Little Rex gets sporty

The high-performance STi is expected to have a 2.5-litre four-cylinder mated to a six-speed manual gearbox, Si-Drive, quad exhausts, bigger wheels with pumped out mudguards and bigger high-performance Brembo brakes.

It will also wear a more discreet rear wing at the top of the rear hatch, compared to the big 'air' wing shown on the WRC rally car at the recent Australian International Motor Show. The other highlight of the Subaru stand at the show will see the company finally unveil full details of its new turbodiesel engine.

The engine is aimed at European markets initially, where diesels outsell petrol-engined cars in many markets.

Although Subaru Australia is yet to confirm whether Australia will get the engine, carsguide understands the world's first horizontally opposed diesel, or 'boxer' engine, should arrive in Libertys and Outbacks here late 2008. The 2.0-litre engine develops 110kW and 350Nm and follows Subaru's horizontally opposed principle used for its petrol 2.0-litre and 2.5-litre fours.

The power is the same as the 2.0-litre normally aspirated petrol engine but the torque is all the talk.

The 350Nm comes in low in the rev range but Subaru is yet to provide a breakdown of the engine's specifics. What is known is that the diesel's CO2 emissions level is 150g/km. The new engine was developed in-house by Fuji Heavy Industries and its boxer configuration ensures good balance, low noise levels and a low centre of gravity for the car.

A low-maintenance timing chain has been added to ensure longevity.

Subaru Europe executive vice-president Mat Nagato says the new turbodiesel engine will make its production debut in Japan early next year. Subaru Australia spokesman David Rowley says the company would love to add the turbodiesel to the line-up here, which is the third largest after Japan and the US.

“However, at this stage the company is concentrating on Europe,” Rowley says. Diesel accounts for more than 50 per cent of European sales for most carmakers and Subaru is keen to see it appear in its Impreza and Liberty models there.

The seven-seat Exiga concept is also on its Tokyo stand. The Exiga equates to a high-performance people mover with a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine and five-speed auto transmission. It has a large glass roof.

Subaru also has its take on the future. The G4e is a 'future electric-vehicle concept' and powered by next-generation lithium-ion batteries.

The company is claiming it will travel 200km between charges. With the diesel arriving and the new Impreza bedding down, Subaru's next major event will be the unveiling of the Forester replacement. Carsguide understands from sources it will be revealed in Japan at Christmas.