Subaru Uses Nickel-Metal Hydride On XV Crosstrek Hybrid

by Derek Kreindler

March 29th, 2013 2:05 PM

subaru uses nickel metal hydride on xv crosstrek hybrid

Subaru’s first hybrid car won’t use the lithium-ion batteries that are now commonplace in many current alternative powertrains. Instead, the XV Crosstrek Hybrid will use nickel-metal hydride units, which were used mainly in older hybrid systems. The 2.0L boxer 4-cylinder engine is mated to a 13.4 horsepower electric motor, but the added 300 lbs of weight means fuel economy is raised only slightly, at 28/34 mpg city/highway. Meanwhile, the EPA lists the standard car at 25/33 mpg with the CVT automatic.

#NewYork2013 #Subaru #SubaruXVCrosstrek

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6 of 22 comments

Turkina on Mar 29, 2013

This gives me a sad. They should just bring over start/stop from their overseas models and not make a hybrid with a near-useless advantage.

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Seabrjim on Mar 29, 2013

I have a 2012 Impreza wagon that routinely gets 36 to 37.5 at 55 and 33 at 70. Its a great car for the money, comfy seats good ergos and all. For a few inches I wouldn't even consider the hybrid. Kinda useless if you ask me.

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- Art Vandelay on Mar 29, 2013
  
  So this is a full on Hybrid that has efficiency gains right up there with the GM "Soft Hybrids" from back in the day. Put this in the "why bother" file.
  
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Mik101 on Mar 30, 2013

Based on the numbers alone I'd say someone licensed a little something from Honda.

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- AFX on Mar 30, 2013
  
  At a whopping 13.4 horesepower it's probably the starter motor from one of their motorcycles, or an electric window motor from a Fit. For that kind of a mileage gain you could probably do better by making a Yugo hybrid with a cordless drill driving the spedometer cable back through the transmission.
  
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Mad_science on Apr 01, 2013

Whenever I read about Nickle Metal Hydride batteries, I can't help but think about creepy, hyper-intelligent rats.

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