Verbatum from AutoExpress
“After perfecting the design of its distinctive flat-four petrol engine, Subaru has admitted it’s looking at the world’s first flat-four diesel for a passenger car. “We have working prototype units,” an insider told Auto Express. But there’s no guarantee the engine will be built. “Subaru must make a business case for introducing a diesel, and currently we don’t think sales would be high enough to justify the development costs,” said our source.”
Posted by petergun at September 15, 2003 05:17 PMSubaru fan and also diesel fan if only one day it could be true. pray to the Fugi Heavy Industry Gods
Posted by: muzz at September 18, 2003 08:03 AMSubaru fan and also diesel fan if only one day it could be true. pray to the Fugi Heavy Industry Gods
Posted by: muzz at September 18, 2003 08:03 AMSubaru has the optimum specifications if you value your life (I appreciate handling as part of safety) and cannot afford a car that costs 1/2 of a house. Subaru should build their version diesel to compete with the common rail design. It is very popular in Europe and diesel market penetration will increase as the entire world is being turned upside down over oil money and power. Fuji Heavy Industries has a tradition of design excellence and I hope they will now demonstrate some leadership. To not advance the technology in the Subaru is to prepare the ground for the merger with GM.
Posted by: Alan at September 20, 2003 07:41 AMIf by some miracle the product managers at Subaru are reading this: Build it and I'll buy it!!!!! I owned a Legacy wagon. Great car, too heavy, and I couldn't live with the mileage. I'm driving a Jetta TDI, which is a great car, saddled with the niggly things that are part and parcel of VW ownership. As much as I'd like Subaru reliability and handling, and as much as I'd love a Baja, I've got to have the MPG. DO IT, SUBARU!
Posted by: Don at October 25, 2003 12:20 AMI drive a 1995 legacy wagon all wheel drive. I'd buy a Turbo Diesel if one was offered. I have had an Isuzu Diesel pickup for years & I love Diesels. Diesel's dont have thousands of super expensive electronic parts to go bad.
A turbo Diesel Hybrid Sub. Thatcar would have everything a lot of people would love and we could run biodiesel. At least build a Turbo Diesel.
Posted by: john at December 10, 2003 02:21 AMThe only reason I did not buy a subaru was that fuel consumption was almost twice that of the Jetta TDI...which is what I bought and love! I just wish sub had a TDI engine, and a single colour car option in all their models. I absolutley hat the two tones!
Posted by: VW JETTA TDI NUT at December 12, 2003 01:55 PMI have been driving a VW Passat 1.9 diesel TDI. 130Hp and 310NM and 50mpg even when pushed. The car has a superb power plant with the torque to die for from a 1.9 engine (original and unchipped) At the time of purchase I was smitten by the Impreza estate. An impressive package too; capable of towing its very own fuel tanker to compensate for lack of mpg.
I am now looking for a replacement car and again considering a subaru (Legacy Outback). Where is the 2.5 diesel 250Hp and 450NM of torque and the flat four exhaust note... Please SUBARU think Diesel think market share!
Why would Subaru & FHI spend the money it would take to put that motor into production if they couldn't ensure sales of 25,000 plus units a year. The cost of the dies and the time it would take to modify their equipment would cost MILLIONS. It takes around 155 dies to build a car, around 50 of which are used for the motor. Each one has a cost of around $1,000,000 to design and produce. When I posted this message there were 8 others posted. If you guys want 3,125 units each we can begin to consider your request.
Posted by: bill hurt at February 20, 2004 06:50 PMHere's another wanting a Subaru diesel. I love those cars and currently thinking a fourth one but will most likely settle for a VW something or other. I really do want the improved mileage and the torque I experience with my diesel truck.
Posted by: Jim Wallace at March 18, 2004 01:07 PMOk wow guys this looks good I read over most of your statements. I agree Subaru should make a 2.5 Turbo diesel; they should also incorporate some type of hybrid tech, into the vehicle with either electric motors or hydraulic pressure (like the new Ford super duties)
What we should all do is start a Petition, and get 50,000 signatures (emails) (faxes) I could build a website to handle it. We just need to know the name of the correct person to send it to at Subaru.
I do know that there are at the very least 50,000 people whom would sign this petition requesting them to build a powerful turbo diesel. Furthermore we should request that they allow the use of 100% ASTM certified biodiesel without voiding the warrantee. This way they would surly surpass sales of VW TDI’s in America, which should make the heads at Subaru Happy !
Let’s form a plan and get this underway. I started a similar thing at the Ford Enthusiasts forum, for a diesel in the F150 !
Posted by: Thatcher Michelsen at March 23, 2004 12:18 PMI agree, a flat compact turbo diesel that would take biodiesel would be excellent. A small one that would get the best mileage would be my choice. Has anybody ever put 2 Subaru engines together to make a flat 8?
Posted by: Doug at March 25, 2004 04:14 AMShould FHI build a TDI Impreza WRX that's at least as good as my MY03 WRX, and runs on Biodiesel, I'd definately buy it, if it was legal in Australia.
Posted by: Lady Michelle Bhaal at April 19, 2004 02:29 AMThe European market is primed and waiting for a diesel Subaru. The Outback, Forester and Legacy estate if combined with a strong diesel would offer a phenominal marketing package. Though there are a percentage of drivers in America who prefer a diesel, combine this with an almost total preference for diesel vehicles in the estate and SUV range from Europe and Australia. Subaru could create a vehicle that could compete with a heavy punch on the world market.What are they waiting for?
Posted by: Richard at April 20, 2004 04:13 AM