Geneva Debuts – 2016 Subaru XV Concept – Less Hideous, More Production-Ready

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Subaru has been bringing shockingly ugly concept cars to Europe for the big auto shows as long as anyone can remember.

We’re equally unimpressed by this concept’s detailing, style and design decisions.

As we were with the Viziv before.  Less repugnant… is still repugnant though.

The difference is, this new XV Concept model is actually very, very close to production form.  Strip away the fug-nasty orange trims, fake honeycomb LEDs and the pricey paintwork, and we could be looking at the next-gen XV Crosstrek.  Of course, we will also see door handles and a frumpier roofline.

The best angle is from the back, where the XV concept does look low and wide.  The rest of the angles are very curiously unappealing, even to a long-time Subaru fan.  The nose is particularly generic, yet slightly off-putting thanks to its giant underbite.

 

2016 Subaru XV Concept

 

 

“Subaru XV Concept” Makes World Debut at 2016 Geneva International Motor Show

Tokyo, March 1, 2016 － Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (FHI), the manufacturer of Subaru automobiles, today unveiled the Subaru XV Concept at the 2016 Geneva International Motor Show.

The Subaru XV Concept is a design concept car that embodies Subaru’s next-generation DYNAMIC X SOLID design philosophy in a compact crossover model. Its compact body features Subaru’s DYNAMIC X SOLID design elements, the powerful form of a crossover, and a quality feel beyond its class – previewing the design direction of the next-generation Subaru XV*.

*: “Crosstrek” in North American markets.

Main Features of Subaru XV Concept
The front, sides, and rear are seamlessly joined in the DYNAMIC X SOLID surface structure, creating a three-dimensional and solid body that is a feature of Subaru styling. The dynamism is enhanced by well-placed character lines on the compact body shape. The design expression of “Enjoyment and Peace of Mind”, the value that Subaru provides to its customers, is fully pursued within the limits of the compact crossover model body size. In the area of functionality essential to a Subaru car, excellent aerodynamic performance is teamed with the ample road clearance and luggage space required of a crossover vehicle, achieving blend of function and style.
Quality feel is raised by the “Glacier Khaki Silica” exterior color, a blue-gray new color exclusive to this concept model that evokes the glacier ice. Matte-black cladding running from the front bumper over the wheel arches and side sills to the rear bumper, together with orange highlights on the front grille, front and rear bumpers, aluminum wheels, and roof rails, accent the exterior color to emphasize the diverse character of the Subaru XV crossover.

 

●　Front
The Subaru look is seen in the Wide & Low stance with its sporty impression, and in the unified three-dimensional structure extending from the hexagonal grille that symbolizes the Subaru identity to the hawk-eye headlights echoing a Boxer engine motif. The front face plays the role of starting point from which the front flows via the sides to the rear, with each part uniting into a solid form. A pleasing balance of classy silver, matte black, and active orange on the strong shapes of the hexagonal grille and the bumper expresses the diverse character of this crossover vehicle.
●　Sides
The rich inflection of the character line extending from the front fender to the door panels and rear shoulder, and the line rising energetically toward the rear from the lower door panel, give dynamism to the solid body surface. The powerfully extended fender flares express the reliability of Subaru All-Wheel Drive. The matte-black cladding running from the front bumper over the wheel arches and side sills to the rear bumper creates a dynamic form expressing all the enjoyment to be expected from a crossover vehicle.

 

●　Rear
The rear combination lights sharing the same motif as the headlights, as well as the powerful shoulders over the rear fenders thrusting all the way toward the rear combination lights, express a Wide & Low stance similar to the front. The tightened cabin silhouette enhances the sporty impression of the nimble crossover style. Like the front bumper, the rear bumper features a pleasing balance of classy silver, matte-black, and active orange to express the diverse character of this crossover vehicle.

 

Main Specifications
Body size (overall length × width × height): 4,520 × 1,920 × 1,570 mm
Wheelbase: 2,670 mm
Tire size: 245/50 R19
Seating capacity: 5 persons