All-new Subaru Impreza revealed in New York

Subaru debuted its all new Impreza at the New York International Auto Show.

As before, every model is equipped as standard with Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (AWD), for maximised driving agility, stability and traction on all surfaces, says Subaru.

Power comes from four-cylinder horizontally-opposed ‘Boxer’ engines, while a new Subaru Global Platform is set to form the basis of all future Subaru models. The 'highly-adaptable' platform is suitable for a range of different body styles and powertrains, including Subaru’s all-terrain crossover and SUV models.

A new design language sees the brand’s signature hexagonal grille and ‘hawk-eye’ headlights fitted to a more ‘sculptural body’, with the new car’s its athletic stance accentuated by prominent wheel arches and flowing lines. Overall length is up 41 mm and width has been increases by 38 mm. The larger dimensions create a roomier cabin, while a 10 mm lower height aids aerodynamics with a lower coefficient of drag.

The Impreza’s new platform incorporates several types of high-strength steel to ‘significantly’ enhance straight-line stability, agility and ride comfort, while suppressing noise, vibration and harshness. Subaru claims the new platform increases rigidity of the unitised body structure by over 70 percent compared to the current Impreza model. The double-wishbone independent rear suspension mounts its rear stabiliser bar directly to the body, reducing body roll by 50 percent.

The new model provides higher levels of safety than the outgoing car, by accommodating the EyeSight collision avoidance technology for the first time, as well as crash energy absorption figures improved by 40 percent over the old Impreza. The EyeSight system acts as a ‘second pair of eyes’ for drivers by employing stereo colour camera technology to monitor the road and traffic ahead of potential hazards. This includes Adaptive Cruise Control, Automatic Pre-Collision Braking and Lane Departure and Sway Warning, plus a Lane Keep Assist function. Blind Spot Detection and Rear Cross Traffic Alert are also available.

Also new are Steering Responsive Headlights, which can illuminate curves as the vehicle steers into them, and High Beam Assist, which automatically activates and deactivates the high-beam headlamps based on driving conditions. All models include as standard equipment front seat side impact airbags, side curtain airbags and a driver’s knee airbag. New driver-assist technologies, include Reverse Automatic Braking and the display of steering lines for the standard rear-vision camera. Reverse Automatic Braking can apply the vehicle’s brakes if an obstacle is detected while reversing.

High connectivity comes via the Subaru STARLINK touchscreen infotainment. Controlled by a large touchscreen and using Subaru’s latest-generation voice control system, the display screen also provides the display for the standard rear vision camera and navigation.

Subaru says the new Impreza 5-door hatchback is currently under consideration for the European market.

Subaru XV concept revealed

Subaru showed the XV Concept at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show.

The concept previewed a future design direction for Subaru, including the forthcoming, all-new XV compact crossover.

The XV Concept design study embodies the brands next-generation ‘DYNAMIC X SOLID’ design philosophy, with a solid, robust appearance and raised ground clearance that references the ‘go-anywhere’ All-Wheel Drive capability of every Subaru vehicle.

The cabin silhouette tapers as the bodywork flows towards the rear, leaving an impression of ‘energy and athleticism’ without compromising the concept's practicality, says Subaru. The body surfacing is divided by two strong character lines – one extending from the front bumper, along the doors and into the rear shoulder; another rising from the lower half of the doors towards the rear of the car.

The front features Subaru’s signature hexagonal grille and ‘hawk-eye’ headlamps. Matt black body cladding runs from the front bumper, over the wheel arches and side sills, and into the rear bumper. The rear also includes matt black-clad rear bumpers which rise to meet the car’s rear combination lamps.

Subaru has given the concept an exclusive new paint finish, ‘Glacier Khaki Silica’ – a newly-developed blue-grey tone created to evoke the appearance of glacier ice. Orange accents appear on the grille, front and rear bumpers, 19-inch aluminium wheels and roof rails.

Subaru XV Concept teased ahead of Geneva debut

Subaru has released a teaser image of the XV Concept, which is set to make its world debut at the forthcoming Geneva Motor Show.

The shadowy, front-three-quarter detail image depicts a rugged, aggressively-styled, SUV-type vehicle. Bold, five-spoke alloy wheels are finished in black with red detailing around the cut-outs, contrasting with the concept car’s silver-grey two-tone paintwork.

The Subaru XV Concept will be unveiled at the press briefing scheduled for 11:15 AM (Central European Time) on 1 March on the Subaru stand.

The 86th Geneva International Motor Show will be open to the public from 3-13 March 2016.

Subaru XV crossover gets a facelift

Subaru has facelifted the XV compact crossover, tweaking its exterior styling whilst also boosting cabin quality and refinement.

