque Emissions Electric motor: Power Torque		Horizontally opposed, naturally aspirated Four 1,995 cc 84 x 90 12.5:1 DOHC with dual AVCS Direct Injection, Electronic Throttle Control 110 kW/6,000 rpm 196 Nm/4,000 rpm EURO 6 Permanent magnet AC synchronous motor 12.3 kW 66 Nm
TRANSMISSION – LINEARTRONIC CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE
First		3.533 (Manual mode)
Second		1.892 (M mode)
Third		1.474 (M mode)
Fourth		1.228 (M mode)
Fifth		1.024 (M mode)
Sixth		0.852 (M mode)
Seventh		0.682 (M mode)
Reverse		3.689
Final reduction		3.700
EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT
Overall length mm		4,465
Overall width mm		1,800
Overall height mm		1,595 (with roof rails)
Wheelbase mm		2,665
Track – front mm		1,550
Track – rear mm		1,555
Min. ground clearance mm		220
Kerb weight kg:		1,576
FUEL
Fuel consumption (L/100km) combined:		6.5
Carbondioxide (g/km) combined:		147
Fuel tank capacity		48 litres
Minimum fuel requirement:		91 RON
STEERING, BRAKES, TYRES & TOWING
Steering	Electric power assistance rack and pinion
Turning circle (metres)	10.8
Turning radius	5.4
Suspension: Front Rear	MacPherson-type struts, lower L-arms, coil springs, stabilizer bar Double wishbone, coil springs, stabilizer bar
Brakes (mm): Front Rear	Ventilated discs Ventilated discs
Tyres:	225/60R17 99H
Rim:	17-inch alloy x7J
Towing capacity (kg): Maximum towball download (kg):	With brakes: 1,270 Without brakes: 650 127

FORESTER HYBRID AWD MY20 – MODEL SPECIFICATIONS AT A GLANCE: