Tan (third from left) and Ishitobi (second from right) at the launch of the new Subaru XV.
“We are thrilled to launch this new, second generation XV built on the new Subaru Global Platform, which delivers less shake and less body roll, and way more fun. The first generation XV was very well received and we are confident that the all-new Subaru XV will be the perfect driving partner for Malaysians, whether it be in daily traffic or out-of-town escapades,” said Reza Mutalib, Head of Regional Marketing, Motor Image Enterprises Pte Ltd.
Also present was at the launch was managing director of Tan Chong International Limited (TCIL), Glenn Tan; and senior general manager of overseas sales and marketing division 2, Subaru Corporation, Tomohiro Ishitobi.
The rigidity of the new XV throughout the body and chassis has been rasied over 70% to reduce vibration and body roll thus results in a quiet, smooth ride. On top of it, it has a quicker steering ratio and a lower centre of gravity while offering the same 220mm ground clearance as before.
Looks-wise, the new Subaru XV is sportier and distinctively rugged as it incorporates Subaru’s new Dynamic x Solid design philosophy. The exterior features Subaru’s iconic hexagonal grille with C-shaped headlights, matte-black cladding on the front bumper and a new aluminium 17 inch wheel design.
Inside, you will find a completely new dashboard and a striking touch with orange stitching on the seats and doors. The top specced XV 2.0i-P also has the orange stitching on the dashboard.
Standard items in the cabin include an eight-inch touchscreen display, a six-speaker audio system with Bluetooth connectivity, a 4.2-inch TFT LCD instrument panel info display, power-adjustable driver’s seat, paddle shifters and a rear view camera.
The new XV features a revamped 2.0-litre boxer engine which is 12kg lighter and equipped with direct injection to increase power while maintaining fuel economy. The engine is mated to the Lineartronic CVT transmission which is also 7.8kg lighter than previous models and features auto-step shift control and 7-speed manual mode function.
Besides Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system, the new XV now comes equipped with X-MODE which enhances driving performance on challenging terrain. It also is equipped with Hill Descent Control.
In terms of safety, it comes with seven airbags as standard for both variants as well as anti-lock braking system (ABS) with electronic brake distribution (EBD) and brake assist, vehicle dynamic control (VDC) and ISOFIX.
There is also the Steering Responsive Headlights exclusively for 2.0i-P variant which allows the headlight beam to move according to the direction of how the car is steered.
Six colours are available for the Subaru XV, and these are Sunshine Orange, Dark Blue Pearl, Pure White, Ice Silver Metallic, Dark Grey Metallic and Crystal Black Silica.
TC Subaru is projecting a sales target of 300 units a month.
