2019 Subaru Forester Limited on 2040-cars

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Subaru PHEV possible next year, pure EV in 2021

Despite what its larger competitors are doing, Subaru has avoided the draw to create its own electric vehicle. Tighter emissions regulations around the globe, though, have the company reconsidering its options. The company is pouring a record amount of money into research and development, according to a report from Bloomberg, and that includes EV technology. Also, Subaru could introduce a plug-in hybrid as early as next year, and an all-electric vehicle by 2021. Subaru CEO Yasuyuki Yoshinaga tells Bloomberg that the company doesn't need a dedicated platform for battery-powered cars, and will likely put plugs into existing models. This way, the automaker doesn't have to partner with another company beyond finding a supplier for the motor and battery, and can extract the full value out of its current nameplates. A previous report suggests that Subaru would electrify the Outback or the Forester, but Yoshinaga doesn't confirm this in his interview with Bloomberg. Instead he uses a model that recently ditched its hybrid version in a hypothetical example: "If there's already an attractive Subaru model, for example the XV crossover, and if a customer in Beijing wants one but is only allowed to buy an electric vehicle, if there's no electric version then he can't buy it. Providing the choice of an EV means the customer can still desire the same Subaru." As for sourcing the battery, Yoshinaga says that a decision would have to come in about a year, and Panasonic and Samsung are possibilities. In addition to EVs, Subaru will use some of its $1.2 billion in funds set aside for R&D for the year ending in March, 2018 on driver assist technology, autonomous driving, and connected vehicles. Related Video:

2015 Subaru WRX STI photos hit the web early

Wing? Check. WR Blue? Yep. Gold wheels? Aw, yeah. Ladies and gentlemen, meet the 2015 Subaru WRX STI, which has leaked out ahead of its Detroit Auto Show debut, courtesy of Mexican website Terra Autos.
We don't have any firm details to go on, but as we reported earlier, the STI is expected to use a turbocharged, 2.5-liter boxer four producing something like 300 to 305 horsepower and 290 pound-feet of torque. (Note: The standard WRX uses a new, Forester-derived 2.0-liter engine.) Expect the usual host of STI fitments, including a more performance-oriented suspension tune and upgraded brakes, but don't expect a five-door variant - like the WRX, the STI will be a sedan-only affair.
Check out the leaked shots of the new STI in the gallery above, and stay tuned for all of the official details next week.

Subaru WRX STI S209 confirmed for Detroit Auto Show

Subaru teased us a week ago with the possibility that the STI S209 might come to America, and now the automaker has confirmed its debut at the Detroit Auto Show this January. Check out the S209 grille badge in the teaser photo above. The red trim around the edge is a nice accent to go along with the "S." Unfortunately, we don't have any further details on the new variant right now, so we'll have to wait a few more weeks to see what the STI folks have been up to. We hope the S209 will offer even more performance than the limited-edition Type RA. In the past, S20(X) series models packed more power, upgraded suspension and improved aero compared to the standard WRX STI. In the U.S., the current car's EJ25 turbo flat-four engine has been making roughly the same amount of power for a long time now, but in Japan, the S208 from last year made do with a newer 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder making more power than our 2.5-liter. It's hard to believe that Subaru will try and certify a new engine for U.S. use, so a further refined STI engine is probably coming our way. We'll find out what Subaru has in store for us on January 14 in Detroit. Until then, feel free to speculate to your heart's content. Related video: