Subaru Exiga: Crossover Wagon
Motoring Channel Staff - 18/June/2008
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Subaru Exiga
With a panoramic roof and huge side windows, the
Exiga is being marketed as a window to the world
Exiga Exports?Built in Japan, the new Exiga is an intriguing new model from Subaru, incorporating a number of European design elements. But
will the 7-seater wagon come to Oz? As yet, Subaru Australia has not made any firm decisions. We spoke to David Rowley,
Subaru's National Corporate Affairs Manager and though he said there's
no definite plan at present, he did mention that Subaru Australia was "interested
in it" and is "talking to Fuji [Heavy Industries]". "On
the surface we're interested in learning about it," said Mr Rowley, who
stated that because it sits on a different platform to the
Liberty/Outback, consideration needs to be given to "where it might fit
within our
range". - Feann Torr, Editor
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Combining classic Subaru's styling with an almost van-like tall body, the Exiga has a charm all its own
Power for the Subaru Exiga comes from 2.0-litre
engines, both with unforced and forced induction
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Ota, Japan
— Boasting three rows of seats and room for seven passengers, Subaru's Exiga has officially broken cover. In
addition to a dynamic new design and fuel efficient 2.0-litre
16-valve engines, the Exiga has a huge amount of glass: the windows are
large and there's also the option of a glass roof. This all-new model arrives ahead of Subaru's upcoming sports coupe, which will be a joint venture between Toyota and Subaru. The Exiga wagon went on sale in Japan yesterday, and takes its inspiration from the Exiga concept first shown at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show. Displaying
a contemporary design that borrows styling cues from both the
Subaru Liberty and Tribeca, the new model capitalises on Subaru's
"accumulated know-how from building wagons and
crossover SUVs". Subaru already has a 7-seater vehicle in the form of the Tribeca, so what's different about the Exiga? It's not as large as the Tribeca, with "a body size that’s convenient for maneuvering," says Subaru. It has also been designed to give all passengers "dramatic wide-angle
views through the windows" and it has Subaru's first panoramic glass roof. The "bright, open
interior space has been created for passengers in any seat to enjoy the
scenery outside" explains the car maker. Improved
ingress and egress make getting into and out of the vehicle easier, and
Subaru is also calling the new model one its quietest yet,as the "vehicle's low noise level allows all passengers to
easily converse". Adhering
to the Japanese car maker's philosophy of safety and security, all
Exiga models get AWD drivelines and feature advanced safety systems,
including theSubaru Dynamic Chassis Control Concept (Subaru DC3).
The new Subaru Exiga will be powered by Subaru's trademark boxer (a.k.a horizontally opposed) engines. Naturally aspirated and turbocharged 2.0-litre 4-cylinder boxer engines are offered to Japanese customers. Along with Subaru's own descriptions, the range is as follows:  2.0i - the basic model with selected standard equipment, priced in a more affordable range
2.0i-L - offers high quality finishes and expanded standard equipment 2.0i-S - the sporty model with a naturally aspirated engine, featuring dynamic powerful styling and interior designs 2.0 GT - the grand touring car that combines potent powertrain performance with environmental considerations The
2.0i, 2.0i-L and 2.0i-S are all powered by the naturally aspirated
4-cylinder boxer engines, which output around 110kW of power (148hp). Subaru's 2.0 GT model is the turbocharged hero model, complete with aggressive body work and the hood scoop, made famous by the Impreza WRX. It outputs an impressive 168kW of power (225hp).
No
manuals transmission appear to be offered which hints at the target
demographic Subaru is aiming for - families and middle-aged
buyers. Only automatic models are offered, with 4-speed
automatics for the three naturally aspirated Exiga models, which also
get Sportshift override functions. The turbo 2.0 GT Exiga
features a 5-speed automatic transmission which gets the Subaru
SI-Drive system and a variable torque distribution feature for the AWD. Subaru
Australia hasn't made any firm commitments to export the tall-bodied
Exiga from Japan, but it is looking closely at the new model and a
possible business case. With it's tall windows,
large panoramic glass roof and trademark safety levels, the Subaru
Exiga could develop into a family favourite. Related
articles:
- Subaru Impreza WRX (Road Test)
- Subaru
Liberty GT Spec.B - Tuned by STI (Road Test)
- Subaru Forester (2009)
- Subaru Liberty Diesel (2008)
- Subaru
Forester XT (Road Test)
- Subaru Impreza WRX STI (2008)
- Subaru Impreza Hatch
(2008)
- Subaru
Liberty & Outback (2008)
- Subaru
Tribeca (2008)
- Subaru Impreza World Rally Car (2008)
- Subaru
WRX - Tuned by STI (2007)
- Subaru
Liberty Blitzen (2006)
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