Subaru to bring hybrid crossover to New York Auto Show

Subaru announced Wednesday it’s dipping its toe into the hybrid waters.

The company will bring a hybrid version of its funky XV Crosstrek crossover hatchback to the New York Auto Show on March 27. The automaker didn’t announce any specifics on the powertrain, but did say the hybrid would be in keeping with Subaru’s all-wheel-drive ethos (excluding the BR-Z sports car).

Subaru also said that the hybrid powertrain was engineered in-house, rather than relying on one sourced from another automaker. This will be the first product from Subaru to use a hybrid drivetrain.

The current XV Crosstrek, which hit the market last fall, has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 148 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. It’s available with a continuously variable transmission, which gives it 25 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway. The Hybrid variant will look to improve on these numbers.

In addition to the hybrid Crosstrek, Subaru cryptically said it will bring to the auto show “an all-new performance concept car.” No more is known about this model, but it’s believed the car will be a tease of the WRX, which is due later this year.

The WRX is the more performance-oriented version of the Impreza sedan and hatchback that was revised in 2011. The WRX slots between the base Impreza and the full-crazy STI version of the car.

Press days for the 2013 New York Auto Show run on March 27 and 28. Stay tuned to Highway 1 for full coverage of the event, including the world debut of vehicles such as the Toyota Highlander, Cadillac CTS, Jeep Cherokee and Range Rover Sport.

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