Updates to the 2016 model follow changes made last year to the suspension and steering, designed to deliver improvements to the ride and handling. 

The upgraded XV interior features higher quality materials and Subaru's new factory-fit 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment and navigation system. There's new metallic and piano black trim as well as contrast stitching throughout the cabin and the driver's TFT LCD instrument binnacle now emits a soft, blue glow. 

The touchscreen display allows smartphone-style control of the navigation and infotainment features, with a swipe and pinch control function for map displays. It works in conjunction with the standard-fit rear view camera, offering a super-wide 160-degree field of view behind the car when reversing. 

Many functions can now be voice activated, while Apple iPhone users can use Siri Eyes-Free functionality, to enable complete voice control of their mobile when linked with the new infotainment system.

An extra USB port in the front of the cabin allows passengers to listen to music from one device while charging another at the same time.

The upgraded XV continues to offer a choice of two horizontally-opposed, four-cylinder Boxer engines - a 2.0-litre petrol and 2.0-litre diesel - and two transmissions (six-speed manual and six-speed CVT automatic). For 2016, both engines have been tweaked to deliver improved fuel economy.

The 2.0-litre turbodiesel, with a six-speed manual transmission, achieves 52.3 mpg on the combined cycle (a four percent improvement), while CO2 emissions fall from 146 to 141 g/km, placing the car in a lower BIK tax band. 

The 150 PS 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine's fuel efficiency has increased by 2% to a combined average of 43.5 mpg when fitted with the Lineartronic CVT automatic transmission, and emissions fall to 151 g/km. 

Exterior styling changes include an upgraded front end, which now features updated 'hawk-eye' headlights and a redesigned front grille and bumper. At the rear, there's a new boot spoiler and LED combination lamps and the look is completed by new black and silver diamond cut alloy wheel design.

There are also two new colour options available to UK buyers - Hyper Blue and Dark Blue Metallic - and like every Subaru, the XV is offered with a comprehensive five-year, 100,000-mile warranty.

Despite the range of upgrades across the full model line-up, pricing for the Subaru XV remains unchanged for the 2016 model, which goes on sale across the UK next month from £21,995 on the road.

Subaru beats official CO2 ratings in real world driving test

Subaru has beat its official CO2 ratings in real world driving.

Amid the recent controversy surrounding manufacturer claims on official mpg figures,  Subaru has been named one of the top car manufacturers for ‘real world’ fuel efficiency following independent testing. Subaru ranked second best among all brands for honest fuel economy claims in the tests carried out to establish how efficient cars are under normal driving compared to their official fuel consumption figures.

The programme, which took place over two years and saw around 600 cars independently tested, was conducted by German car magazine Auto Motor und Sport. The magazine sought to establish how models from all major car manufacturers performed against their official fuel economy and emissions ratings, established under lab conditions as part of the New European Drive Cycle (NEDC) fuel efficiency tests that every new car must undergo.

Subaru ranked second place in the test, and was one of only five manufacturers to beat its official NEDC CO2 emissions rating, with testers recording a 6 per cent average improvement over the official emissions ratings for cars across the Subaru range.

The majority of other car manufacturers fell short of their official fuel economy figures, with shortfalls of up to 14.4 per cent in some instances.

The tests were conducted by Auto Motor und Sport on a set 171-mile (275km) test course, which incorporated country roads, motorways and congested city traffic.

Subaru debuts new Impreza 5-Door Concept

Subaru debuts new Impreza 5-Door Concept

Subaru debuts new Impreza 5-Door Concept

Subaru debuts new Impreza 5-Door Concept

Subaru debuts new Impreza 5-Door Concept

Subaru debuts new Impreza 5-Door Concept

Subaru has given a world premiere to its Impreza 5-Door Concept.

Revealed at the Tokyo Motor Show, the concept achieves a higher level of aerodynamic performance 'while blending form with function' resulting in modern styling, which hints at how future versions of the car will look.

The design study has a wide and low stance, hinting at the car's innate stability, while the hexagonal grille develops Subaru's visual identity further. The front combination lamps display a 'bold reinterpretation' of Subaru's "hawk-eye" headlights.

The Impreza 5-door Concept boasts a dynamic look and stance, a result of strong, clean character lines extending from the front wheel arch to the rear shoulders as well as offering all the functionality 'essential to Subaru and its customers'. The front and rear combination lights have been designed to 'express a powerful, modern look', with the taut lines and compact silhouette of the car further enhancing the concept's sportiness and stability, says Subaru.

The design not only hints at the styling of the next-generation Impreza but Subaru's future models as a whole.