Subaru pulled the wraps off the production version of its XV "crossover" a few hours ago here in Frankfurt. Looking suspiciously like a five-door Impreza with a lift kit, the XV was Subaru's main event. And the moniker is pronounced eks vee, not the Roman numerals for the number 15.
Nevertheless, it's resplendent in orange. And really, there just aren't enough orange cars in the world today. Who's with me?
The XV shown today is powered by a 2.0-liter diesel boxer, though alternatives include 1.6-liter and 2.0-liter gasoline flat-4s. Pitched as an urban vehicle, the XV lacks the knobby-ish tires of an Outback. The jacked-up ride height must be for curb-hopping, then.
No word on whether something similar to the XV will make its way Stateside.
canuckrs says:
05:48 AM, 09/13/11
I like it...a lot...Probably doesn't help that I am a Subby fanatic (as well as a Subby employee), but I really dig the aggressive styling. Has potential for sure.
eclogite says:
05:55 AM, 09/13/11
Great orange color AND a diesel? Sign me up. It'd be fun to decorate for Halloween with black tape.
ed124c says:
06:02 AM, 09/13/11
Wouldn't this simply be the replacement for the Impreza Outback Sport?
The five door styling is pretty bland, but jacking it up does give it a more commanding look.
I like the looks of the new Impreza sedan better, though.
By the way, so far the Frankfurt show has been a snoozer. Hope there are more exciting cars yet to be revealed.
elgac says:
06:05 AM, 09/13/11
About time Suabru gave the Outback sport some ground clearance.
If it comes stateside with a diesel or WRX powertrain, I would definitely consider it.
subytrojan says:
07:42 AM, 09/13/11
elgac, SOA giving us the diesel or WRX drivetrain in this is very unlikely.
_feloniousmonk says:
08:16 AM, 09/13/11
Styling is funny thing: the Aztek is considered to be the epitome of ugly vehicle design, yet this is deemed palatable.
shakey5 says:
01:53 PM, 09/13/11
I was really hoping they would announce that they are bringing this to the US. Its what the Outback Sport should be.
accordpower1 says:
02:15 PM, 09/13/11
It seems to sit freakishly high. Ya I know, it's gotta go over mud/bumps/streams/etc., but it just looks off for a vehicle of this size to sit so high. The black fender trim doesn't help the visual either.
hotrodw says:
05:04 PM, 09/13/11
I think it looks pretty good. In typical Subaru fashion, the front overhang is a bit exaggerated. And I could certainly do without the black fender flares and odd black-out bits on the rear end. I still haven't heard if Subaru intends to turbocharge the Impreza's new 2.0 liter engine. If they do, this might be an ideal platform. 250 hp sounds about right.
veryhrm says:
02:16 AM, 09/14/11
This would be a perfect car for variable ride height suspension. Labeling it as a city car is pretty amusing.
wikiwiki says:
07:22 AM, 09/14/11
Love the look of this. Subaru should give it a real name though and not just letters.
oligin10 says:
09:52 PM, 09/14/11
Hope they bring it over, preferably with both gas and diesel engines. +1 for hotrodw comment about 2.0 turbo.
jscion says:
08:02 PM, 09/16/11
I love it!!! I've always wanted Subaru to come out with a smaller Outback and this certainly fills the void for me. The 2.0L Boxer doesn't seem powerful enough for this though.
perrito says:
10:00 AM, 09/17/11
Bring it with a diesel and I'll buy it. Otherwise, meh.
1919diesel says:
06:50 AM, 09/19/11
Is it just me, or is anyone else getting a little tired of seeing Mazda, Subaru, and others just re-hashing the same design as the original Pontiac Vibe? I mean, it started with the Dodge Caliber and just keeps going & going & going.....