Subaru continues bringing brilliant cars to market, and Geneva brings us the All-New XV.

• Built on Subaru’s new Global Platform - which significantly enhances refinement, safety, ride comfort, and agility.
• A newly-developed 2.0-litre Direct Injection Boxer engine and Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive are standard on all models.
• Equipped with X-MODE which enhances off road ability of Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, offering increased SUV capability.
• XV’s rugged and sporty styling is influenced by Subaru’s DYNAMIC x SOLID design philosophy.
• Standard EyeSight driver assist technology delivers outstanding preventative safety.

Subaru has unveiled the all-new XV at the 2017 Geneva International Motor Show. XV is a crossover which combines a compact body with SUV capability based on Subaru’s distinctive Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system and rugged yet sporty design, offering versatility in both urban areas and the countryside.

For the first re-design since launch in 2012, XV will be built on Subaru’s completely revamped Subaru Global Platform architecture, significantly enhancing the body and chassis rigidity and strength.

The new Subaru XV also offers world-class collision safety and hazard avoidance performance, as well as more responsive handling and ride comfort while enhancing the Subaru XV’s unique design and off road capability. 

The model is the first strategic offering in Europe under the company’s Prominence 2020 mid-term management vision which delivers “enjoyment and peace of mind” for customers.

Key Features of All-New Subaru XV

XV’s unique design is filled with rugged and sporty character, incorporating the Subaru design philosophy DYNAMIC x SOLID. Functional enhancements have also been included with a high-quality interior and exterior finish.

Exterior

• The Wide & Low stance provides a sporty impression and adds to the Subaru family look, from the hexagonal grille to the hawk-eye headlights. The design flows from the grille through to the rear, providing a united scheme. The grille design and matte black cladding on the bumper elude to XV’s rugged character and SUV functionality.
• The character line runs from front wheel arch to rear shoulder and rises energetically; adding dynamism to the side profile. The extended wheel arches suggest the intent and capability provided by Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and is finished off with matte black cladding.
• The Wide & Low stance applied to the front design carries over to the rear combination lights. The shoulder silhouette with black roof spoiler are juxtaposed against the rugged matte black cladding on the rear bumper, playing up to XV’s versatile character.
• The new model also combines the Subaru performance essentials of superior aerodynamics and visibility with advanced styling.
• Newly designed alloy wheels embody the Subaru XV’s sporty, casual, and rugged character.
• New exterior colours “Cool Grey Khaki” and “Sunshine Orange” have been added, which contrast with the matte black cladding adding to XV’s active and functional image.

Interior

• The body-hugging seats have been revised for improved quality and feature grey trim to enhance XV’s character.
• In the centre of the instrument panel is an 8.0-inch touchscreen display for the infotainment system, with smartphone connectivity.
• Detailed orange stitching on the instrument panel complements the cabin’s quality.
• In addition to enhanced interior design, signature Subaru attributes have been further strengthened; excellent all-round visibility, spacious cabin, and cargo room.

Enhanced dynamic driving performance paired with off road capability

All-new XV has been improved in several areas to achieve an enhanced dynamic feel. Steering and pedal feedback, vehicle response, noise and vibration have been refined to achieve a positive driver experience. XV’s impressive off road capability has also been enhanced with X-MODE.

Body & Chassis

• The new platform dramatically increases rigidity throughout the body and chassis (70-100% increase over present models). Substantial improvements to the suspension system are incorporated, and help achieve a lower centre of gravity allowing precise steering control. Increased precision allows for superior straight line stability and cornering performance whilst maintaining 220mm ground clearance.
• Torsional rigidity has been improved by 70% over present models by optimising frame structure and joints. This distributes resonance and distortion throughout the body, reducing vibrations.
• Suspension mounts are more rigid, improving absorption without twisting the chassis and providing a smooth and comfortable drive. Body roll of the vehicle has been reduced by 50% compared to present models.
• The steering gear ratio has been modified from 14:1 to 13:1 compared to the previous model, offering superior drivability.
• Active Torque Vectoring enhances turning and steering performance.
• Electronic parking brake has been added for more convenience.

All-Wheel Drive control

• In addition to Subaru’s unique Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system, new XV is equipped with X-MODE. X-MODE is designed to increase drivability by optimising integrated control of the engine, All-Wheel Drive system and brakes to provide additional control when tyres slip and lose traction on a slippery road surface, including when descending hills.

Engine

• 80% of the parts on the FB series 2.0-litre Direct Injection Boxer engine have been revamped compared to previous naturally aspirated engines. The new engine is lighter, delivering more power and improved fuel economy.
• The improved Lineartronic greatly enhances ratio coverage and lightness to boost acceleration performance and fuel economy. As well as employing full auto-step shift control, the Subaru XV features a 7-speed manual mode function for a more engaging driving experience.
• Engine and transmission noise and vibration are greatly reduced, for a more dynamic experience.

Safety

Subaru’s safety performance has continuously been highly rated by third-party organizations. The new Subaru XV has adopted technologies to further enhance its safety including the new platform and the advanced preventative safety system, to ensure XV will achieve high safety ratings.

