|
By
ALISTAIR KENNEDY in Tokyo
10 November 2011
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.
© Copyright
Marque Publishing Company
|
|
