AUTO ADVISOR GROUP
BRUCE HUBBARD
BRADLEY HUBBARD
Subaru of America, Inc. today announced
that it is expanding its line of award-winning crossover-type vehicles with the
all-new 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek. The versatile, fun-to-drive Subaru XV
Crosstrek, which arrives this fall, combines five-door design with an
expanded-capability chassis, high fuel economy and everyday comfort.
Dealers who saw the concept got together
with Subaru and pushed for the LV Crosstrek to be built. It was not only ideal
for US roads but the roads of Europe.
The new Subaru XV Crosstrek is based on the
Impreza® platform. They made significant changes to the chassis and
body and configuring interior standard equipment and options specifically for
this new model. This is similar to what they did when they developed the
Outback Sport. All 2013 Subaru XV
Crosstrek models are powered by a 148-horsepower
2.0-liter BOXER engine, teamed to Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive via a five-speed
manual transmission or available second-generation Lineartronic®
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).
Some journalist who have driven the XV Crosstrek state the engine needs
more power to propel the new Subaru. We always like more power and Subaru can
deliver more from the Boxster engine if they wish. After market tuners and
others look forward to helping those who need more power. Brakes work well even
in the mountain ranges. The great tires, suspension handles well on the road
and off road. In order to get the
same ground clearance of the Forester the new Crosstrek has a little more body roll.
No fuel economy
figures yet but Subaru press release states that the 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek to be the most fuel-efficient all-wheel drive crossover on
the market. Manufacturer-estimated fuel economy figures are 25 mpg city / 33
mpg highway / 28 mpg combined.
Compared to the
Subaru Impreza five-door model it is based on, the 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek incorporates numerous body and chassis enhancements for
its expanded-capability mission. Black side- and wheel-arch cladding, rocker
spoiler and roof rails provide a rugged contrast to the body color. The higher
ride height, roof spoiler and unique-design 17-inch wheels bolster the Subaru XV Crosstrek model’s go-anywhere stance and attitude. Front and rear
bumpers and the front grille are unique to the Subaru XV
Crosstrek, and dark-tint privacy glass is standard.
The rugged
styling is backed up by function, as the four-wheel independent suspension
features a raised configuration in the Subaru XV Crosstrek.
The new crossover model’s 8.7 inches of ground clearance is higher than for
most other crossovers and even some dedicated SUVs. The Subaru XV Crosstrek uses standard 17-inch alloy wheels with 225/55 R17
all-season tires to provide all-weather traction and performance. The four-wheel
disc brake system in the Subaru XV Crosstrek features larger front
rotors than on the Impreza 2.5i models.
The standard
five-speed manual transmission includes the Subaru Incline Start Assist
feature, which will briefly hold the vehicle while the driver coordinates brake
and clutch to pull away from a stop on a hill. Available for the Subaru XV Crosstrek Premium models and standard on the Limited trim line; the
Subaru Lineartronic CVT provides infinite variability between the highest and
lowest available ratios with no discernable steps or shifts. The CVT
continuously and smoothly adapts to performance demand, helping to keep the
engine in its most efficient operating range. A six-speed manual mode with
steering wheel paddle shifters allows the driver to control the transmission
via six pre-set ratios. With either transmission choice, a standard ECO gauge
helps the driver to operate the vehicle as economically as possible.
For safety, the
Subaru Ring-Shaped Frame Reinforcement body structure has been proven in more
than a decade of use. Inside, the Subaru XV Crosstrek
fills out its safety roster with a driver’s knee airbag and standard front side
pelvis/torso airbags and side curtain airbags that offer front and rear
outboard seat coverage. The passenger-seat front airbag features a shell-type
design with a center groove, thus exposing the passenger to less impact force
upon deployment.
Vehicle Dynamics
Control (VDC) combines stability and traction control functions. Traction
control works to augment the Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive functionality. The
4-wheel disc Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) integrates Electronic Brake-force
Distribution (EBD) and the Brake Assist safety system. A new Brake Override
system ensures that the engine power will be cut when both the brake and
accelerator are pressed simultaneously.
