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31/10/2011
By ALISTAIR KENNEDY in Tokyo
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The first thing Subaru wants to change when the second generation version XV arrives here in December is its name. The current model, which has only been on sale here since June 2010, is being sold as the Impreza XV – the new one will be called simply Subaru XV.
The other thing that will need to change is its market segment. Whereas the Impreza XV is currently classed as a hatchback, the XV has crossed over (hence the X in its name) and will be competing against vehicles such as the Nissan Dualis and Mitsubishi ASX in the Compact SUV segment. Although, such has been the steady growth in the size of the original small SUVs such as the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester, that a new classification, Sub-Compact SUV, is being mooted.
Prices and final specifications of the second-generation XV have yet to be released but Subaru Australia’s unwavering commitment to all-wheel drive effectively excludes it from competing, on price at least, against the 2WD variants its competitors have at the lower end of their price lists.
There’s something about the size and shape of the smaller SUVs that enable stylists to create interesting vehicles. The new Subaru XV certainly doesn’t disappoint in that regard, with a bolder frontal appearance highlighted by a new hexagonal grille and squarer rear. Add 220 mm of ground clearance (up by a substantial 75 mm) and XV is no longer a hatchback trying to look like an SUV, but one that’s the real deal.
Although it’s not noticeable from a distance we also liked the new textured finish to the body-protection cladding.
With XV likely to be targeting a younger buyer than the more conservative Subaru Outback and Forester, there are some eye-catching colour options, none more so than the Tangerine Pearl shown here. Likewise the aggressive wheel design which is quite a break from Subaru’s normal conservatism and likely to divide opinion – for what it’s worth we loved them.
Less adventurous is Subaru’s choice of names for the three XV model variants: 2.0i, 2.0i-L and 2.0i-S. Pity they couldn’t be more like Citroen who last week launched its new C4 Seduction! Only the French…
Standard features across the Subaru XV range are similar to those in the Impreza although the entry-level 2.0i comes with the colour screen Multi Function Display and reversing camera that is only fitted in the higher-specced Impreza models. All models also get front, side, curtain and driver’s knee airbags, roof rails, auto stop-start, Vehicle Dynamics Control, cruise control, paddle shifts for the CVT, automatic air conditioning, Bluetooth phone connectivity and audio streaming and USB/Aux sockets.
The XV 2.0i-L adds a powered sunroof (an option in the Impreza L and S), satellite navigation with voice activation, SMS voice-to-text, dual-zone air conditioning and steering wheel mounted controls, front fog lights and rear privacy glass; while the 2.0i-S also gets leather seats and trim, power driver seats, alloy pedals, Xenon headlamps and silver roof rails.
Like the fourth generation Impreza, the Subaru XV is powered by a 2.0-litre horizontally-opposed boxer engine that generates maximum power of 110 kW at 6000 rpm and 196 Nm of torque at 4200 revs. It also comes with the same transmission choice: six-speed manual (replacing the previous five-speed) and CVT (instead of the outgoing four-speed conventional automatic).
The improved fuel efficiency that we saw with the Impreza is carried over to the XV, down from 8.9 L/100 km in the outgoing manual model to 7.3 L/100 km; and from 8.8 L/100 km to 7.0 L/100km from the automatic to the new CVT. Impressive figures for an all-wheel drive SUV although again there is the proviso that these are Subaru’s unofficial measurements.
We were able to drive both versions of the XV at the Subaru proving ground in Japan during our recent visit and were impressed by the smoothness and refinement that they displayed.
The interior of the XV is light and spacious with a friendly soft-touch material on the dashboard and steering wheel. There’s good leg, head and shoulder room in all seats with excellent noise suppression promising comfortable travel.
The new Subaru XV marks the latest step in an evolutionary process that began with the Impreza Sportswagon, followed by the Impreza RV and the about to be superseded Impreza XV. All have been popular with the loyal Subaru buyers and there’s no reason to expect anything different when the XV arrives here.
Indeed, with the XV due here in late December, at least two months ahead of Impreza, it will be interesting to see how many intending hatchback buyers avoid the wait and switch to the alternative small SUV in Tangerine Pearl. |
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