CompleteCar

New Subaru crossover launched

Say hello to the Qashqai's latest rival, the Subaru XV.

Subaru has rocked up to Auto Shanghai with a bright green XV concept that it's claiming defines a new generation of crossover vehicles.  No surprises that power comes from a 2.0-litre four-cylinder boxer engine, though it's mated here with a CVT transmission Subaru calls 'Lineartronic'.

The company's bold claims of defining the segment seem to be based entirely around the styling, which mixes traditional Subaru cues with a profile that apes the current Impreza. The usual crossover design identifiers are present and correct, with roof bars, plastic wheelarch extensions and hints at some under-body protection front and rear.

Inside the interior is bright thanks to a panorama style glass roof that extends from the windscreen to the rear, while a touch-screen interface is used for the multi-media system.

A neat, convincing looking concept then, but one that's hardly genre-busting. However, it's quite likely something very similar will be in Subaru showrooms soon vying for a slice of the massive sales pie dominated by Nissan's Qashqai.

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Published on April 19, 2011