Subaru Aust puts diesel on hold

Jack · Post by **Jack** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 3:57 pm

Don't hold your breath waiting for a diesel Subaru

Expected high demand for the new turbodiesel Subaru engine in Europe has effectively ruled it out of the Australian market this year.

The world's first common-rail, horizontally opposed turbodiesel has just arrived in Europe in the Liberty and Outback. In Europe diesel is cheaper and demand for diesel-powered cars is high.

In the UK, diesel Libertys and Outbacks are expected to account for about 80 per cent of sales.

The new Forester receives the engine in September and Impreza three months later.

Subaru Australia had initially hoped to get the diesel into the Forester when it's launched in March. Now this is unlikely, according to spokesman David Rowley.

However, the redesigned Outback and Liberty due next year are tipped to have the engine. The 2.0-litre TD Subbie engine develops 110kW at 3600 revs and 350Nm at 1800 revs.

Subaru set out to make the common-rail engine exceptionally smooth, quiet and refined.

It is similar in size to the 2.0-litre petrol engine.

Like its petrol cousins, the turbodiesel sits low in the engine bay, providing a low centre of gravity.

The company says the Liberty TD will hit 100km/h in 8.5 seconds and has a top of 202km/h. The Outback takes 8.8 seconds to reach 100km/h and has a fractionally slower top of 199km/h.

The engine is Subaru's first diesel developed in-house after more than 40-years expertise in boxer engine technology.

Compared with Subaru's 2.0-litre petrol engine, the 2.0-litre diesel has a 11mm longer stroke and 6mm smaller bore for a capacity of 1998cc versus 1994cc.

Thanks to a bore pitch shortened from 113mm to 98.4mm, the overall engine block length is only 353.5mm, compared with 414.8mm in the petrol engine. The block is made of an extremely rigid design, and all five main bearings in the alloy cylinder block use metal composite supports for strength and durability.

The diesel has liquid engine mounts, with the body benefiting from extra soundproofing. The five-speed manual gearbox has higher ratios to suit the diesel's stronger torque and lower engine speed.

The variable-vane turbocharger is mounted under the engine for low centre of gravity, and a fast-warm catalytic converter is also mounted under the engine.

The power-steering is electric, to improve fuel economy, yet is tuned for strong feel and response.

The front spring rates and front brakes have been beefed up to cope with the extra weight.

Even the airconditioning unit has been modified to provide hot air earlier in the engine's warm-up cycle.

Visually, the Liberty and Outback diesels share the same bonnet scoop as the turbocharged petrol models.

The Liberty TD will hit 100km/h IN 8.5 seconds and has a top of 202km/h.

source: http://carsguide.news.com.au/site/motor ... l_on_hold/

PeeJay · Post by **PeeJay** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 7:31 pm

If it's as good as it should be it will be interesting to hear what Mr Clarkson has to say about this one!

SUBYDAZZ · Post by **SUBYDAZZ** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 8:12 pm

Yeah, bring back the power steering from the XT6!

Ruperts Trooper · Post by **Ruperts Trooper** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 8:30 pm

The boxer diesel uses smaller cylinder bore spacing than the EJ, so is 60mm shorter but unlikely to grow beyond 2.0 litres. The initial diesel going into Legacy and Outback is 150bhp with a 200bhp version going into the Impreza WRX. Subaru designers have confirmed they're considering a flat six diesel.

Initial road tests have all been favourable although the electric steering lacks feel - Subaru should simply have copied GM's Astra and used electro-hydraulic power steering which retains feel but doesn't absorb so much power.

Chris_Rogers · Post by **Chris_Rogers** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 8:31 pm

sounds good. the steering is made by mitsi in most apps anyway. electric steering isn't that bad - its in most of the newer jap cars and in lots of the euro ones. my van has it and its not that bad.

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 9:03 pm

hmmm... sounds good. Might have to look into a euro half cut (dunno if these happen now, if not we'll have to make it happen

)

Bennie

Suby Wan Kenobi · Post by **Suby Wan Kenobi** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 9:13 pm

On paper the diesel sounds like a bloody good motor. As for looking for one in a half cut if demand in Europe is keeping then away from here if one should show up i doubt it would be cheap.

brumbyrunner · Post by **brumbyrunner** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 10:55 pm

Probably not but lets get one anyway.
Would be good to get a test motor from Japan. Like Subiworx used to get.

Thalass · Post by **Thalass** » Mon Feb 04, 2008 12:39 am

Interesting... but in the Impreza? A diesel rally car...?

I would like to see that. I suppose with modern diesels the "slow and noisy" thing doesn't apply so much.

Point · Post by **Point** » Mon Feb 04, 2008 1:13 am

what sort of motors do you think do so well in the dakar?? turbo diesels...

Ruperts Trooper · Post by **Ruperts Trooper** » Mon Feb 04, 2008 2:54 am

The Impreza WRX is the retail homologation version - I doubt the diesel will go into the works cars!

SUBYDAZZ · Post by **SUBYDAZZ** » Mon Feb 04, 2008 9:35 am

Subaru doesn't have a factory rally team anymore anyway do they?

Subafury · Post by **Subafury** » Mon Feb 04, 2008 11:20 am

interesting read up. cant wait to see how they perform in driver's opinions

Suby Wan Kenobi · Post by **Suby Wan Kenobi** » Mon Feb 04, 2008 6:53 pm

Subaru Australia pulled out of rally support.

Ruperts Trooper · Post by **Ruperts Trooper** » Mon Feb 04, 2008 8:01 pm

SUBYDAZZ wrote:Subaru doesn't have a factory rally team anymore anyway do they?

Whose cars do you think Petter Solberg and Chris Atkinson are driving on the Monte Carlo rally?

SUBYDAZZ · Post by **SUBYDAZZ** » Tue Feb 05, 2008 12:03 pm

OK, in the ARC then

Suby Wan Kenobi · Post by **Suby Wan Kenobi** » Tue Feb 05, 2008 2:15 pm

No in the ARC Subaru does not have a factory team.

Chris_Rogers · Post by **Chris_Rogers** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 6:30 pm

Thalass wrote:Interesting... but in the Impreza? A diesel rally car...?

I would like to see that. I suppose with modern diesels the "slow and noisy" thing doesn't apply so much.

true but apply that to the euro market where every second car is a deisel.
they dont need to rev to move, heaps of torque and that curve would be a LOT fatter with a decent sized turbo on it.