Ignore that metallic avocado paint job for a second and perhaps you'll be able to wrap your head around Subaru's latest concept. This XV concept (Roman numerals?) is about the same size as the Kia Sportage compact SUV. The design itself certainly isn't groundbreaking, in fact, it's pretty tame as far as concepts go.
The press release is a jumble of design-speak, extolling the virtues of Subaru's "Protren" direction. Although "Protren" sounds more like some sort of geriatric medication advertised on the nightly news, it's supposed to be a combination of "Professional tool" and "Trendy design." Yeah, we don't get it either.
In any case, the SV concept appears to be more of a preview of a yet-unnamed model rather than a wild concept. Perhaps an Outback Sport? Besides the retina-searing "Electro Yellowgreen" paint job, as Subaru calls it, the most notable features are the panoramic glass roof and the slick touchscreen center stack.
bc1960 says:
12:26 PM, 04/19/11
I like the paint. I also like the exterior better than anything Subaru currently makes. The interior is a little too 'Star Trek: The Next Generation', but that's better than Honda taking inspiration from '60s Japanese sci-fi. Now let's see it next to a Mazda CX-5.
gregnv says:
12:39 PM, 04/19/11
Concept cars should capture the imagination, show the aspirations of a design philosophy or introduce new innovations. This looks a lot like a Sportage with an extra rounded rear quarter window (or fake window). If it was a preview, rather than a concept, I would be more forgiving, but this may be one of the weakest concepts I have ever seen. There is nothing new here, nothing exciting. This is disappointing.
bonzjr says:
12:41 PM, 04/19/11
This is CLEARLY the Impreza wagon. They can jack it up and call it whatever they want (a la Outback Sport as this version will be called when it hits US shores), but that's what it is.
Even imagining it without all of the funky add-ons (as more basic/WRX versions will look), this appears far better resolved 'styling'-wise than the sedan we've already seen.
prndlol says:
01:09 PM, 04/19/11
Manages to look both decidely old and Chinese at the same time.
dougtheeng says:
01:27 PM, 04/19/11
I think the interior is nice, but the exterior is all Ford Focus.
bc1960 says:
10:56 PM, 04/19/11
I just realized there are no side mirrors--probably illustrative license (or cameras?), but having heard stories about traffic in Chinese cities maybe suitable.
I wouldn't get hung up over semantics or idiosyncratic definitions of "concept"--it's a near-future production car.