Subaru Vortex Reviews

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Hybrid cars and plans are popping up everywhere, from Porsche and Ferrari at the top end in Europe to the dozens of enthusiastic new carmakers led by Geely and BYD - the name means Build Your Dreams - in China.  We are also seeing far more efficiency in everyday petrol-powered cars, with a range of new technologies to boost economy and cut emissions.A growing number of new cars are now arriving with engine-stop systems for traffic-light efficiency, as well as driver-advisor systems to help pick the right gear. There is an Audi A4 in the Carsguide garage this week which does both and, even with a turbocharged petrol engine, is running fuel economy in the 7 litres/100km range.There is much more to come on the petrol-power front and the Toyota Prius, perhaps surprisingly since it's a hybrid, shows the way. Its 1.8-litre petrol engine is the first in the world without any sort of power-sapping drive belt for the parasitic add-ons, with electrically operated power steering and airconditioning, an on-demand alternator and an electric water pump.Expect all this, and soon, on cars for you.  Diesel engine development is going ahead very rapidly with most European brands - Volkswagen, Audi and Mercedes-Benz among them - touting some sort of Blue technology. So blue is the new green for diesels.The best new diesels are much quieter than in the past and, thanks to the massive advantages of turbocharging, they have huge pulling power. Torque rules in the real world, where you need punch for overtaking and stoplight drags, and that makes diesels the surprising performance choice for a growing range of vehicles.It's easy to go on and on about the engine changes, from Benz's switch from superchargers to turbochargers and BMWs impressive efficiency developments to the small-capacity winners from brands such as Nissan, but the long-term green path is into electric cars.  Australia has yet to see its first commercial electric car but the race is really on now, with Mitsubishi and Tesla expected to both have plug-in cars on the road before the end of the year.An electric Smart will arrive sometime in 2011 and Subaru is keen to have a battery car in Australia as soon as possible, with other brands also working on plans.  But the green machine will run off the rails if governments do not act - and act soon - to give them support. Electric cars need plug-in points, but that's the obvious and easy stuff being pushed today by the Better Place organisation and many others.The real key to sales of electric cars is some sort of Federal incentive, like the ones in Europe and the USA. Nobody by a full-on greenie is going to pay around $70,000 for a Mitsubishi iMiEV when a petrol-powered Colt, which is a similar size and does a similar job, starts from $15,740.Follow Paul Gover on Twitter!

The specially developed apps will play video and animations to demonstrate mechanical packages, safety equipment and a host of other details.  The iPhones will also be able to transmit and play the apps on the larger format of any nearby 'Subaru TV' screens.  While geeks might argue that the iPhone is about to be upstaged by the just-released - and larger - iPad, Subaru managing director Nick Senior says the phone's smaller screen is what makes it ideal.  "We like the portability of the iPhone, because you tend to carry your phone everywhere.  Within the showroom it gives a salesperson the opportunity to demonstrate Subaru's features, and when the showroom closes it is still with them."However the iPad is one of the things that down the line we can certainly look at."  Senior says the iPhone and Subaru TV initiative is part of 'All 4 the Driver' - a larger focus on improving the customer experience.  "For example, we're introducing Drive It Your Way, which gives customers much more flexibility in test driving our cars," he says."Our retailers will be offering specific, mapped drive programs. In some cases, for added convenience, some retailers will also be offering overnight drives or the opportunity to have a car delivered to a customer's preferred address.  "Another example of All 4 the Driver in action will be the simplified, plain English billing that customers will see when getting their car serviced.  We won't confuse with technical terms, code numbers and jargon. The idea is to be as transparent as possible in all our communications, both written and verbal." Senior says about 2000 Subaru Australia and showroom staff have already attended All 4 the Driver training programs, and elements will rolled out over the rest of this year. "It's an entire philosophy that we are rolling out, with the clear aim of ensuring a culture that's united in its passion for putting customers first," Senior says.

Its adventurous nature is signalled by cues like the black wheel arch mouldings, roof rails and taller ground clearance – 30mm higher than the standard Imprezas.It also gets a revised grille, rear spoiler, 16-in alloy wheels, exhaust cover and sports bucket seats with ‘mocha accents to distinguish it from other variants’ – and possibly also because it’s a great colour to disguise when you’ve brought some of that adventurous outdoors back into the cabin.  The fit-out includes Bluetooth, iPod-compatible 10-speaker audio system and leather trim to steering wheel, handbrake and gearstick.Priced from $27,490 – with a $2000 premium to add a four-speed automatic transmission – the XV is powered by the 2.0-litre boxer engine carried by the Impreza R, RX and RS, mated to a five-speed manual with Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel drive.The XV is designed to “carry on the spirit of the previous Sportswagon and RV, but with some youthful styling cues that we are confident will add a new dimension to our small car range,” says Subaru Australia managing director Nick Senior.He says the carmaker expects the newcomer to add 100 sales per month to Impreza’s tally.

There are a lot of reasons why you would buy the Subaru Forester 2.0 diesel, and really only a single one that might prevent you.  The hurdle is the six-speed manual transmission, which is noticeably notchy when you first shake hands with it and – while it becomes more pleasant on further acquaintance – is hard to warm to.EngineBut that out of the way, one of the first reasons to put the Forester on your compact SUV list is the new engine. It’s the four-cylinder turbo-diesel boxer (flat) unit from the Outback, which claims a combined fuel economy of 6.4L/100km, dropping to 5.7L on the highway and still maintaining a creditable 7.5L around town. That frugal thirst results in emissions of just 168g/km of CO2 (151g/km highway), which puts it well in range of many mid-sized passenger cars.But it’s no wimp, developing 108kW of power at 3600 revs and 350Nm of torque from 1800-2400 revs – with just 10Nm less at a very low 1600 revs. That helps it to a 1600kg braked towing capacity, which is 200kg more muscle than its naturally aspirated petrol siblings.  And that torque is going to all four wheels with Subaru’s signature all-wheel drive system.Package and safetyThe Forester is roomy for its size, with plenty of legroom front and rear, and ample cargo space for a few suitcases even before you think of putting the rear seat down.The cabin is comfortable and well-designed, with the only downsides being the flattish seats, and Subaru’s insistence on a satin metalised dash insert that stands out loudly from what is otherwise a well-shaped sweep of dash.  The SUV’s extra ground clearance makes for a high-ish load level into the back, but its easily manageable.A five-star ANCAP crash rating has been given to the strengthened and reinforced body and its battery of safety technology, including stability and traction control, active headrests, anti-lock brakes with brake assist and brake force distribution, plus dual front/side/curtain airbags.Price and equipmentThe standard Forester is priced from $35,990 and kitted out 17-in alloy wheels, self-levelling suspension, DataDot security, roof rails and a four-speaker CD/audio player system.The $39,990 Premium level adds 17-in alloys, electric sunroof, leather upholstery, tinted glass, a CD six-stacker, eight-way power adjustment on the driver’s seat, and self-levelling xenon headlights with pop-up washers.DrivingOver the past few years we’ve become fairly used to the voice of diesel engines – some have even started to sound enjoyable. The Forester’s turbo-diesel isn’t yet one of them, but only because it’s let down by some clatter appearing at lower revs. This becomes muted once you get further under way, and wasn’t noticeable at all until we turned the stereo off.But the sound is secondary to the substance. And this engine steps up to the plate. It’s strong and tractable, with more torque than we could soak up on the test drive through hilly roads both on and off the blacktop.  The steering was responsive, although it felt oddly light over the dirt roads.And while we were pleased with the Forester’s ride and well-balanced manners on the sealed surfaces, it was on the sections of potholed and corrugated dirt that it really proved its strengths.  These are the kind of washboard stretches that could have lesser vehicles skittering around like marbles on a vibraplate, but the Forester handled it all capably.You could feel the surfaces, no question, despite the best efforts of the suspension. But there was never any hint that they would unsettle the little SUV’s composure, and we zoomed over them in perfect confidence.Subaru originally launched the Forester as ‘the city car for dirty weekends’. We’re not sure about the city life with that manual gearbox, but there’s no doubt that for anybody who wants to get beyond the urban boundaries – fishing in secret spots or heading down little-used tracks to remote beaches – this is a vehicle to consider.Subaru Forester 2.0 dieselPrice: from $35,990Engine: 2.0-litre turbodiesel four-cylinderTransmission: six-speed manual

Called Eyesight, the idiot-proof high-tech safety system is currently being tested by Subaru Australia.  It is expected to be rolled out locally next year on high-end Liberty/Outback models. The Subaru device is similar to Volvo's City Safety in its ability to recognise potential road hazards and alert the driver.  However, unlike Volvo's system, Subaru uses two cameras located near the rear view mirror rather than a laser. "The reason it's called Eyesight is because the stereo cameras replicate human eyesight," according to Subaru Australia technical services manager, Derek Ashby.  Its inventors say the cameras are better able to recognise the complex road environment, from white lines, to barriers, people and bicycles. Eyesight can avoid frontal collisions, lane drifting and low-speed impacts.  It is currently available in Liberty, Outback and Exiga models in Japan for about $1200.  Like humans, the system requires clear weather to work properly. In rain or bright direct sunlight its performance is diminished.  "It needs clear vision just as people do," Ashby says. Subaru has been testing a third-generation version here for the past nine months to program more local driving conditions into it.  They have towed a caravan with it and driven the Outback test car extensively on dirt roads. Eyesight's two digital cameras feed information into a micro-processor above the windscreen.  It locks on to any vehicle in front and when used with the adaptive cruise control, will slow, stop or accelerate the car. Like City Safety, it will also apply the brakes in stop-start traffic to prevent crashing into the back of other vehicles.  Other party tricks include lane departure warning and sway warning.  It will also stop a driver from accidentally driving into a carpark wall if they accident hit the accelerator instead of the brake, even if a forward gear is engaged. The system will also beep at inattentive drivers to let them know the vehicle in front has moved away from traffic lights or an intersection.  A pre-crash function will brake the car to a complete stop below 30km/h to avoid low-speed collisions. Subaru also says it will also work at speeds above 30km/h and up to 50km/h with minimal damage.  Eyesight has been developed in conjunction with Hitachi.

But peak motoring body the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries believes consumers are confused enough to warrant a broad-ranging education program about what ESC is and what it does.The Transport Accident Commission has already been running an ad highlighting the merits of curtain airbags and ESC. It has been endeavouring to lift awareness among buyers about what they do, via websites like howsafeisyourcar.com.au.But with Victoria moving ahead for the compulsory fitting of ESC to all passenger cars from January, the FCAI believes now is the time to increase awareness among car buyers.Despite TAC's efforts some carmakers like Honda believe consumers are still confused by the different acronyms used to describe the various systems. However, FCAI spokesman, James Goodwin, believes it will be difficult to mandate a single naming strategy."It comes down to marketing," he says. "All systems are different to some degree."Goodwin also believes it would cost too much to standardise the terminology on imported cars because the volumes are relatively small. Carmakers use different terms for the proprietary electronic stability program invented by Bosch and co-developed with Mercedes-Benz.Subaru Australia spokesman, David Rowley, says Subaru's own research shows a higher awareness among buyers of its own electronic stability control system, called vehicle dynamic control."Our customers tend to look in depth at the features of our cars," Rowley says. He backs an education program as “something worth considering" but balks at a name change. "A lot a brands have invested a lot of intellectual time in creating a point of difference with their various stability systems," he says.What they call it -Electronic Stability Control (ESC) - Holden, HSV, JeepElectronic Stability Program (ESP) - Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes Benz, Renault, Chrysler, Citroen, Dodge, Skoda, Peugeot, SuzukiDynamic Stability Control (DSC) - Ford, FPV, BMW, Mazda, Land Rover, Aston Martin, JaguarVehicle Dynamic Integrated Management (VDIM) - ToyotaVehicle Stability Control (VSC) - LexusVehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) - Nissan, SubaruDynamic Stability and Traction Control (DSTC) - VolvoElectronic Stabilisation Program (ESP) - Audi, VolkswagenActive Stability Control (ASC) - MitsubishiVehicle Stability Assist (VSA)- HondaAutomatic Stability Control + Traction (ASC+T)  MiniMaserati Stability Program (MSP) - MaseratiPorsche Stability Management (PSM) - PorscheStability and Traction Control - FiatStabiliTrak -Hummer

