IAA 2011: Subaru Impreza-Based XV Crossover

Subaru lifted the wraps off its new competitor in the small crossover segment at this week's Frankfurt Motor Show. The Japanese firm's Nissan Qashqai rival is based on the Impreza, but comes with a different body style and a jacked up suspension that provides close to 220mm or more than 8.5 inches of ground clearance.The compact sized model measures 4,450mm in length, 1,780mm in width and 1,570mm in height and will launch in Europe with a choice of three boxer engines, including 1.6-liter and 2.0-liter gasoline units, and a 2.0-liter turbo diesel.
The 1.6-liter petrol delivers 114HP and 150Nm (110.6 lb-ft) of peak torque, and is offered with a 5-speed manual or optionally, a Lineartronic CVT. The manual model completes the 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint in 13.1 seconds while reaching a top speed of 179km/h (111mph) and returning a combined fuel economy of 6.5lt/100km (36.2mpg).
The more potent 2.0-liter petrol comes with 150HP and 196Nm (144.5 lb-ft) of peak torque, and is offered with either a 6-speed manual or an optional Lineartronic CVT. The manual model goes from zero to 100km/h (62mph) 10.5 seconds, maxes out at 187km/h (116mph), while delivering a combined fuel efficiency of 6.9lt/100km (36.2mpg).
Finally, the 2.0-liter diesel generates 147HP and 350Nm (258.2 lb-ft) of peak torque, and is offered only with a 6-speed manual. The standard sprint is completed in 9.3 seconds and the crossover can reach speeds of up to 198km/h (123mph), while returning a combined economy of 5.6lt/100km (42mpg).
Naturally all models come equipped with Subaru's AWD system, while the Japanese company has also added its “Auto Start Stop System".
Subaru has not yet confirmed availability for North America.

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Frankfurt Preview: Subaru XV Crossover Concept

From the moment we saw the XV Concept at the Shanghai Motor Show last April, we knew that it was a thinly disguised study of Subaru’s new Impreza-based crossover. And we were right: the Japanese company announced today that the production version of the XV will make its world premiere at the opening of the Frankfurt Motor Show on September 13.
Subaru also released a cropped sketch of the XV showing the car's front end. As expected, it doesn’t differ much from the concept, and we expect the same to be true of the interior.
The Concept was powered by a 2.0-liter flat-four engine coupled to a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which will most likely make it on the XV. Power will be directed, as is customary for Subaru’s models, to all four wheels.
Production of the new Subaru XV will begin in late 2011 and the first deliveries are expected in early 2012.

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Subaru-Based Crossover Prototype Comes out of the Closet

Back in the corporate heydays of GM, before the Detroit automaker went bust, the General would re-badge just about anything it could get its hands on if it were to make a fast buck without breaking a sweat.
This lazy corporate mentality was not only limited to GM’s American products but it spread throughout the entire company. Saab and even Subaru were subjected to this crude process, which was mostly limited to swapping badges and grilles.
When GM controlled the fate of Saab and held a 20 percent share of Subaru, the Detroit company's executive gurus came up with the bright idea of re-badging Subaru models as higher-end Saabs and selling them for a premium.
The first product of the Saabaru project was the Saab 9-2x, which was nothing more than a Subaru Impreza hatchback with a different nose job and a re-trimmed interior. It was also the last production model of the sort as the following year, GM sold its Subaru’s shares back to the Japanese carmaker’s parent company, Fuji Heavy Industries.
But not before it finished a prototype named the Saab 9-6 that was built on the Subaru B9 Tribeca crossover. And even though most of us had heard about the 9-6, no one outside of Saab and GM had ever actually seen the crossover model, up until now, that is.
The Swedes decided that it was time for the prototype model to come out of the darkness and into the light of Saab’s museum in Trollhättan, Sweden.
Discovered and photographed by Steven Wade, the man we came to know as the founder of the Saabsunited website and who is now part of the Swedish firm’s social media team, the 9-6 is a typical product of GM’s re-badging process.
And by that we mean a Saab nose plus some minor changes to the exterior and interior trim.
Wade also mentioned on the company’s website that GM also developed a three-door prototype of the Saab 9-6, but its whereabouts remain unknown.

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Subaru Signs MoU to Manufacture Compact SUV

Subaru’s parent company Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (FHI) today announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Tan Chong Group for the local production of an unnamed compact SUV in Malaysia.

The only compact SUV in Subaru’s current range is the Forester, though the vehicle in question may be the upcoming Impreza-based crossover that was previewed by the XV Concept (pictured above) at the 2011 Shanghai Auto Show in China this past April.

The Japanese automaker said an initial assembly of 5,000 vehicles per year will begin in October 2012 at an existing production facility of Tan Chong Motor Assemblies Sdn. Bhd (TCMA). The vehicles will be sold in Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia through the Tan Chong Group’s Subaru network.

FHI established a partnership with Tan Chong Group in 1987 when the latter was appointed the Subaru distributor in Singapore. The Tan Chong Group has since expanded the sales and distribution network of Subaru vehicles across ASEAN countries that now include Cambodia, Southern China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.

