Subaru Vortex Reviews

AudiNew models: A6, R8 GT, TT RS, RS5Concept car: K8 e-tronBentleyNew models: Continental GT, MulsanneBMWConcept car: Vision EfficientDynamicsFordNew models: Falcon EcoLPi, Focus, Ranger Wildtrak, Mondeo EcoBoostConcept car: Mad Max 3/4 clay modelOn sale announcements: New Territory Diesel, FalconHoldenNew models: Ecoline Series II Cruze, Commodore, CaptivaConcept car: ColoradoHondaNew models: CR-Z Coupe, CivicHyundaiNew models: Elantra, Accent, i40, VelosterConcept car: HND-6JaguarNew models: XF diesel, XKR-S, XKR-S Coupe, XJ Supersport, XFRKia New models: Rio 5 Door Hatch, PicantoLamborghiniNew model: LP 700-4 AventadorLand RoverNew models: Freelander 2, Defender, Range Rover Evoque and SportLexusNew model: LFAConcept car: LF-Gh HybridMaseratiNew models: GranTurismo MC Stradale, GranCabrio SportOn sale announcements: Quattroporte 4.2MazdaNew models: BT-50, Mazda3Concept cars: Minagi, ShinariMercedes-BenzNew models: SLK, C-Class Coupe, CLSMitsubishiConcept car: PX MiEVOn sale announcement: i-MiEV MY12 EVNissanNew model: LeafPorscheNew model: Cayman RSkodaNew models: Fabia, YetiSubaruNew model: ImprezaConcept car: XV racing, Liberty B4 GT300SuzukiConcept car: Swift SToyotaNew models: Yaris, HiluxConcept cars: FT-86 II, Prius-C, Prius-VVolkswagenNew models: Caddy, Touareg, Jetta, Scirocco RVolvoNew models: V60 diesel plug-in hybrid, S60

The company’s general manager of overseas sales and marketing, Mitsuro Takada, apologises for the delay. “We would like to express our gratitude at offers of assistance from Australia,” he said.“It is a key market for Subaru and the delay in the 2012 Impreza is disappointing.”When it does arrive the Impreza promises more space from the same footprint.The 2012 models now rides on a bigger wheelbase but the overall dimensions are virtually unchanged from the previous cars.The growth in wheelbase has added 50mm to rear seat legroom, along with more space for hips and shoulders, and let the engineers fit bigger doors front and rear to improve getting in and out of the cars.The bigger interiors are wrapped in new soft-touch plastics and a central infotainment systems handles the in-car controls. The 2-litre boxer engine produces 110kW/196Nm and is matched to a continuously variable transmission or six-speed manual. The side mirrors have been moved from the A-pillars to the doors and are nearly 25 per cent bigger.The sedan’s boot arms are now repositioned within the boot interior trim to stop them hitting items when the boot is fully loaded.The final Australian specs have yet to be set, but the US entry level model has power windows, door locks and side mirrors, a 60/40-split/fold rear seat, outside temperature gauge, a multi-function display with fuel economy information, remote keyless entry, security system with engine immobilizer, tilt/telescopic steering wheel, variable intermittent windscreen wipers and a low windscreen washer fluid warning light.Stepping up the range adds alloy wheels, steering wheel-mounted audio and Bluetooth controls and connections for iPods, USB sticks and a 3.5mm audio jack.Subaru expects the 2012 models to be more fuel efficient than the current car but it is yet to undergo ADR fuel consumption testing.

…car makers at this year’s show are bringing out their brightest, biggest and newest to amaze and delight. Here are just some of the highlights: BMW VISION ED: The headliner at the show is a technology hero first, but is also a great looker that points to the future design direction at BMW. FORD TERRITORY: There are plenty of SUVs at the show, and Holden and Mazda have concept utes, but the Aussie wagon is the one to see. It shows Ford’s new design direction and brings an efficient diesel to local car making. HYUNDAI VELOSTER: Fun is returning to the Korean brand, thanks to a compact coupe that looks great and should be better to drive than earlier two-door Hyundais. LAMBORGHINI AVENTADOR: Outrageous, outrageous, outrageous. The new Italian stallion looks wicked and has the V12 engine and all-wheel drive to convert show to go. MERCEDES-BENZ SLK: A bright new convertible to wipe away the winter blues. The third-generation SLK is being previewed with the C-Class coupe. TOYOTA FT-86 II: The countdown to Toyota’s make-or-break sports car is into the final stages, with the FT-86 concept now in its second generation. It could wear Celica badges when it hits the road in 2012. SUBARU XV: It could be the next Forester but it’s not. Instead, the XV previews an all-new – and much more youthful – direction for a baby SUV that will be built from the basics of the new Impreza, also at the show. PORSCHE CAYMAN R: The lighter and faster pocket rocket in the Porsche family. The Cayman has been tweaked for speed and hogs the spotlight while Porsche prepares for its all-new 911 this year.