With Toyota and Nissan planning two-wheel drive versions of their popular RAV4 and X-Trail, Subaru Australia boss, Nick Senior, is adamant the Forester and Outback will not join them.  Despite a trend to two-wheel drive off-roaders Subaru "will remain firmly with symmetrical all-wheel drive", he says.Senior describes the current crop of pretend off-roaders as TUVs - Toy Utility Vehicles.  However, stripping out expensive all-wheel drive hardware can save as much as $3000 and help lower fuel consumption and emissions.Some front-wheel drive compact off-roaders, like the Nissan Dualis, are now outselling their all-wheel drive cousins.  Toyota will add a front-drive RAV4 this week to join the front-drive Kluger and Nissan is planning a front-drive X-Trail later this year.Both will save weight and improve fuel economy.  The front-drive RAV4 is tipped to be about 100kg lighter and the X-Trail is lose a similar amount of weight.Nissan Australia boss, Dan Thompson, is confident the front driver X-Trail will help expand its appeal.  "You only have look at the success of Hyundai with its Tucson City," he says.Both the RAV4 and X-Trail are expected to be available for under $30,000.  Thompson says that many buyers appreciate the higher driving position of an off-roader but do not necessarily need all-wheel drive.He is aiming to repeat the success of the company's front drive Dualis, which now accounts for 80 per cent of all Dualis sales.  When it was launched it was available only as an all-wheel drive and sales were sluggish. Apart from the RAV4 and X-Trail, Honda is looking at its options for the CR-V.  Honda spokesman, Mark Higgins, says the company may consider a front drive CR-V "but it would have to have a significant price advantage to make sense".The CR-V is mostly front-wheel drive but uses a "real-time" all-wheel drive system in off-road conditions.  After Subaru Australia went all-wheel drive back in 1998 it has never looked back.  The move helped it become the third biggest Subaru market globally after Japan and the United States. Faux front-drive off-roadersHolden Captiva 5Mazda CX7Kia SportageHyundai ix35Renault KoleosNissan DualisToyota Kluger

But even if not a sure thing, you wouldn’t bet big against it.  Within days of the traumatic three-car incident that smashed both a fair amount of the screaming Mazda RX-8 SP competing in this year’s rally – and any hopes of the car finishing  –  Mazda Motorsport’s formidable boss, Allan Horsley, had begun to think not of what might have been (that would be challenging the eventual winning Lamborghini Gallardo Super Trofeo Strada), but what will be…In the wake of that trauma, Horsley’s team directed its full focus into Mazda’s second entry, the Mazda3 MPS driven by Brendan Reeves and navigated by his sister Rhianon Smyth. In this they achieved second in the Showroom class and a little less than astonishing ninth overall. Not only was it the fastest front-wheel-drive, it licked Porsches, Evos, WRXs and an Audi TT-RS.No mean feat over five days, 40 stages and 2000km of competitive driving in often appallingly, all too Tasmanian autumn conditions piloting what one of the crew wryly described as a “turbo, front drive shopping trolley”.“For those people who think that a two-wheel drive can’t perform in the wet, just look at Brendan and Rhianon’s result,” said Horsley, a figure of local motor racing legend, who has never been constrained by convention. “With the best car, the best crew and the best team behind them – anything is possible.”The “best car” in the entire Targa, Mazda would argue, was not the weepingly expensive Lambo, though this was the one that captured not only the Targa title, but the hearts and minds of the spectating public.   Going into the third day, the Mazda team confidence that this Targa could be theirs was evident.This Horsley special RX-8’s bantam 1280kg and forced induction rotary engine imbued it with lynx-like agility through Tasmania’s endless twisties into which it was able to brake, according to driver Steve Glenney, some 100 metres later than certain rivals.When the going got straight, however, it couldn’t hope to match the kilometre-crushing Lambo. Already, though, Horsley is onto solutions to extract more in 2011.That engine – or at least its essential ingredients – will be housed in a newly-built RX-8 SP after an incident 11.6km into the Mount Roland leg that made one of the Targa’s most spectacular stages memorable for all the wrong reasons. But for the razor reflexes of Glenney, it might have also have been the site of a tragedy.Pouring into the first bend of a double apex right hander near the peak of the mount – not too far from where Eric Bana memorably came to grief a few years back – Launceston’s Simon Froude struck oil on the road and speared his Porsche 911 into the “cheese grater” steel cable that stands between competitors and likely oblivion in the form of an almost sheer drop.With the Porsche snagged by the front axle, its nose pointed towards the heavens, the crew of the next car through – David Ayers and Robbie Bolton in their Nismo 400R – halted as per race regulations and rushed to their aid.Then Glenney, with navigator Bernie Webb, poured through at perhaps 160km/h. With a split second to react, Glenney flung the car about and went into back of the Nismo, left three quarters first – a brilliant manoeuvre that surely saved himself and Webb from disaster. But not the RX-8 SP.“It was running beautifully,’’ Webb lamented as we waited for the flatbed to retrieve the shattered Mazda from the mountain road that now seemed even wetter and colder. “We’d had issues, but we’d overcome them. We’re out through no fault of our own.”By race’s end on Sunday afternoon, the Mazda crew, though ebullient over the MPS, knew they’d be back in 2011 to take care of what they clearly regard as unfinished business.Besides, what matters the 19th event when you can win the 20th and bequeath to the buying public an RX-8 SP 20th Targa (very) special edition?  You wouldn’t bet against it.In the meantime, we drivers of keenness, but infinitely less ability, can approximate in street legal form the Mazda Targa experience without access to car manufacturer’s racing budget.Every inch a rival for Volkswagen’s award-winning Golf GTI, the Mazda3 MPS starts from similar money - $38,435 – and packs an output that towers over the VW’s: the Japanese entrant rings 190kW and 380Nm from its turbo-charged four potter, over the German’s 155kW/280Nm.The RX-8, meanwhile, remains the world’s only mass –produced rotary engined car. While the version available to you and I comes without the Motorsport’s turbo-charger, but it does rev past 8000rpm and, from $55,715 (though you really want the $57,778 GT), seems unbelievably reasonable for something unique.

