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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.

Subaru recalling 32K Imprezas for potential airbag fault

Following a preliminary evaluation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in April 2015, Subaru is recalling 32,400 examples of the 2012 Impreza sedan and hatchback to repair the Occupant Detection System. The affected vehicles have production dates between April 21, 2011, and February 16, 2012. However, the WRX and STI are excluded from this campaign because they use a different part. The Impreza's problem concerns the front passenger seat's Occupant Detection System. In these models, the part uses capacitance to determine if someone is present and activates the airbag. According to the documents submitted to NHTSA (as a PDF), if the person sitting there uses a device plugged into the accessory outlet or touches an electrically grounded part like the metal seat adjuster, the ODS recognizes an increase in capacitance. It can then deactivate the airbag. Obviously, this could be a hazard in a crash, but there would be a warning light showing the safety device as off. To solve the problem, dealers will install a modified Occupant Control Unit. The initial investigation was prompted after 26 complaints to NHTSA about the ODS not working properly. In 2012, Subaru also issued a technical service bulletin that attempted to repair the issue. Related Video: RECALL Subject : Front Passenger Air Bag may not Deploy Report Receipt Date: JUL 01, 2015 NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V419000 Component(s): AIR BAGS Potential Number of Units Affected: 32,400 All Products Associated with this Recall Vehicle Make Model Model Year(s) SUBARU IMPREZA 2012 Details Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc. SUMMARY: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2012 model year Subaru Impreza 4-Door and Station Wagon vehicles (except WRX/STI models) manufactured April 21, 2011, to February 16, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may deactivate if a front seat passenger operates a device that is plugged into the power outlet such as a music player or cell phone, or touches a metal part of the vehicle such as the forward/rearward seat adjuster lever. CONSEQUENCE: If the ODS deactivates, the front passenger air bag will be turned off and the front passenger air bag will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the seat occupant. REMEDY: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the Occupant Control Unit with a modified one, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule.

The not-Subaru crossover wagon | 2017 Volkswagen Alltrack First Drive

Funnily enough, in light of dieselgate, Volkswagen is one of the few brands (along with Volvo and Subaru) to preserve the notion that you don't need a fuel-sucking SUV to meet your life-carrying needs. And, yes, VW's history of addressing off-road desires with all-wheel-drive dates to the mid-1980s with the Quantum Syncro (a.k.a. Passat) and Golf Country – the latter, sadly, never came stateside. The latest offering toward this effort is the 2017 Volkswagen Alltrack. What's an Alltrack? It's a slightly lifted, cladded, and butched-out version of the Golf Sportwagen (yes, formerly known as a Jetta). Not to steal Alltrack's thunder, but starting in 2017 you can also get the standard Sportwagen with 4Motion AWD, which is basically the same running gear for less money. The Alltrack starts at $26,950; the 4Motion Sportwagen starts at $24,930, both with the dual-clutch automatic available at launch. Any discussion of tall wagons brings Subaru immediately to mind, both with the Outback and the Impreza-based Crosstrek. The Volkswagen Alltrack sits between the two in size at 180.2 inches long – 5 more than the Crosstrek and 9.4 inches shorter than the Outback. The 2017 Subaru Outback starts at $25,645, and VW's comparisons focus on the Outback, which is understandable given the similar starting price. A bare-bones Crosstrek starts at $22,245, but quickly gets into Golf price overlap. The Alltrack and the 4Motion Golf Sportwagen are superior daily drivers to the Subaru, whether you're doing an emergency lane change or just trying to merge onto the interstate. Meanwhile, the Crosstrek doesn't have the refinement of the VW. Can we fault Subaru though? It's set a sales record every year in a row since 2010 and is looking at about triple the sales volume of VW's Golf for 2016. So we'll stick to telling you what we think of the Alltrack and let the dealers fight for your dollars. First thing's first. Yes, you can have the Golf Sportwagen and even the Alltrack with a manual six-speed gearbox. The seven-speed DSG automatic is very good, but it's worth noting that any manual gearbox is a rarity these days, especially when we're not talking about a two-seat sports car. You will have to wait until early 2017 for that option, but it also saves you $1,100 off both models. Second, the Alltrack and 4Motion Sportwagens get identical engines. Whether manual or DSG, VW's EA888 turbocharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder is under the hood.