Geneva motor show - Subaru

Diesel knockout?
The most significant exhibit at Subaru's stand in Geneva doesn't even have any wheels - it's Subaru's first diesel engine. Subaru hopes it will help it almost double its sales in Europe over the next couple of years.

The lack of a diesel engine has always affected Subaru's potential in Europe, especially in the compact executive market, where buyers traditionally prefers diesel power. Subaru has used BMW's 2.0 D unit as its benchmark for power and refinement in the development of its unique 'Boxer' diesel.

It will be introduced first into the Legacy and Outback early next year, before being introduced into the Forester and Impreza models over the following 12 months. Subaru believes that the diesel engine can push its sales to 100,000 cars a year by 2009, up from around 70,000 models it currently sells.

What is a 'Boxer'?
In a normal engine, the cylinders are arranged vertically and in a line. In a boxer engine, the cylinders lie flat and are paired opposite each other. This makes the engine more compact and also has a lower centre of gravity. This in turn can improve handling and lessen body roll.

What else?
There's a battery-powered electric car, called the R1. It has a range of 50 miles and, after an initial eight-hour charge, its high-tech lithium-ion battery can recharge to 80% of its capacity in just 15 minutes.

Top speed is 62mph and the battery should last at least 10 years or 124,000 miles.

The car has won environmental prizes in Japan but, as yet, there is no plan to sell it in Europe.