Rumors: Industry Report—New Subaru Turbo Technology

A report on Motor Trend’s website detailed the plans for several upcoming Subaru models—including the new WRX, due out sometime in 2014—as well as some interesting new potential technology coming from the Japanese manufacturer.

According to sources, Subaru is working on a direct-injection turbocharged variant of the 2.0-liter four-cylinder boxer engine found in the new BRZ, as well as an electrically boosted turbocharger that could make its way under the hood of the new WRX. While specific details are scarce, it is speculated that Subaru’s system could utilize heat, exhaust gases, and an electrical system to improve engine efficiency and performance by eliminating turbo lag. Subaru has likely been at work on this project as far back as 2007 when the company filed for a patent on an electrically powered turbocharger. There are also whispers of mating this new technology to a smaller 1.6-liter version of the BRZ’s four-cylinder engine in the upcoming WRX.

Subaru isn’t the only car manufacturer to research electric turbochargers, fellow Japanese manufacturers Mazda, Toyota, and Nissan have all at least looked into the technology as well. BMW has also been working on an electric turbocharger; they filed a patent for a version of the system back in November 2011.