Loading and unloading the toddler into and out of a variety of cars, from a $19,990 scoot-about coupe to a $250,000 laze-about limo, teaches a lot about design and comfort and even window tinting and aircon outlets. These little things become just as important as ride comfort and cornering grip when you're trying not to unsettle a youngster who has just started dozing for the first time in the day. One jerky downshift, or a rocking-rolling response to the brakes, can easily undo all the good work.I can now see why so many mums want a compact SUV in the driveway, as the latest Subaru Outback ticks almost all the family boxes. The Japanese company's first diesel engine is never going to rival a Volkswagen, and is lacklustre at low revs, but the rest of the package is ideal when you have prams and change bags and swimming gear and more to lug about - as well as a back-seat entertainment package that runs from a custom carseat to hanging toys, mirrors, books, soft toys and more.My Eli testing over the past fortnight also reveals that a Mercedes S-Class is not as big as I think once the youngster and all his gear is on board, and that it is just about impossible to get a chunky chappie into a carseat in the back of a Kia Koup without a few tears and tangles. The Benz is nice, but the Outback is better for family use and I would actually prefer the latest Jaguar XJ if I was buying a car for my garage. But that's another story.The break also allowed me some driving time with my own car, and personal motoring touchstone. It's a 1980s Subaru Brumby ute which has seen better days and is slowly falling to the creeping touch of car cancer. The rust is not critical yet, but I have to make a decision soon before the faithful workhorse becomes critical. For people who don't know, or cannot remember, the Brumby is a baby ute that was a hero for Subaru in the days before the Impreza WRX became a worldwide icon and the company transformed into an SUV powerhouse with the Forester and Outback. The Forester is slow, basic and huge fun. It has a four-speed gearbox, a wheezy 1.8-litre engine, so-so brakes and - despite some Pedders tweaking - suspension which will never even rival today's Hyundai Getz.So why do I love it? Because it needs to be driven, and it reminds me of all the good things in modern cars. Any quick-start 2010 car is a dream compared to an ancient Subaru that usually needs a jump-start assist after sitting for a couple of months, as well as plenty of warming before it tackles any hillls. The Brumby is nothing special to drive and that's what makes it special. It reminds me every time of the days when I began driving and also serves as a brilliant benchmark of the progress over the past 25 years.Follow Paul Gover on Twitter!