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Subaru executive casts doubt on manual transmission future

Some disconcerting news for Subaru fans has come out from the Geneva Motor Show. Subaru's U.K. managing director told Auto Express that he doesn't see the manual transmission as having a future at the automaker. He explained that the company is really focusing on safety, and in turn Subaru's Eyesight technology. As a refresher, that system uses stereo cameras to enable features such as automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist and adaptive cruise control. The feature isn't currently available on manual-equipped Subarus, and the executive said he wasn't sure if the system was compatible. And with Subaru's push for safety and Eyesight, he said that continuing to offer manual cars without the system could undermine that push. This sounds dire at first, but we shouldn't panic yet. First, this is just an executive for Subaru's U.K. branch, not for the global company or the U.S., and car companies don't have the same offerings everywhere. For example, the Crosstrek is only offered with a CVT in Europe, but here in America – land of the free, home of the clutch – Subaru offers a six-speed manual. So, while it is possible that certain regions will have reduced or no manual options, that doesn't mean it would be across the board. View 22 Photos And even if Subaru decided it would phase out manual transmissions on most of its mainline cars, as it did with the Legacy, we can't imagine the company abandoning the transmission for its performance cars. WRX and STI fans would riot in the streets, possibly on their way to buy a next-generation Focus RS or Golf R, and the BRZ, a car built around the idea of driver engagement, wouldn't survive in a market with the Miata. Subaru may want to improve safety, but they're still a for-profit company, and sales of its performance cars would surely tank without a manual option. One more reason not to fret is that, while Subaru doesn't currently have a manual-compatible suite of semi-autonomous safety features, that doesn't mean it's impossible. As it so happens, Mazda offers low-speed automatic emergency braking as a standard feature on all its models in every trim. Mazda also has higher-speed emergency braking, lane keep assist and adaptive cruise control as options, and they are compatible with manual transmission cars. You can order up a top trim Mazda3 Grand Touring with a manual transmission right now. Keeping all this in mind, we think it's highly unlikely that Subaru will abandon the manual transmission.

2021 Subaru Crosstrek is finally getting a more powerful engine

Subaru will address one of the Crosstrek's biggest shortcomings by making a 2.5-liter flat-four engine available in time for the 2021 model year. It will power the range-topping Limited trim and a new Sport-badged model. You asked, and the Japanese company is listening. Tom Doll, the CEO of Subaru's American division, told industry trade journal Automotive News that many customers have complained about the 152-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that has powered the current-generation Crosstrek since its launch. Put bluntly: It's slow.  "One of the things that our customers were telling us about the Crosstrek was it was maybe a little underpowered with the 2.0-liter engine. Well, the 2.5-liter engine will solve that problem," he announced at a dealer meeting. While he stopped short of divulging technical details, Subaru has a pair of 2.5-liter flat-fours to choose from in its parts bin. The first is a turbocharged unit rated at 310 horsepower and 290 pound-feet of torque when it's thumping under the WRX STI's hood. Don't get your hopes up — that's not what's going in the Crosstrek, sadly. Nothing is official, but it's reasonable to assume Doll was referring to the naturally-aspirated four available in the Forester, the Outback, and the Legacy. It delivers 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque in all three applications. Subaru will usher the 2.5-liter into the Crosstrek range by expanding it with a new trim level called Sport. The range-topping Limited will also be offered with the bigger engine. Pricing information hasn't been announced yet, and neither has availability, but the peppier Crosstrek will likely arrive later in 2020 as a 2021 model. The Crosstrek is a jacked-up Impreza with a more rugged design, so it stands to reason the 2.5-liter fits in both models. There's no word yet on whether the equally underpowered Impreza will receive it. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.    

Upcoming Subaru WRX STI rumored to get hybrid drivetrain

Subaru might electrify the next-gen WRX STI. According to a rumor from Motoring in Australia citing an unnamed Subie insider, the brand's engineers reportedly have two hybrid systems under development for the future model. The move would allow the STI to boost power output and improve fuel economy and lower emissions to keep up with US regulations. According to Motoring's speculation, the next STI might use an electric motor at the back to power the rear axle and an upgraded version of the FA20 turbocharged 2.0-liter at the front. A new dual-clutch six-speed gearbox would help the power get to the road, and the total system could allegedly offer around 322 horsepower versus 305 hp from the current US model. This rumor also claims the next-gen STI would continue as a sedan when it arrives in 2017. Like previous iterations, the four-door will share underpinnings with the Impreza, which will mean a move to Subaru's new modular platform. The standard hybrid might only be the beginning of electrification for the future STI. Motoring's source also claims the company has a plug-in hybrid variant under development, but it might not debut until the 2018 Tokyo Motor Show. A hybrid STI could be exciting, but until there are solid facts, this rumor joins a long history of powertrain speculation about the high-performance Subaru. In 2008 and 2010, reports emerged about a diesel version, but it never appeared. We once even heard that the current-gen WRX might boast an electric turbo.