Active safety

• The new platform achieves a centre of gravity that is 5 mm lower than present models. Together with the major improvements in rigidity and the evolution of the suspension system, this lower centre of gravity offers outstanding hazard avoidance capabilities on a level with a high-performance sports car.

Passive safety

• Impact energy absorption is improved by 40% over present models by using a frame structure that absorbs more energy and high-tensile steel plates.

Preventive safety

• EyeSight, Subaru’s innovative and highly acclaimed driver assist technology, delivers extremely reliable preventive safety and assists drivers through features such as Pre-Collision Braking Control, Adaptive Cruise Control, and Lane Keep Assist function.
• The new High Beam Assist employs a monocular camera, automatically switching from high to low beam as per road conditions.
• Steering Responsive Headlights move the beam right or left whilst cornering or at junctions to illuminate the direction of travel. The Subaru XV uses two headlight controls for the first time, dramatically improving night-time visibility and the recognition capabilities of EyeSight.
• The Subaru Rear Vehicle Detection has been fitted, offering blind spot detection, lane change assistance and reversing assistance to enhance all-round preventive safety.

Top-line Specifications for all-new XV

Body size (Overall length / width / height)	4,465 x 1,800 x 1,615mm
Wheelbase	2,665 mm
Minimum ground clearance	220 mm
Engine	FB20 type 2.0-liter, DOHC, Horizontally-Opposed, 4-cylinder, Direct injection, NA
Displacement	1,995cc
Bore, Stroke	84 x 90mm
Maximum output	115kW (156ps)
Maximum torque	196Nm (20.0kgfm)
Transmission	Lineartronic
Drive train	Symmetrical AWD
Tyre size	225/55 R18
Seating capacity	5

TMW - Subaru pushes out the boat for the Outback - the best car they produce.

Subaru is most definitely on the come back trail, they have a brilliant range of cars from the Levorg to this, the Outback, and many others in between from other off roaders and sports cars, and the car that gave them the reputation that they so well deserve, the WRX/STi, this and the BRZ are two models that we will be testing over the coming months, and i can not wait.

But, back to the car we have here today, the 2.0D SE Outback, this really is a stunning car to drive, is one of the most comfortablest, easy to drive, easy on the eye and a general all round brilliant car, from the outside the estate looks a big car, and it is, there is no getting away from this, yet it is very easy to drive, the steering is light and precise and you never feel like it is vague and unresponsive.

Once you get the seats and steering wheel into your ideal driving position you never need to move them again, and from there everything is so ideally placed, from the switches to the touch-screen Infotainment system, to the buttons that work the heating seats, which on a cold day are a welcome addition.

Driving the car is so easy, and when driving at a steady speed you hardly notice that you are in a diesel, it is that quiet, and smooth, the four wheel drive, which Subaru is famous for, is a great addition and keeps the car on the straight and narrow, put the cruise control on and you can just let the car "get on with it", it will even slow down and pull away on it's own, as well as let you know when you start to "drift" across onto another lane, or off to the side of the road.

The seven speed auto is very smooth and moves up and down the gears without any fuss or judder, if you're driving perfectly you only know the gears are changing by the rev counter moving up and down, thats how smooth and quiet it is.

The seats are some of the most comfortable i have sat in whilst driving, they are like armchairs, they cosset and keep you in position, which in turn makes for a great driving experience.

The fuel consumption stated by Subaru is

• Urban Cycle           37.7mpg
• Extra Urban Cycle  53.3mpg
• Combined Cycle     46.3mpg

If you manage to get the 53.3mpg, combined with teh fuel tank size, you should get over 700 miles out of the car, the Subaru also has a CO2 level of 159g/km which for a car this size is really good and helps with the BIK should you utilise the car for business usage, Top Speed is a decent 119mph, not that you will be doing that in the UK, well, you shouldn't, Should you 😀

The Outback is a great car, and if all you got was a standard spec model you would be more than happy with it, yet, it does not stop there, this model comes complete with a host of kit as standard.

• LED Headlights and Tail Lights
• Pop Up Headlamp Washes
• Power Fold Heated Door Mirrors
• Automatic Raise and Close Tailgate
• Flappy Paddles
• Seat Heaters
• All Round Power Windows
• Cruise Control
• Vehicle Dynamics Control
• Subaru Starlink Connectivity
• Hill Start Assist
• Active Torque Vectoring
• Centre Differential
• Whiplash Reducing Seats

And this is just a small amount of the standard kit, there is far far more to be added to the list.

Rear space is at a premium, with more than enough for three well set adults on the back seats, added to this there is a acres of space in the boot for loads of luggage, shopping or, with the seats down, some larger pieces of furniture.

Subaru is definitely on the rise, there is the updated BRZ, XV and Levorg all imminent, along with the second year of BTCC, and the continued use of the WRX/STi in privateer hands around the globe in numerous rallying events.

The Outback is a brilliant, car, and one that can accommodate everything you throw at it, it is a brilliant family car, as well as a car that can be utilised as a business car, either way, you could find few cars that fulfil all your requirements.