Subaru offers two different Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive systems in the 2013
Subaru XV Crosstrek models. With the five-speed manual transmission, the AWD
system uses a viscous-coupling locking center differential to distribute power
50/50 front to rear. Slippage at either set of wheels will send more power to
the opposite set.
Models equipped with the Lineartronic CVT feature the Active Torque
Split version of Symmetrical AWD. An electronically managed continuously
variable transfer clutch actively manages power distribution based on
acceleration, deceleration, and available traction. The Active Torque Split
system automatically transfers more power (up to 100 percent) to the wheels
with the best grip should slippage occur.
A 103.7-inch
wheelbase yields impressive interior roominess in the 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek.
Rear seat legroom in the Subaru XV Crosstrek of 35.4 inches is
close to that of some midsize cars. The Subaru Forester offers more interior
space and will be a competitor to the new XV Crosstrek. Large door pockets can
hold plastic drink bottles and large maps. Numerous compartments located in and
around the center console hold all manner of today’s personal items, such as
phones, USB drives and MP3 players.
With the standard
60/40 split rear seatbacks folded, this versatile five-door crossover provides
a completely flat load floor with up to approximately 52.4 cubic feet of
carrying space. The cargo area is outfitted as standard with a cover that can
be pulled into place or removed, a removable waterproof tray, tie-down hooks,
and grocery bag hooks. Subaru dealers will offer a number of accessories for
the standard roof rails for carrying items like bicycles and kayaks.
Subaru will offer the 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek in
Premium and Limited models, the latter adding additional luxury amenities and
infotainment technology. Among the standard features in the Premium are a
tilt/telescoping steering wheel with audio and Bluetooth® control
switches; power windows, door locks and side mirrors; multi-function display
with fuel economy information; security system with engine immobilizer; outside
temperature gauge, and carpeted floormats. The standard audio system in the
Premium model features Bluetooth® hands-free phone connectivity and
audio streaming, Radio Data Broadcast System (RDBS), iPod® control
capability, USB port, 3.5mm aux. input jack and six speakers.
In addition to making the Lineartronic CVT standard, the 2013 Subaru XV
Crosstrek Limited adds leather-trimmed upholstery, steering wheel and shift
handle; automatic climate control system; auto on/off headlights, and a rear
seat armrest with dual cupholders. A standard display-type audio system in the Subaru XV Crosstrek Limited incorporates a rear-vision camera and also
features a 4.3-inch display screen and standard HD Radio™.
Standard on the Limited and available for the Premium, the All-Weather
Package gives the Subaru XV Crosstrek heated front seats,
heated exterior mirrors and a windshield wiper de-icer. Both the Subaru XV Crosstrek Premium and Limited offer a power moonroof and a
navigation system as standalone options. The navigation system uses a 6.1-inch
touch screen LCD display and integrates a rear-vision camera, voice control,
iTunes® tagging, SMS text messaging capability, XM Satellite Radio®
and XM NavTraffic® (both XM services require subscriptions). Updated
map data can be downloaded to a personal computer and then transferred into the
system via secure digital (SD) card.
Competition will be the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, maybe
the CR-V, Suzuki-XR4 (which also has four wheel drive), and the Toyota RAV 4.
As stated above the LX Crosstrek is offered in two trim levels unlike the Impreza hatch that
offers like the Forester in three trim levels. For 2012, a base Impreza hatch
is 18,745, a base Forester is $21,370. At about $22,500, the XV Premium should
sell well.
We feel that if Subaru would bring in their diesel model it
would sell very well. It is offered in Europe and delivers a lot more torque to
the four wheel than the gasoline version. 258 foot pounds of torque at 1,600
rpm.
We await arrival of the production models in North America
to do a week long test. Once done we will update our opinions with more data on
the fuel economy, horsepower, torque and more.
Auto Advisor Group
Bruce Hubbard
Bradley Hubbard
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