Subaru will launch its first-ever plug-in hybrid later this year, with a little assistance from Toyota.
The 2019 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid will use Toyota tech to push Subaru into new realms of fuel efficiency, while minimizing the investment the smaller Japanese automaker needs to make in a new powertrain.
The new vehicle is named Crosstrek Hybrid despite actually being a plug-in hybrid. Chrysler did the same thing with its Pacifica Hybrid minivan, and it’s possible that the naming scheme will cause confusion in both cases.
Unlike conventional hybrids, plug-in hybrids can be charged from an external source, just like all-electric cars.
That means plug-in hybrids can have larger battery packs, which in turn allows them to drive for several miles on electric power alone something conventional hybrids can’t do.
On Friday, Subaru dished out preliminary details on the Crosstrek Hybrid. Subaru did not disclose range estimates in the announcement.
As previously rumored, Subaru will adopt the Toyota Hybrid System (THS) to work with the Crosstrek Hybrid’s four-cylinder engine and all-wheel-drive system.
Subaru said a new transmission will debut with the Crosstrek Hybrid as well.
Sure enough, Subaru said the 2019 Crosstrek Hybrid can be “driven on pure electric drive [for] local commuting.” However, the automaker didn’t quote range or efficiency figures. Most details are being kept quiet until closer to the Crosstrek Hybrid’s launch.
