Subaru has officially joined the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) race. At the Los Angeles Auto Show later this month, the Japanese carmaker will debut the refreshed XV (Crosstrek in the US market) with a new powertrain.
But that doesn’t mean it has forgotten its roots. The hybrid system, which is called Subaru StarDrive Technology, still incorporates a 2.0-liter boxer engine, pairing it with a Lineartronic CVT and two electric motors. Power is channeled to all four wheels via the brand’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system.
Subaru says that its PHEV can manage a 772km range on gas and electric power. It can reach up to 105kph on electric power alone and is roughly a second faster to 100kph than the regular XV.
Exclusive to the PHEV variant is the Lagoon Blue Pearl paint. Standard features for the US-spec version include an 8-inch infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, push-button start, automatic climate control, and a tire-pressure monitoring system.
No word yet if Subaru plans to bring this version of the XV to our neck of the woods. Would you like to see this in a local dealership?