the new XV name and more plastic on the body

When Subaru introduced the XV crossover model in Switzerland in 2012, it was unlikely that the all-wheel drive compact car would become the Japanese manufacturer’s best seller. About 17,000 cars found buyers in Switzerland in the last ten years.

That’s a high number considering that less than 130,000 XVs were sold across Europe. In other parts of the world, especially in the USA, the model was a million seller and 2.2 million cars were sold. However, it has been there for a long time under the name Crosstrek – and for the latest generation, which had its Swiss premiere at Auto Zurich at the beginning of November and should be available to dealers from January, this model name is. also enter the European price list.

Subaru hopes that this will generate sales figures again; Since 2020, annual sales figures have entered the triple digit range. Finally, the model is important not only because of its sales figures – it accounts for around 40 percent of European sales – but also because it brings new customers to the brand: two out of three buyers bought their first Subaru with an XV, like David . Dello Stritto from the details of the European headquarters of the manufacturer.

You have to look for major exterior changes beyond the model writing on the Crosstrek. It has thin lights and a lot of black plastic on the wheel arches, bumpers and sides, which aim to emphasize the look outside the road no other innovation.

Plastic panels distinguish the Crosstrek from the new model of the Impreza partner, which is based on the same technical basis, but is about five centimeters flatter and also has less ground clearance. Crosstrek has 220 millimeters between the floor pan and the road. When it comes to the trunk, both models are no wonder – 315 liters can be expanded to almost 1300 liters by folding the seats. The VW Golf today offers 381 liters.

Subaru still sticks to combustion engines

Everyone is talking about electric cars, but Subaru continues to rely on the boxer engine, which has been part of the model’s DNA for almost sixty years, as well as the all-wheel drive, which has been produced since 1972. are legally allowed to be sold in Europe, we will supply them,” emphasizes Swiss sales manager Marco Mascis. “The customer ultimately decides on the choice of car.”

Electric models – after the already released Solterra – will still follow. Subaru will launch eight electric-only models in the coming years, Mascis said. Will the heart of the brand fall by the wayside? “No,” says the manager: “Boxer engines and symmetrical all-wheel drive have been part of our core technology since the beginning. With the introduction of the Eye-Sight driver assistance system, we have another unique selling point in terms of safety. Even if electrification continues now, we will continue to be able to provide all-wheel drive with the greatest possible safety in the future.

When it comes to driving, Subaru has reduced the lineup of the new Crosstrek: only a two-liter electric box is offered, the 1.6-liter engine without electric assistance is no longer available. The engine has been slightly revised and, at 100 kW (136 hp), it has even lost 14 hp compared to its predecessor. It receives support from an electric motor that is integrated in a continuous variable transmission and provides additional power with 13 kW of power and 66 Newton meters of torque.

The Crosstrek needs less than 11 seconds from a standstill to 100 km/h – that’s no sport, but it offers enough torque to drive smoothly, easily take steep climbs off-road or calmly exit curves on slippery surfaces. with all-wheel drive.

The chassis has been significantly improved

When changing direction quickly, increased torsional rigidity appears compared to its predecessor. The Crosstrek uses short directional changes more directly and cleanly than the XV. Despite the help of electricity, the boxer is not a miracle in terms of use. And 7.7 l/100 km and therefore 174 g CO₂/km Crosstrek is not at the highest levels of efficiency.

But it gets its marks and features on poor surfaces. The X-Mode program for driving off-road is on board as standard, which coordinates the all-wheel drive, engine response and transmission control, making it easier, for example, to drive on a road or stone. – without hurting the infection. .

The system also works when driving in reverse, allowing the Crosstrek to navigate steep inclines or climbs in a controlled manner without driver intervention. The large definition of the axle, which occurs when driving through the rocks near Vienna, also leaves the body cool – the doors can be easily opened and closed again even in many positions of the car.

New seats promise more comfort. They are more isolated from the body than before and are intended to reduce head and body movements caused by shock by up to 40 percent. This promises less back and neck pain, especially after long journeys.

The revised Eye View System is meant to bring more security, adding seven new assistants to the original seven features. The detection range of cameras and radar sensors was almost doubled. The central function is the emergency braking system, which automatically applies the emergency brakes at the end of a traffic jam – or when a pedestrian runs unexpectedly from the front of the car.

Subaru offers the Crosstrek in three equipment lines: Profit, Swiss Plus and Luxury. The price list starts at an average of 37,400 francs. The Impreza is available from 36,850 francs.