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Subaru announces prices for new XV crossover

Subaru announces prices for new XV crossover

By on 31/01/2012 in News

Subaru has announced pricing and specification levels for its new All-Wheel Drive crossover vehicle, the XV.  Priced from £21,295 for entry level 1.6i S models, the latest addition to the Japanese brand’s stable is set to firmly establish itself as one of the most capable and best-value-for-money compact crossovers currently available.

The five-star Euro NCAP-rated Subaru XV – officially certified as the safest vehicle in its class and which scores particularly highly for child occupant safety – combines style and functionality with generous levels of standard-fit equipment, making it more than a match for many of its established compact crossover rivals.

Every XV is equipped with two core Subaru technologies – Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and a Boxer engine – ensuring that this new vehicle feels both engaging and incredibly safe to drive, in all conditions.  Subaru is confident that the XV will thoroughly satisfy the needs of existing customers, while also attracting new consumers to the brand.

 

Three Euro V-compliant Boxer engines are offered with the new XV: 1.6 and 2.0-litre petrol, and 2.0-litre diesel.  The 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre petrol engines develop 114ps and 150ps respectively, while the 2.0-litre diesel produces 147ps and 350Nm.  The go-anywhere XV is available with a choice of either a five and six-speed manual or a six-speed CVT automatic (petrol only).

Reaching 60mph in 9.3 seconds, the 2.0 diesel XV – likely to be the best-selling variant in the UK – offers class-leading fuel economy of 50.4mpg on the combined cycle, while emitting 146g/km of CO2.  Subaru’s XV also features the highest ground clearance and lowest centre of gravity in class, making it a highly capable performer both on and off road.

Even entry-level S models feature a standard kit list to make many models from premium compact SUV manufacturers blush.  Buyers can expect to find ABS, traction control, Subaru Vehicle Dynamics Control (SVDC), front, side, curtain and knee airbags, 17-inch alloy wheels, daytime LED running lights and automatic air conditioning as standard.

SE models add cruise control, rear-view camera, Bluetooth functionality and USB/iPod connectivity.  Meanwhile, top-of-the-range SE Lux Premium models also come with a sunroof, Keyless Smart Entry, push-button start, leather seats and satellite navigation.  All 2.0-litre models are fitted with roof rails.

Petrol-powered XV models benefit from Subaru’s new fuel-saving Auto Start Stop System as standard, boosting fuel savings in congested traffic.  It was the aim of Subaru engineers to make the engine cut-out virtually unnoticeable to the driver, and they achieved this with a time lapse between stop and start of approximately 0.2 seconds, one of the fastest currently available.

Pricing for the new XV range starts at £21,295 for the 1.6i S models, and rises to £29,995 for the range-topping 2.0D SE Lux Premium. For more information about the XV or the rest of the Subaru line-up, visit Subaru online.

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Subaru BRZ unveiled at Tokyo Motor Show

Subaru BRZ unveiled at Tokyo Motor Show

By on 30/11/2011 in News

Subaru today unveiled the production version of its highly anticipated BRZ sports coupe. With 200PS and 151lb/ft maximum torque in a car weighing just 1,220kg, the BRZ has been designed for maximum – and accessible – driving enjoyment.

The result of a Subaru-led joint-engineering venture with Toyota, the BRZ delivers a sensational and engaging driving experience, thanks in large part to an engineering and development programme that focused on achieving the lowest possible centre of gravity.

Concept
The Subaru BRZ was designed and developed from the outset to deliver driving fun and exceptional handling, combined with reliability and safety.

Carefully conceived powertrain packaging allows the celebrated horizontally-opposed Boxer engine to be positioned lower than ever before.  This, in conjunction with its advanced lightweight chassis and use of cutting-edge lightweight materials, endows the BRZ with exceptional handling characteristics.

The low-slung, naturally aspirated engine allows for a low and wide stance: 1,300mm tall and 1,775mm wide.  However, the 2+2 sports car still offers ample luggage space, ensuring it is adept as a weekend touring companion and as an enthralling daily driver.

Exterior styling
The BRZ’s styling – instantly recognisable as a Subaru – conveys the car’s fun-to-drive attitude.

At the front, the low-slung engine facilitates a low, purposeful bonnet line, which in turn accentuates the bulging front wheel arches.  Signature design features – such as the six-star badge, distinctive headlights and hexagonal lower grille – give the BRZ a fresh, striking appearance.

