Test drive Subaru XV and Legacy: Update under a new password
According to Subaru, the XV was introduced in 2012 under the Urban Adventure slogan, with which they wanted to show its urban crossover character. With this update, they also slightly changed its purpose and now offer it under the slogan Urban Explorer, to whom they want to indicate that it is a cross between the desire for adventure.
The treat is known both outside and inside. The changes in appearance were mainly reflected in the front bumper with a slightly modified guide lip, as well as in other fog lamps with L-shaped chrome frames and a radiator grille with a more pronounced horizontal bar and mesh structure. The taillights with transparent covers and LED technology are also different. Some changes have also been made to the large rear wing, and the third brake light also features LED lights.
Beneath the widened niches with plastic skids, the new 17-inch wheels are available in a combination of black lacquer and brushed aluminum and have a sportier look than before. They have also expanded the color palette with two new exclusive blues: Hyper Blue and Dark Pearl Blue.
The dark interior, which has been harmonized with the Levorg, is livened up mainly by double orange stitching on the seats and door trim, which Subaru says evokes a sense of sportiness and elegance. Also new is the three-spoke steering wheel, which has also been adorned with orange stitching and is radically included, with which the driver controls modern entertainment and information tools, some also with voice commands. The central element of the dashboard is a large screen with touch control.
Under the hood, an updated boxer four-cylinder engine, two naturally aspirated petrol and a turbodiesel engine are mainly harmonized with the Euro 6 environmental criteria.
Both petrol engines, the 1,6-liter with 110 "horsepower" and 150 Nm of torque, and the 2,0-liter with 150 "horsepower" and 196 Nm of torque, improved the efficiency of the intake manifold, which resulted in greater quantity efficient development of torque at low revs while maintaining high power at high revs and responsiveness throughout the rev range. The exhaust manifold has also been redesigned, resulting in improved thermodynamic efficiency of the engine and efficient development of torque at all speeds.
The 1,6-liter petrol engine is available with five speeds, the 2,0-liter with a six-speed gearbox, and both with the CVT Lineartronic continuously variable transmission with six electronically controlled ratios. The turbo diesel engine with 147 "horsepower" and 350 Nm of torque is only available in combination with a six-speed manual transmission.
All engines, of course, continue to transfer their power to the ground through symmetrical all-wheel drive, which provides both balanced ride quality on paved roads and climbing ability on less paved surfaces.
If the Subaru XV is still a rookie, then the Forester is a veteran, already in its fourth generation. As they say in Subaru, its essence has always been the slogan "Do everything, come everywhere." With the new model year, the Conqueror slogan has been added. Robust, reliable and practical SUV, highlighting its solid construction.
As they say, the Forester is a combination of a car that feels good on city streets and long highway trips, and at the same time can safely and comfortably take you to a weekend in nature on a bad and paved mountain road. An important role in this is played by its boxing engine and symmetrical all-wheel drive. On very steep slopes and rough terrain, the driver can also use the X-Mode system, which automatically controls the operation of the engine, transmission, four-wheel drive and brakes and allows the driver and passengers to climb and descend safely.
Like the XV, the Forester is also available with two naturally aspirated petrol and turbo diesel four-cylinder boxer engines. Petrol - 2,0-liter and develop 150 and 241 "horsepower" in the XT version, and a 2,0-liter turbodiesel develops 150 "horsepower" and 350 Newton meters of torque. Weaker petrol and diesel are available with a six-speed manual or CVT Lineartronic continuously variable transmission, while the 2.0 XT is available with a continuously variable transmission only.
Of course, the Forester has also undergone design changes that are similar in nature to the XV and are mirrored in the front with a different bumper and grille, rear and front with LED lighting, and updated rims. It is similar in the interior, where the updated multifunction steering wheel and touchscreen stand out.
At the presentation of the updated XV and Forester, some information was also given about last year's sale of Subaru in Slovenia. We had 45 new Subaru registered last year, up 12,5 percent from 2014, 49 percent from Subaru XV, 27 percent from Foresters and 20 percent from Outback.
According to a Subaru spokesman, prices for the XV and Forester will remain the same and can be ordered immediately. The new XV can already be seen in showrooms, with the Forester arriving a bit later.
Text: Matija Janežić, photo factory
PS: 15 million Subaru XNUMXWD
In early March, Subaru celebrated a special anniversary by equipping 15 million vehicles with its symmetrical all-wheel drive. This came almost 44 years after the introduction of the Subaru Leone 1972WD Estate in September 4, Subaru's first all-wheel drive model.
Symmetrical four-wheel drive has since become one of the most recognizable features of the Japanese car brand. Subaru has continually developed and improved it in the following years, and in 2015 it equipped 98 percent of its vehicles with it.
