Subaru XV a stand-alone model

Subaru will introduce the jacked-up XV version of its forthcoming new Impreza as a stand-alone model to rival the Nissan Dualis and Volkswagen Tiguan.

According to Subaru Australia’s Managing Director, Nick Senior, the figures stack up in the XV’s favour against its key competitors. “On preliminary figures, our centre of gravity is 39mm lower than a Nissan Dualis and 22 mm lower than the Volkswagen Tiguan, and these are key competitors. Yet despite this the new Subaru XV has a ground clearance of 220 mm. That’s 32 mm more than the Dualis and 25 mm more than the Tiguan”.

Due here in January, the XV will utilise Subaru’s trademark all-wheel-drive. Also standard is seven airbags, 17-inch alloy wheels, and the same third-generation 2.0-litre FB horizontally opposed Boxer engine as regular Impreza variants, with a choice of a six-speed manual or Lineartronic continuously-variable transmission.

Expect pricing to mirror the previous Impreza XV, at $28-30K. Wheels will attend the international launch of the all-new Impreza range in late October, with details and drive impressions to follow.

Click here to read the full range review of the Subaru XV.

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