[CouchPotato]

can someone explain to me why the overseas Crosstrek with the turbo diesel only produces like 3 more hp over stock crosstrek but a butt load more tourque? anytime i see a turbo'ed car it seems like it makes way more HP... ???

i dont know much about car mechanics...

 

[Twist2Stop]

Guess they were just trying to make it about equal to the gasser. Extra torque is just the by-product of a turbo.

 

[sticksandstones]

Guess they were just trying to make it about equal to the gasser. Extra torque is just the by-product of a turbo.

why do a turbo if they just want to make it equal to the normal version? they sell the non-aspirated and turbo version over there, so they must have a reason for offering it.

 

[Twist2Stop]

Cause it's diesel.

 

[sticksandstones]

but then why turbo? im genuinely asking because I dont know much about car mechanics

 

[ClubCrosstrek]

Regardless of whether torque was a happy mistake or their intention all along, every review I have read has said that the 100+ extra ft/lb's of torque is amazing. A blast to drive and a huge difference over the N/A engine.

 

[AWDfreak]

I said it once and I'll say it again.

...diesel engines have more torque output than their gasoline engine counterparts thanks to the longer stroke and the high energy content of diesel fuel

The longer-stroke of the engine may be the primary reason why there is less horsepower, as it reduces the rate at which the engine does work. However, the long stroke of diesel engines typically also aids in the engine's ability to generate more torque.

The turbocharger is there, as far as I know, to improve the efficiency and the horsepower. A turbocharged-equivalent gasoline engine may generate more horsepower with comparable tuning, but with less peak torque output than the turbo diesel.


If you can't quite understand the above post, a thorough reading of the concepts of power and torque must be fully understood. Otherwise, the above post may simply look like a bunch of jargon. Read and review the below articles for further clarifications


Here are two Wikipedia articles you can use. Do note that wiki articles are subject to change and modification by anyone, so relying on the sources cited will be more reliable than reading the article by itself.

Horsepower

Torque

 

[Thelosis]

but then why turbo? im genuinely asking because I dont know much about car mechanics

Because a non-turbo diesel is about as much fun as a stick in your eye.

 

[AWDfreak]

but then why turbo? im genuinely asking because I dont know much about car mechanics

Because a non-turbo diesel is about as much fun as a stick in your eye.

This. While diesel engines have great torque, a turbocharger is almost a necessity for any decent top-end acceleration (and they help with efficiency).

Driving a non-turbo diesel engine sucks, the difference between a non-turbo diesel and a turbo diesel is almost night and day.

 

[CouchPotato]

ahh, i see. thanks for the responses. i too have read only great things about the turbo diesel so i hope they bring it over to the states...or at least a turbo gas.

 

[Twist2Stop]

How long has Subaru been doing diesels?

 

[AWDfreak]

How long has Subaru been doing diesels?

Subaru hasn't been doing diesel engines for very long. Heck, supposedly, Subaru is the first manufacturer to implement the boxer-engine layout to a passenger production car in a diesel-engined form.

The Subaru EE engine (their turbo diesel boxer-4 engine layout) was revealed in 2007, so the turbo diesel engine has been exposed to the world public for at least 5 years.

 

[Twist2Stop]

I have noticed a lot of extraneous crap under the hood when companies try to go diesel for the first time.

 

[ClubCrosstrek]

I have noticed a lot of extraneous crap under the hood when companies try to go diesel for the first time.

Any idea why that is?

 

[AWDfreak]

I have noticed a lot of extraneous crap under the hood when companies try to go diesel for the first time.

Are you referring to the plastic covering? That's most likely excessive sound deadening. I don't think Subaru's BOXER Diesel resorted to that route, but it still does have the top-mount intercooler (TMIC) like the gasoline-powered turbocharged Subaru engines.

 

[Got One]

It is amazing the power that small diesel cars in Europe have. I have driven small Fiats in Italy that have incredible acceleration & of course they get fantastic mileage.

 

[contrail_25]

I was stationed in Germany the past three years and we saw a turbo-diesel Outback in the Sixt rental car lot, so we rented it just for the hell of it. Drove from Ramstein down to Füssen (where Neuschwanstein castle is) and with less than one tank of fuel. All that going around 100 mph the whole way.

It was a blast.

I really do hope Subaru brings the turbo-diesel option to the US market. I'd buy one in a heartbeat.

 

[ClubCrosstrek]

Isn't it something about them not being able to meet California's stricter emissions laws? If so, how do other manufacturers get away with it?

 

[CJBROWN]

Isn't it something about them not being able to meet California's stricter emissions laws? If so, how do other manufacturers get away with it?

ECU (computer controlled) direct injection and urea exhaust injection. Exhaust byproduct is then CO and water.

I doubt you'll see the diesel come over. So far Mercedes Benz is more than four years coming out with their small diesel for C-class and GLK. It's going to be a premium price point which negates some of the fuel economy savings. MB has vastly more resources than subaru and have been at the diesel game for a hundred years.

Would you pay $32K for a basic Crosstrek with a diesel motor? Fuel savings payback can run many years. I don't know about you but I trade off every 2-3 years. I get sick of driving them and want something new.

 

[ClubCrosstrek]

Isn't it something about them not being able to meet California's stricter emissions laws? If so, how do other manufacturers get away with it?

ECU (computer controlled) direct injection and urea exhaust injection. Exhaust byproduct is then CO and water.

I doubt you'll see the diesel come over. So far Mercedes Benz is more than four years coming out with their small diesel for C-class and GLK. It's going to be a premium price point which negates some of the fuel economy savings. MB has vastly more resources than subaru and have been at the diesel game for a hundred years.

Would you pay $32K for a basic Crosstrek with a diesel motor? Fuel savings payback can run many years. I don't know about you but I trade off every 2-3 years. I get sick of driving them and want something new.

Very valid point. I guess it's not so much the diesel I care about as it is the turbo.