Subaru Australia says no to XV hybrid, again

WITH an all-new XV compact SUV on the launch pad for introduction next year, Subaru Australia is not about to add extra variants of the current model, especially of the mild-hybrid variety such as the STI-enhanced XV Hybrid tS special edition, that has just appeared in showrooms in Japan.

Instead, it will stick with its current petrol four-cylinder XV range until the new line-up arrives about the middle of next year, approximately six months after the debut of the related Impreza small car.

Both vehicles will sit on Subaru’s new global modular platform that will underpin all future Subaru models for the foreseeable future.

The Japanese company showed a concept of the next XV at this year’s Geneva motor show in March, revealing an evolutionary change to the exterior of the global small crossover vehicle.

Interestingly, the XV Concept featured orange highlights on wheels and roof rack – a trick that has been picked up for the current-model XV Hybrid tS just shown in Japan.

The orange theme appears on the 17-inch alloy wheels, front and rear spoilers, side skirts and badges, as well as seat bolsters, arm rests, dials and stitching on the leather-wrapped steering wheel and transmission shift knob.

Based on the mild-hybrid XV Hybrid that was ruled out for Australia where such vehicles have had a chequered sales history, the Hybrid tS gets a sports suspension from Subaru’s hot shop, STI (Subaru Tecnica International), bigger wheels and front suspension tower brace.

The powertrain remains unchanged, employing Subaru’s 2.0-litre boxer engine that produces 110kW of power and 196Nm of torque, running in tandem with a small electric motor attached to the continuously variable transmission (CVT).

As always with Subaru, the Hybrid tS puts the power down through the symmetrical all-wheel-drive system.

In Australia, Subaru has sold 4330 XVs this year to the end of June, up 8.7 per cent on last year.