Motoring Special

Comfortable crossover

May 27 - June 2, 2015
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Gulf Weekly Comfortable crossover

Gulf Weekly Stan Szecowka
By Stan Szecowka

I HAVE a couple of pals back in the UK who swear by Subaru and wouldn’t drive anything-else.

One is so dedicated he once went on a waiting list for an upgraded model and the other was smitten by the success of the Subaru World Rally Team during the 1990s and to this day remains a disciple to the marque.

So, it is with some surprise, that I haven’t seen more on the highways of the kingdom, especially as many of my Bahraini friends are fiercely loyal to Japanese brands when it comes to buying cars, convinced that they really know the market and build vehicles that can cope with the climate.

I know they would all particularly love the air conditioning unit on the superb Subaru XV I test drove and if Motor City has anything to do with it, the message will soon be clear and concise that they have a real contender to offer in the marketplace.

As the weather warms up the dual-zone automatic air conditioning system will keep you cool although this was not the only thing to blow me away as far as this smart and comfortable crossover was concerned, especially if you’re looking for a family school-run vehicle.

Safety credentials are such an important aspect of buying a car here and the XV has received an overall 5-star rating following front, side and rollover tests. It also ranks, for example, at the top of its class in US Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) tests and was chosen as a Top Safety Pick.

Symmetrical All Wheel Drive is a full-time four-wheel drive system developed by Subaru. It consists of a longitudinally-mounted boxer engine coupled to a symmetrical drivetrain with equal length half-axles. The combination of the layout with a flat engine and transmission balanced over the front axle provides optimum weight distribution with a low centre of gravity, improving car handling characteristics.

Since power goes to all four wheels all the time, there’s a stability to the XV that rivals the Swiss currency, one motoring scribe suggested, describing it as ‘controlled, composed and still fairly comfortable’ even on dirt roads – and there’s a few of those on the island!

Ground clearance is impressive and because of that flat 4-cylinder 2-litre engine, the XV’s centre of gravity is still the best in its class. A low centre of gravity helps with that feeling of stability and brings a liveliness to the ride.

The XV also comes standard with an antilock braking system, electronic traction and stability control and electronic brake assist which prevent brake lock if you suddenly have to crunch the pedal because a fool has suddenly swerved into your lane without warning … surprise, surprise how so many cars in Bahrain appear to have lost the use of their indicators!

The message seems to be spreading. Motor City has just delivered a fleet of 13 new Subaru XV’s to Axis Rent a Car.
Inside the cabin is clean and smart and the basic model’s 6.2-inch screen could be used for settings, audio and blue-tooth for hands-free calling, as well as voice command.

With a wide luggage area, it handles cargo for your weekend hauls and the 60/40 split rear seats easily fold individually or together to offer even more space and a neat way to take your kid’s bike to the race track for the annual Wheelathon, I reckon.

It starts at a cool price too, BD8,000. Call Motor City on 17736222 for more details or call into the showroom opposite Sitra Mall.







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