The new Subaru XV crossover was just introduced by Motor Image in Taiwan. As the exclusive distributor of Subaru vehicles in 9 countries in Asia, Motor Image had invited the media from the respective countries to witness the launch.
The new Subaru XV is available in 2 variants – 2.0i and the more premium 2.0i-S. The same will be applicable to Malaysia when local assembly takes place later in the year, except features will differ slightly due to market and cost considerations.
The Subaru XV is practically an Impreza crossover built on the same new Subaru Global Platform which increases body and chassis rigidity by more than 70% over the outgoing model (not to say that the previous one was shoddy).
Standard in the XV is the signature Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive with X-Mode (which controls the engine, all-wheel drive system, brakes and other functions for optimal driving on challenging terrain). This feature is also found in the current XV sans the X-Mode, and is sufficient for most.
The new XV design is an evolution of the previous to incorporate the company’s Dynamic x Solid philosophy. Sleeker headlamps, a redesigned front grille, matte black cladding and new tail lamps round out the new appearance. Ground clearance is the same high 220 mm but the XV now has a wider and lower stance.
Inside, the cabin has been made more spacious, with more shoulder room in front and more legroom behind. The dashboard and steering wheel is taken from the Impreza, which isn’t surprising, but the XV now uses an electronic parking brake instead. Cargo space has improved by 5 liters to 385 liters but our CKD version should get a little less with the use of a full-size spare instead of the tire repair kit in the Taiwan version.
Other features found in the premium variant (Taiwan) are automatic LED headlamps, headlamp washers, powered wing mirrors with LED turn signal, sunroof, aluminum pedals, 8″ touchscreen infotainment system, multi-function display, auto dimming rear view mirror, dual zone air conditioning, cruise control, powered driver’s seat, rain sensing wipers, blind spot detection, lane change assist, high beam assist, rear cross traffic alert and steering responsive headlamps.
Common features between the 2 variants (in Taiwan) are roof rails, rear fog lamp, rear spoiler, Bluetooth hands-free system, voice recognition command, hill holder, hill start assist, one-touch turn signal, paddle shifters, PIN code access, reverse camera, smart entry and push button start. We’ll have to wait and see which features are kept in our versions.
“The All-New Subaru XV is a unique crossover vehicle that combines practicality with aesthetics and performance. It is a bold car suited for drivers to ‘unpark’ their lives and go on activities that they love,” said Mr Glenn Tan, Executive Director, Tan Chong International Ltd. “We are thrilled to launch this new vehicle built on the new Subaru Global Platform, with improved interior and exterior styling. With this, we are confident that the all-new Subaru XV will exceed expectations and deliver a driving experience that is second to none.”
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Keyword: New Subaru XV Launched In Taiwan; CKD In 4Q2017