The 2012 Subaru XV has officially been unveiled today at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The 2012 Impreza-based XV will be Subaru's newest entry into the ever-expanding compact crossover segment in the marketplace.
At first glance, the XV looks like no more than a Day-Glo orange 2012 Impreza hatch with an 8.6-inch lift kit thrown on, and sweet looking 18-inch wheels, but the 2012 XV actually features quite a few pieces of trim that distinguish it from the Impreza. While the XV sports the same grille and hawk eye headlights as the Impreza, let your eyes drop a bit lower and you’ll notice that the XV has unique fog light cutouts, a unique (and quite cool looking) lower air intake. Subaru said that it designed the corners of the XV’s front and rear bumpers with special edges to enhance aerodynamics and thus, fuel economy. The XV, like prior Outback Sports, also wears black-plastic body cladding – although nowhere near the same amount as its predecessors.
While the 2012 Subaru XV might have an exterior that’s relatively different from what’s found on the 2012 Impreza, the interior and engine choices are mostly all carryover. The XV has the same interior as the new Impreza, but with a slightly higher seating position to allow passengers easier in and egress in the lifted hatch. Under the hood is similarly unchanged. While Europeans will have the choice of a 1.6-liter F-4, the new 2.0-liter F-4 and Subaru’s 2.0-liter diesel F-4, in North America the only engine choice is likely to be the new 2.0-liter boxer. Transmission choices will be limited to Subaru’s new CVT and its five-speed manual transmission. European XVs equipped with the CVT will come standard with Subaru’s new start-stop system, allowing it improve its fuel economy ratings.