Subaru plans Geneva reveal for turbo-diesel

SUBARU'S first-ever turbo-diesel boxer engine will be unveiled at next month’s Geneva motor show.

Although Subaru is particularly coy about specific details of the engine, it is believed to be a 2.0-litre capacity flat-four, developing about 124kW/338Nm.

The engine is due to be launched in the European market in 2008 in the Liberty and Outback but at present there a no firm plans for an Australia introduction.

However, if the trend to diesel continues for off-roaders, the company may introduce it here.

The compact diesel has similar dimensions to Subaru's equivalent petrol engines. According to European reports, it has not been earmarked for the Tribeca off-roader.

Subaru claims the engine has a very rigid block with low noise and vibration levels, which does away with the need for a balancing shaft.

Left: Subaru's flat-four turbo-diesel. The company is said to have used the BMW 2.0-litre turbo-diesel as its benchmark.

However, Fuji Heavy Industries, which manufactures Subaru vehicles, has concentrated on refinement to make sure the turbo-diesel delivers the low-speed pulling power and high-speed responsiveness of an equivalent petrol engine.

Apart from the diesel, Subaru will also be displaying an R1e electric car, presently being road tested in daily use by the Tokyo Electric Power Co Ltd (TEPCO). FHI intends to commercialise the R1e as a short-distance commuter car based on the Subaru R1 mini car currently available on the Japanese market.

A TEPCO-developed high-speed charger that will reach 80 per cent charge in no more than 15 minutes will be also be showcased at the Swiss show.