Subaru Dials Back Power In European-Spec Hot Hatch: “We Made It Too Extreme”
Subaru brought the Levorg GT hot hatch to Europe, Japan and Australia but now the Japanese automaker has to dial back power in the European-spec model because they aren’t selling enough of them. Subaru Corp just unveiled a new Levorg 5-Door hatchback model at the Geneva Motor Show and they are dropping the hotter 1.6-liter turbo trim because Europeans won’t buy the hot model.
Torbjorn Lillrud, development director for IM Group, the UK Subaru importer says, “We made a misstep with the Levorg and made it too extreme, too sporty. It just wasn’t right for our customers,” he told AutoCar recently at the show in Geneva.
Europeans aren’t buying it
The sporty Levorg GT models with the 1.6-liter horizontally-opposed direct injection turbo "DIT" engine produce 125kW (168 hp) and 250Nm (184 lb. ft torque). The Levorg 1.6 GT accelerates from 0-62 mph in 8.9 seconds and uses a firmer suspension for quicker response in the corners. But Europeans aren’t buying enough of the hot hatches. According to the report, Subaru only sold 90 Levorg GT models across all of Europe in January.
Subaru decided to ax the Levorg 1.6-liter turbo trim in favor of a milder 2.0-liter naturally aspirated (non-turbo) model producing less power (down 20-hp and 38 lb ft of torque). The tamer model will also get a more comfortable suspension. “The combination of that turbo engine and the firm suspension has been a real turn-off for customers,” said Lillrud.
Europe gets mild vs hot
Of course the milder 2020 Levorg 2.0 will come standard with Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system still making it the ideal sports tourer in all-weather conditions. Subaru said a new higher-quality interior, along with the re-tuned and comfort-oriented suspension and a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated Boxer engine with a “more relaxed power delivery” are the three key changes they made to the milder Levorg.
Maybe Subaru should ship the remaining Levorg GT 1.6-liter turbo models to the U.S. where they would be snatched up quickly by performance enthusiasts. Subaru fans in the U.S. have been asking for a hot hatch ever since Subaru dropped the WRX/STI 5-Door.
ALSO READ: Aussie Subaru Levorg Gets WRX Power
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Photo credit: Subaru UK
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