Subaru offers a tease of the new XV crossover.
Automakers are beginning to sketch out the details of what they have coming for the Frankfurt Motor Show next month – quite literally in the case of Subaru, which is offering us this teaser rendering of the new XV.
A concept version of the new crossover made its debut at the Shanghai Motor Show, earlier in the year. The upcoming German event will bring the introduction of the production Subaru XV, which will serve as the replacement for the maker’s current Impreza Outback Sport model – at least in Europe and China. Exactly what that means for U.S. buyers remains to be seen.
The automotive arm of Fuji Heavy Industries is holding back the details, but the production XV is likely to mimic the dimensions of the concept shown in Shanghai. It was slightly longer and about an inch taller than the current Impreza Outback Sport – though it shared the production models all-wheel-drive system.
A concept version of the Subaru XV was unveiled at the Shanghai Motor Show, earlier this year.
Subaru says its goal was to blend the “commanding silhouette” of a crossover-ute with an “urban friendly” vehicle to create “one harmonious and elegant package.”
It remains to be seen how much of the XV concept carries over. The “Electro Yellowgreen” prototype featured a distinctive hexagon grille framed by “hawk-eye” headlamps and wide wheel arches designed to project a sense of muscularity.
A production version of the Subaru XV is likely to carry over the 2.0-liter four-cylinder boxer engine, though diesel power will almost certainly be offered as a European option.
Set to launch in Europe early next year, the maker believes it can expand its relatively modest presence there. However, Subaru already has significant momentum going in the States where it was the only maker to continue posting sales gains throughout the recession.