….but this car is a Subaru Liberty. Well, sort of.

…and it’s not just the GT300 version of the Liberty, specially imported from the Japanese touring car championship, that puts some extra punch into its line-up. Instead, they will come face-to-face with the new small-car direction from the Japanese brand. The all-new Impreza and XV concept are two of the headliners in a new three-car small-car strategy. The Impreza is going upmarket, the XV will be translated from a concept car into a new baby SUV sitting below the Forester, and the WRX and STi will move away as a separate sports car duo. "The change started last year when the separation of WRX and STi from Impreza began. So those cars have taken on a life of their own," explains Nick Senior, managing director of Subaru Australia. "In future there will be a clear separation from our small-car contenders and our sporty car. This allows the Impreza to become a strong identity in its own right." Senior refuses to confirm the production timing for the XV, even though Subaru already says it will become a future addition to its line-up. "It’s on the new Impreza platform but it then becomes a stand-alone compact SUV," Senior says. The motor show is a giant event for Subaru, which has a lot of fresh contenders and is also fighting to rebuild after the Japanese earthquake and tsunami in March. "I’m a big fan of having one major show a year. I also think that having it in July is a good time of the year," Senior says. "We normally have a sales peak in June and there is traditionally a bit of a letdown in July. The show potentially gives us all some impetus in quarter three. "The show is now bigger and better and we’ll get more rub-off. The new date distances it from some of the other major shows overseas as well." Senior says the Impreza is the most-important newcomer and shows Subaru’s move towards a bigger, cushier and higher-quality compact car. "Melbourne is the first showing of the right-hand-drive car, and only the second time in the world it’s been shown after New York. We’ll have both the four-door sedan and the five-door hatch. "It’s an early preview of a step change for Subaru. With only one motor show a year we’ve taken the decision to get it to Australia and create some excitement. "This is our largest-ever commitment to a motor show in Australia. We’ve never taken this much space (and) we’ve never had a concept car that points to the future – as well as a new Impreza, some new EyeSight technology and a Japanese GT racing car – all in the same place at the same time."

Subaru Australia’s managing director Nick Senior says feedback from the Concept unveiled on the 2011 Australian motor show stand "will gauge the level of possible customer interest in such a car". First shown at the Shanghai Motor Show in April, the XV follows in the off-road tyre tracks of the Forester and Outback."It promises to be a totally new offering. The XV Concept was warmly received in Shanghai and based on the long-term success of Forester and Outback, we can see this type of vehicle could have huge potential in pursuing a new niche in Australia,’’ Senior says. "The XV Concept is fashionable, practical and underpinned by new-generation Subaru technology and we’re hopeful there will be a lot of interest."Compared with the Forester, the XV Concept is 110mm shorter at 4450mm, 5mm wider (at 1800mm), 50mm lower (at 1620mm) and has a wheelbase that is 20mm longer at 2635mm. The XV Concept is powered by the latest generation 2.0-litre engine and drives all wheels through a CVT system.The XV Concept will also make its debut with the first showing of Subaru’s third-generation safety system, EyeSight. Australia will become the first overseas market for the advanced technology, which has already achieved major sales success in Japan. EyeSight is a driver assistance system combining active, passive and preventative safety technologies.It uses minute stereo cameras located in a single compact unit near the rear-view mirror to recognise a variety of potential road hazards and alert the driver. Senior says Subaru is the first Japanese brand to offer such a comprehensive camera system. "There are some aspects of the technology that have previously only been available in premium cars that are around four times more expensive," he says. 

..was a headturner at the Australian International Motor Show. The five-door XV Concept concept is an evolution of Subaru’s sports utility range, now topped by the Forester and Outback. The XV runs on the 2012 Impreza drivetrain, with a 2-litre boxer engine matched to a continuously variable transmission to produce 110kW/196Nm. It is smaller than the Outback, with a length of 4450mm and a wheelbase of 2635mm. Subaru Australia’s Nick Senior said there are no productions plans as yet, but the huge reception at the Shanghai Motor Show earned it a tick.

“The XV concept is a stepping stone for all new Subarus.” spokesman David Rowley says. “There are distinct possibilities for a new trend in sub-contact SUV’S ... the challenge is making them more affordable.” The XV Concept - that will be at the Australian International Motor Show - reveals that Subaru intends to grab even more of the growing compact end of the SUV market. While pointing out the success of the Forester and Outback, the Japanese carmaker will also be eyeing the Hyundai ix35, which took top spot in May with 1035 sales – just 31 ahead of the popular Forester. Like the current AWD Impreza XV, the five seater XV Crossover Concept is powered by a standard 2.0 litre, 110kW boxer engine. Though not yet confirmed it is likely to include a five-speed manual gearbox. Power is delivered to the XV’s all-wheel drive system through a Lineartronic CVT system. The Subaru XV crossover concept will be on display at the motor show in Melbourne from July 1-10.

Carsguide has driven the current heroes and hopefuls.

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