The first generation XV has been something of godsend for Subaru and has, over the years, grown to become a large chunk of the company’s global car sales. With the facelifted versions hitting several markets in the region recently, does this concept tell us enough about whether Subaru will be able to keep that momentum going?
Their XV compact crossover has been met positively in pretty much every market Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI), Subaru's parent company, has brought it to, including Australia. If you’re wondering why, our guess is that the pairing of sharp looks, practicality, genuine off-road ability through company much-touted Asymmetrical All-Wheel Drive system, and heck, decent reliability, might have something to do with it.
While their raw numbers might not match those of other Japanese marques such as Toyota or Honda, their steady catch-up can be large attributed to the XV. At the 2016 Geneva Motor Show, Subaru pulled the wraps off what they believe to be the direction they’d like to take for their next-gen XV.
It’s not a huge departure, to be honest, but there are some bits that we’re keen to see make it to production. Before we go any further, we truly hope Subaru has pulled together a much nicer interior aesthetic here that will trickle down to all their production vehicles.
The exterior does bare resemblence to Subaru’s Impreza concepts (hatch and sedan) at last year’s Tokyo and Los Angeles Motor Shows, respectively. The XV concept’s ‘hawkeye’ headlights and grill surround are nearly identical to the concept Imprezas and, much like them, there are plenty of definition lines throughout the body.
The rear end is where things get more interesting. It’s a much more attractive bum than the rather plain tail of the current XV, and gives the concept that extra muscular edge that should keep people’s attention long enough to tempt even more potential buyers.
That light blue is a paint finish they’ve dubbed ‘Glacier Khaki Silica’ – rightfully rugged-sounding – while the customary crossover-style protective cladding is strewn around the bottom edges of the car.
Subaru’s Impreza concepts from 2015 surprised everyone with their near production-ready designs, leaving us wondering how much change will actually be required prior to launch. Minimal, we hope.
Minus out the 19-inch wheels, perhaps, and it’s not hard to imagine this XV Concept being just about ready for the showrooms.
Additionally, Subaru made much mention of its new design philosophy called, wait for it, Dynamic X Solid. Well, sure. It does seem to have made a positive difference, all told. Also reiterated was their plans for a new modern platform onto which the next XV and Impreza will sit.
The XV Concept measures 70mm longer, 140mm wider, 45mm lower, with a wheelbase that's 35mm longer compared to the current generation production XV. While no timeframe was mentioned for the next XV's rollout, it will be likely be in 2017 at the earliest.
