fortune some instances, just downright dangerous for the inexperienced.
Over in Indonesia, poor road conditions and regular flash floods mean that tough, high ground clearance multi-purpose or sports utility vehicles( SUVs) are preferred over lower riding passenger cars.
“ I have nothing to hide with the XV, this is exactly how the car will be used by customers and I want you to experience it in its elements,” said Glenn Tan, executive director of Tan Chong International Limited, which owns Motor Image.
Subaru doesn’ t like to call its permanent all wheel drive( AWD) XV an SUV but a crossover instead, reserving the former for its higher range Tribeca and Forester models.
The loosely defined crossover term is a bit of a misnomer, an amalgamation of a 4x4, hatchback and estate car.
Chrysler says its defunct AMC brand’ s 1972 Eagle created the crossover genre. The fact is that seven years earlier, Subaru was the first to install all wheel drive capability on a passenger car, a high ground clearance Subaru Leone estate. Engineering centric and less marketing savvy, Subaru was an often forgotten progenitor of the crossover genre, a fact that the XV will correct.
With 220mm of air beneath its undercarriage, the XV
SpECifiCaTiOnS
Subaru XV 2.0i
( Malaysia market model)
Engine 2-litre, doHC 16-valve fourcylinder horizontally opposed
Max power 148hp @ 6,200rpm
Max torque 196nm @ 4,200rpm
Transmission all wheel drive, CVt
Fuel consumption 7.9 litres / 100 km( manufacturer’ s figure, combined cycle)
Safety dual front airbags, driver’ s knee airbag, aBs with EBD and BA, Isofix
Price rm145,070( otr with insurance)
crossover actually clears dirt trails better than many so-called SUVs, as it is 50mm higher than the next nearest competing SUV model. As for concerns on the tall ride height compromising ride and handling, a testament of the XV’ s ride comfort is when rear passengers were soundly asleep when this writer was at the wheel negotiating Ubud’ s
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