Why Subaru Could Axe 6-cylinder in New 3-Row SUV
It’s still two years away, but the new Subaru 3-Row Crossover gets closer with the plant expansion in Indiana underway. The new-generation 2017 Impreza is coming late this year and the new Subaru 3-Row crossover arrives in 2018. Both will be built at the plant in Indiana, and both will ride on Subaru’s new Global Platform. What about the new SUV’s engine?
What engine will power the new 7-seat SUV?
According to a source close to Subaru, the new Subaru 3-Row crossover will not be offered with a 6-cylinder powerplant. The 3-Row crossover will get the updated 2.0-liter turbocharged DIT (Direct Injection Turbo) Boxer gasoline four-cylinder engine. Subaru will likely axe the 3.6-liter six-cylinder engine used in the discontinued Tribeca, and go with the more fuel-efficient boxer four.
It won’t be anything like Tribeca
The 2014 Subaru Tribeca used the 3.6-liter 6-cylinder power plant that produced 256 horsepower. The new 2017 Subaru WRX 2.0-liter turbo engine produces 268 hp and gets 20/27 city/highway mpg. Tribeca had EPA estimated fuel mileage ratings of 16/21 city/highway mpg. Subaru will need to bump up those fuel mileage numbers considerably in the new 3-Row crossover that could be called Ascent 7. The new-generation boxer engines are coming.
The new-generation Subaru boxer engines
Subaru is going to upgrade all their boxer gasoline engines to direct injection starting with next year’s models. The technology will be standard in the next-generation boxer engine Subaru will roll out. Subaru will also add cylinder deactivation and lean combustion cycles in these engines by 2020.
Look for the new 2018 Subaru (Ascent 7) 3-Row crossover to have a new-generation 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder DIT engine. It has not been announced or confirmed by Subaru, but they will likely not offer the 3.6-liter six-cylinder engine in the new 7-seat SUV. Stay tuned.
Source: Subaru
Image source: Subaru Global
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