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VIDEO: Subaru in the Midst of Saudi Women Driving

Last month, a 32-year old woman named Manal al-Sharif was arrested in Saudi Arabia for committing the crimes of… driving and posting a video on Youtube urging other women to drive too.
This is strictly forbidden by the Wahhabi sect of Suni Islam which is Saudi Arabia’s religion, as women are not allowed to apply for a driver’s license or mix with men (e.g. in service or gas stations) or even leave the home without male company.
Even though al-Sharif was released 10 days later, her arrest resulted in a group of women named "Saudi women for Driving" to campaign in favor of lifting the ban on women’s driving in the Kingdom.
US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, has publicly supported the group who defied the royal family’s regime by driving in Saudi Arabian streets on June 17.
Now the group is putting pressure on Subaru and its parent company, Fuji Heavy Industries, to leave the country until the prohibition is lifted. The Japanese company was selected because it is considered progressive and has marketed its products to women. It is also quite possible that the group’s next targets will be Cadillac and Hyundai, the two brands of cars driven by al-Sharif.
Fuji Industries and Subaru spokesman, Kenta Matsumoto, commented that the company’s Saudi Arabia dealer’s “haven’t received information of any campaigns. We only have dealers, not factories, in the country and our annual sales are limited to 300-400 units”.

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VIDEO: Subaru Impreza WRX STI’s Record Run at the Isle of Man TT

After seeing the growing the attention and interest on Mark Higgins' record lap time -and not to mention, a very close call with a wall during the practice runs- in a U.S. specification 2011 Impreza WRX STI 305HP at the historic Isle of Man TT Mountain Course, Subaru’s American arm issued a new video of the event.
The former British Rally Champion achieved speeds of up to 162 MPH (260 km/h) and a lap time of 19 minutes 37 seconds over the 37-mile track, which runs through several small towns with trees, stone walls, and buildings and includes more than 200 corners.
The video highlights Higgin’s lap that averaged 115.356 MPH, while the British driver also talks us through a chilling moment at Brey Hill when he momentarily lost and then regained control of the WRX STI at more than 150 MPH (241km/h).
Aside from the necessary safety modifications such as a Lifeline fire suppression system, Hockley Motorsports roll cage, and motordrive competition seats, the WRX STI was also fitted with Mintex brake pads (but with stock calipers and rotors), a louder open exhaust to warn spectators of its arrival, and retuned springs and dampers to accommodate the numerous high-speed jumps on the circuit. In addition, Subaru’s engineers turned off the car’s speed limiter.
Commenting on the event that marked the test runs, Higgins said:

"We were only able to get two practice runs and on our second practice I had the biggest 'moment' of my career. We had a passenger on the run and so coming into Bray Hill at more than 150 MPH, the extra weight compressed the suspension more than on previous runs and shifted the Subaru to the left and then right as I corrected--it was a real tank slapper. The whole thing went by so quickly that we never slowed below 110 MPH, and then we were back on the power. It was amazing and the helicopter shots really show just how hairy it really was."

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2010 Subaru Impreza XV car Styling Review and roadtest

2010 Subaru Impreza XV car Styling Review and roadtest
http://www.2012cars.co.cc/2011/05/2010-mitsubishi-outlander-rx-car.html

2011 Subaru B9 Tribeca review and wallpapers

2011 Subaru B9 Tribeca review and wallpapers
new bmw cars specification and previews: http://www.2012cars.co.cc/2011/05/2011-2002-bmw-740d-car-pictures-gallery.html

All-New 2012 Subaru Impreza

The New York auto show hosts the world premiere of the fourth generation Subaru Impreza, showcased in both 4-door and 5-door body styles. Developed under the Subaru’s concept of “Redefining Value, Redefining Class”, the new Impreza is allegedly more fuel-efficient and fun to drive, while offerings better interior space, despite having the same exterior dimensions as the outgoing model.
The wheelbase has been enlarged by 25 mm, the bottom end of the A-pillar has been extended 200 mm toward the front and the door structure has been redesigned, with all these changes resulting in increased shoulder and elbow space, extra foot room for the rear passengers and an improved field of vision for the driver. Naturally, cargo space is larger in the sedan with Subaru claiming that it can transport four golf bags, while the hatchback can accommodate three.
Mechanically, the base U.S. models feature Subaru's Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system and the third generation 2.0-liter boxer engine, mated either to a 5-speed manual, either to the new Lineartronic Continuously Variable Transmission.
Rated at 148 horsepower (22 less than the outgoing model’s 2.5-liter unit) and 145 lb-ft (197 Nm) of torque, the smaller engine achieved a preliminary in-house fuel consumption rating of 36 mpg (6.5 liters/100 km), a record for a U.S.-market AWD production car. This is also due to the vehicle's low weight (1,320 kg/2,910 lbs), the optimized aerodynamics and the standard low-rolling resistance tires.
Subaru says the exterior design follows the “Smart & Classy” concept, with the result being an elegant but somewhat understated look. The car's styling highlights include the hexagon grille with spread wings in the center, “hawk eye” headlights and bulged wheel arches, with the latter being a reference to all-wheel drive capability.
The new Impreza's interior appears to be inspired by German cars, with ergonomically placed controls and a classic setup. The three-spoke steering wheel and the round speedometer and rev counter add a hint of sportiness, but nothing to get excited about. Subaru didn't offer any details on pricing and launch dates.

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