The clean flanks of the BRZ are punctured by neat air vents either side, pierced by a chrome dart.  A visually striking diffuser dominates the lower edge of the BRZ’s tail, with twin exhaust pipes prominently penetrating on each side, representing a final flourish of stylish functionality that conveys the performance intentions of Subaru’s newest model.

Interior
The interior of the BRZ is designed to ensure that the driver enjoys the behind-the-wheel experience to the full.  The steering wheel is deliberately compact to aid rapid inputs and to ensure the driver can fully enjoy the BRZ’s lightning-quick responses.

The instrument binnacle features a tachometer with a digitally displayed speedometer at its centre, ensuring that the time required to view vital information is kept to an absolute minimum, and that time concentrating on the road is maximised.

The BRZ’s specially designed sports seats feature ergonomically optimised bolsters to hold the driver and passenger securely and comfortably.

Powertrain
Fully exploiting the best design features of the current-generation Boxer engine, the newly developed 2.0-litre powerplant is exclusive to the BRZ.  The joint development programme with Toyota Motor Corporation allowed Toyota’s ‘D-4S’ direct injection and port injection technology to be incorporated into the BRZ’s power unit, improving efficiency. The powerplant achieves a maximum output of 200PS and 151lb/ft torque.

The transmission was engineered for exceptional gearshift feel and response.  The six-speed manual features a short-stroke gear lever, which is optimised in rigidity, shift accuracy and weight.  The six-speed automatic transmission has a ‘Sports’ mode for immediate shift response.  Its ‘Manual’ mode allows the driver to use the steering wheel-mounted paddles and features a downshift ‘throttle blipping’ system to ensure the BRZ delivers maximum driver satisfaction.

Chassis and body
BRZ boasts a lightweight yet highly rigid body, developed to maximise the advantages of the car’s low centre of gravity.  The rigid and durable chassis structure employs the latest lightweight, high-tensile steel technology, and helps the car’s driving characteristics while also enhancing occupant safety.  The aluminium bonnet helps to minimise the BRZ’s weight, while the structure is also designed to maximise pedestrian protection.

The front suspension employs struts for optimum rigidity, while a double wishbone layout at the rear provides superb shock absorption and compliance.  The 215/45 R17 tyres are mounted on lightweight and highly rigid 17-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels.

All BRZ variants are equipped with electronic stability control to ensure that driving pleasure and safety are delivered hand-in-hand.

The Subaru BRZ is scheduled to go on sale in the UK in July 2012.

Technical Specifications  

Overall Length x Width x Height (mm) 4,240 x 1,775 x 1,300
Wheelbase (mm) 2,570
Kerb weight (kg) 1,220
Maximum output (PS) 200
Maximum torque (lb/ft) 151
Engine 2.0-litre Horizontally-Opposed Boxer DI engine
Transmission 6-speed manual or 6-speed auto
Drive train Rear-wheel drive
Suspension Front: strut / Rear: double wishbone
Tyre size 215/45R17

 

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Five star Euro NCAP rating for new Subaru XV

Five star Euro NCAP rating for new Subaru XV

By on 25/11/2011 in News

The new Subaru XV has been awarded the maximum five-star safety rating in the latest round of Euro NCAP (European New Car Assessment Programme) safety performance tests.

The latest crossover vehicle from the Japanese All-Wheel-Drive specialists scored particularly highly in the occupant protection category and was praised for its full complement of safety equipment.

Euro NCAP’s safety performance test – the industry standard across the continent and one of the most rigorous programmes in the world – has previously awarded the Subaru Impreza and Legacy/Outback with the five-star safety rating, but Subaru have further enhanced occupant safety in its latest model.

‘Whilst we naturally anticipated such a result for our fantastic new XV crossover, this further underpins the vehicle’s credentials as a ground breaking all-rounder, and one that will appeal to young families in particular with its inherent safety characteristics’, said Kenyon Neads, Marketing Director, Subaru (UK) Ltd.

The XV benefits from Subaru’s symmetrical All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) system, as well as the introduction of an advanced impact energy relay structure, ensuring the driver and passengers are well-protected in the event of a collision.  This modern design makes use of high-tensile steel to improve safety and reduce weight throughout the car.

Dual front and side airbags are also installed as standard, with driver’s knee, curtain and torso airbags ensuring the car scored maximum points for side protection.  VDC (Vehicle Dynamics Control – Subaru’s version of ESP), which provides greater stability through the use of sensors throughout the AWD system, is also provided as standard across the XV model range.

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