The first ever petrol-electric Subaru Impreza has been revealed in the form of the Subaru Impreza Sport Hybrid.
The Japanese market model is the second hybrid for Subaru, following in the tread marks of the XV Hybrid. It uses the same drivetrain as that car, pairing a 2.0-litre four-cylinder boxer engine with an electric motor and high-voltage battery bank.
According to the Japanese brand the Impreza Sport Hybrid offers “superb driveability”, and as is the way with the vast majority of Subaru models, drive is sent to all four wheels, with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) automatic the standard gearbox in this spec.
The claimed fuel consumption for the Impreza Sport Hybrid in Japan – which uses a different fuel use test cycle to other markets – is 4.9 litres per 100 kilometres: that’s 1.9L/100km less than the Australian rating for the current CVT Impreza (6.8L).
There are some styling changes for the Impreza Sport Hybrid, including a body kit, roof-mount spoiler, LED daytime running lights, LED tail-lights with blue accents, and 17-inch alloy wheels. There are a few interior changes, too, such as metallic finishes on the dash and “Ultrasuede” seat trim on the top-spec model.
The Subaru Impreza Sport Hybrid is designed specifically for the Japanese market, built by Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI).
Subaru Australia national corporate affairs manager David Rowley told CarAdvice that while the model won’t be sold here, “as with so much FHI product, we’re always interested”.
On the topic of hybrids, Rowley said “there’s currently no definite timeline or plan for our market”.
Click the Photos tab above for more images of the Subaru Impreza Sport Hybrid.
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