Frankfurt 2011: Subaru XV (AKA: The Outback Sport)

[William Maley]

Subaru Launches New XV At Frankfurt Motor Show

• Subaru's new XV brings style and engineering excellence to compact crossover segment
  
• Final design stays true to concept study
  
• Interior focus on quality and spaciousness
  
• New generation Boxer petrol and diesel engines feature
  
• CVT and all new Auto Start-Stop system both available
  

Subaru Automobiles today announced the world premiere of the new Subaru XV (European specifications) at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show.

The launch of the XV takes Subaru into the compact crossover segment for the first time, where combining style but with functionality is key. In this highly competitive segment, the XV will offer something different, and will bring a new level of engineering excellence.

In the XV, Subaru has achieved its aim of providing a stylish and distinctive crossover with trademark Subaru driving dynamics, but combined with high level of functionality and fuel efficiency.

Packaging

The XV's interior provides:

• A spacious and roomy passenger compartment
  
• A cargo area that is both spacious and convenient to use
  
• The door opening dimensions which have been enlarged and a seating position which allows much easier ingress and egress
  
• Ample storage space for small objects provided at ideal locations
  
• Large Multi-Function Display (MFD) which is highly visible in the upper middle section of the instrument panel for comfortable driving
  

Exterior design

The XV is a new type of crossover design that combines a stylish, dynamic form with a high body and side cladding to enhance the sense of functionality associated with an SUV.

Equipped with a hexagonal grille and hawk eye headlights, these design features emphasise the unique identity of the newest Subaru cars, while the striking and innovatively designed alloy wheels and cut-away cladding give the XV its sporting appearance.

The corners of the front and rear bumpers were designed with special edges that enhance the aerodynamic performance of the vehicle and also contribute to better fuel efficiency.

Interior design

Subaru's designers worked hard on the XV's interior to bring out the best qualities of the chosen materials and to give passengers a feeling of quality as well as spaciousness. Specifically:

• An upmarket interior was created by balancing and combining the different tactile and emotional qualities of leather, metal, and cloth
  
• The Multi-Function Display is highly visible in the upper middle section of the instrument panel and provides the driver and passengers with all the necessary information necessary in a highly intuitive format. Higher specification models will get a large 4.3 inch full-colour screen equipped with advanced infotainment such as eco-driving display and vehicle information display
  

Engines and transmissions

The new, 3rd generation Subaru Boxer engine, introduced this year with a totally new design, is installed in 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre petrol models.Along with the usual merits that horizontally-opposed engines inherently possess, this engine has improved fuel efficiency and exhaust performance. Together with the adoption of the new Lineartronic (CVT), a newly developed "Auto Start System", the fuel efficiency was further improved.

A heavily revised version of Subaru's Boxer Diesel, which was specially developed for the European market, is also featured in the XV line-up.

Making use of the inherent advantages of Chain-driven CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) such as lightness, compactness, superior fuel efficiency and wide ratio coverage, Subaru successfully developed a new CVT for the XV for improved environmental friendliness and drivability.

Fuel efficiency will be further improved through Subaru's advanced new stop-start system which features a newly developed "change of mind control"* function to enable smooth restart within only 0.2 seconds of stopping.

Safety

A number of key features will take the XV to top of the class for safety.

• By integrating the partition windows into the front doors and positioning the door mirrors on the door panels, class-leading forward visibility was achieved, and blind spots reduced. A stylish profile with a more streamlined rear roof edge was designed without impairing the rear field of view
  
• In addition to SRS driver's/passenger's airbags, SRS side airbags and SRS curtain airbags, SRS driver's knee airbag are installed as standard in all models
  
• VDC (Vehicle Dynamics Control) is installed in all models as standard. Its 'intervention timing' has been optimised while a brake assist function is also incorporated into the VDC system
  
• Dimensions
  

Overall Length x Width x Height (mm): 4,450 x 1,780 x 1,570

Wheelbase (mm): 2,645

Track Front/Rear(mm): 1,525 /1,525

Minimum road clearance (at kerb weight)(mm): 220

Seating Capacity: 5

[thedriver]

"The launch of the XV takes Subaru into the compact crossover segment for the first time,"....

So, what was/is the Forrester then?

[ocnblu]

I really like this, and I hope Subaru USA gets to sell it here.

[Cory Wolfe]

It's just a renamed Outback Sport, essentially.

[Camino LS6]

Just another piece of generica.

[PurdueGuy]

Continues the shift started with the current gen - the Outback is no longer a wagon/sedan, but a CUV. It completely encroaches on the Forester, and I'm not a fan. I have seriously considered a mid-00's Outback or Legacy wagon, but frankly don't like the current gen at all. I'd just buy the Forester, which GETS BETTER FUEL ECONOMY. How silly.

[Robert Hall]

Continues the shift started with the current gen - the Outback is no longer a wagon/sedan, but a CUV. It completely encroaches on the Forester, and I'm not a fan. I have seriously considered a mid-00's Outback or Legacy wagon, but frankly don't like the current gen at all. I'd just buy the Forester, which GETS BETTER FUEL ECONOMY. How silly.

Doesn't look like a CUV...it's a 5dr hatchback like the Focus or Caliber, that's all. The Forester is a CUV..

[PurdueGuy]

Continues the shift started with the current gen - the Outback is no longer a wagon/sedan, but a CUV. It completely encroaches on the Forester, and I'm not a fan. I have seriously considered a mid-00's Outback or Legacy wagon, but frankly don't like the current gen at all. I'd just buy the Forester, which GETS BETTER FUEL ECONOMY. How silly.

Doesn't look like a CUV...it's a 5dr hatchback like the Focus or Caliber, that's all. The Forester is a CUV..

Unless they are shrinking the Outback for the next gen, it's a CUV.