NEWS: Subaru Launch Limited Edition XV 'Black'

One of the most over-looked cars in recent years has got to be Subaru's super XV, which we loved in our test in the last Subaru special of Road Magazine.
Maybe this limited run edition of the XV – a Black Edition – will help make people give it the attention it deserves...? It certainly looks great!
The limited run model with a choice of 2.0-litre Boxer diesel engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission, or the 2.0-litre Boxer petrol unit and a Lineartronic automatic transmission, has "visual changes to boost the XV’s rugged, go-anywhere appeal" and still offers the XV's statute as the highest Euro NCAP safety rating in its class, with an attractive price from £24,495 (OTR).

The special is exclusively finished in Crystal Black Silica paint, and offers front, rear and side silver-resin underguards, front and rear mudflaps, a cargo step panel and a foldable cargo tray. Whilst inside, the Black model is fitted with heavy-duty rubber floor mats.
The All-Wheel-Drive XV Black is priced at £24,495 (on-the-road) for the 2.0i Lineartronic and £24,995 for the 2.0 Boxer diesel, and is based on the existing SE model. Motorists will pay just £1,000 for all the extras fitted as standard to the XV Black, which – if fitted separately as options to other models in the range – would total over £1,600, meaning the new Limited Edition model offers both exclusivity and value for money.
Subaru say: "The XV enjoys a class-leading five-star Euro NCAP crash safety rating and at 90%, one of the highest scores for child occupant protection ever recorded, making it ideal for young families.
Perfectly suited to everyday use in an urban or out of town environment, the ‘go anywhere’ XV combines the highest ground clearance of any vehicle in its segment with the lowest centre of gravity.  Efficient engines and lightweight body mean the XV is able to return a 50.4mpg on the combined cycle and emits only 146 g/km CO₂ (2.0-litre diesel models).
"The new XV Black Limited Edition features Subaru’s typically generous standard equipment levels, including Subaru’s standard-fit Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) system, providing world-class hazard avoidance capabilities. Other standard features include front, side, curtain and knee airbags, 17-inch alloy wheels, daytime running lights, heated front seats, wiper de-icers, cruise control, folding door mirrors, dual-zone air-conditioning, rear view safety camera, Bluetooth, HID headlamps, and rear privacy glass."
Check it out! And see more pictures on our Facebook page.

Subaru XV Black Limited Edition

Model	Price OTR (£)	CO2 g/km	VED band
XV 2.0i Black Lineartronic	£24,495	153	G
XV 2.0D Black manual	£24,995	146	F

NEWS: New Upgraded Subaru Outback Launched

One of the most under-rated cars ever made and the vehicle that began the 'crossover' concept back in 1996 – Subaru's Outback – has been upgraded for 2014.
We drove the outgoing model on a 1,500 Alpine road trip earlier this year (read that here), and it was faultless, so expectations for the re-vamped model (which we are testing here very soon) are extremely high.
The already infamous world's only 2.0-litre Boxer Diesel is now mated to Subaru's smooth Lineartronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) for the first time, helping the beefy Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive Subaru return 44.8mpg and just 166/km CO2. Although a six-speed manual is still also available.
It's also had a visual refresh, inside and out – which goes some way to improve perhaps its worst asset, looks. And Subaru engineers promise "improved ride and handling through chassis upgrades" – which is amazing, as it was already nigh-on perfect!
The fresh faced model goes on sale November 1st OTR from £29,995, including the new model added to range: 2.0D SX Lineartronic.

You can see some more pics on Facebook and here's some more detail from Subaru:
Visual refresh The Outback line-up has received a visual upgrade, refreshing the vehicle’s looks. Emphasising the Outback’s sense of toughness and its ability to tackle all roads and conditions, the latest model features body-coloured cladding in place of the previous iteration’s black plastic.
Buyers now have a wider range of colours to choose from – including two new colours: Deep Sea Blue Pearl and Dark Grey Metallic – while larger fog lamps and the addition of a gloss black finish to the front headlamps give the car greater road presence than before. The alloy wheels now have a gunmetal finish as standard.
The upgraded cabin of the latest Outback features clearer and more modern instrumentation – including the addition of a liquid crystal instrument cluster display and new materials for a number of dashboard elements. Black metallic panels bring about a more modern and premium appearance and feel, while instruments within the cockpit have been moved to improve user-friendliness.

Engaging handlingSubaru engineers have worked hard to further improve the Outback’s ride and handling, notably through alterations to the car’s front and rear suspension. The result is a more stable ride and increased comfort for occupants.
The engine and front and rear suspension systems – the latter with a self-levelling feature as standard – are mounted on their own sub-frames, bringing about reduced vibration and noise. The fourth-generation Outback’s double-wishbone rear suspension is compact enough to give buyers a 526-litre luggage area (with the rear seats upright).
The Outback continues to offer a significant 200mm of ground clearance, while the placement of the compact, horizontally-opposed engine and transmission afford a typically Subaru-like low centre of gravity, endowing the Outback with high levels of cornering stability.
Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system features on all Outback models. For those equipped with a manual transmission, the AWD technology is accompanied by Active Torque Split, and for those with the Lineartronic CVT it is coupled with a centre differential with viscous limited slip differential. Both drivetrain layouts deliver reassuring driving dynamics in all conditions, both on- and off-road.

High levels of standard equipment
The 2014 MY Subaru Outback 2.0D Lineartronic variant will feature a new trim level, the SX. High levels of standard equipment are featured inside and out.
For the exterior there are new 17-inch gunmetal alloy wheels, along with body-coloured bumpers, body-coloured power folding door mirrors (with integrated LED indicator repeaters), and matching colour-coded door handles. Silver roof rails and a roof spoiler are other exterior accents, while a power-sliding glass sunroof (with sunshade) and UV protected front, side and rear glass also feature. Self-levelling automatic HID headlamps and rain sensing wipers add convenience for the driver.
Further highlights include front fog lights, pop-up headlight washers, heated mirrors, rear window defogger with timer, front and side window defrosters, and a windscreen wiper de-icer function.
Inside, the new SX model provides the Outback with a wealth of useful equipment. Audio and cruise control functions are present on the leather-trimmed steering wheel, while new sports seats at the front are heated to provide extra comfort when the weather turns cold.
For further comfort and convenience of driver and passengers, dual-zone automatic air-conditioning, Bluetooth® hands-free system, audio system with USB connectivity and a VGA centre display with rear vision camera are all present.
New speedometer and rev counter dials feature in the Outback’s upgraded instrument binnacle, while a one-touch lane change facility has also been added which activates the indicators to flash three times.
Additional features of leather interior and satellite navigation are available as dealer fit options if the customers wish to upgrade.

Pricing for the new 2014 Subaru Outback 2.0D SX

Model	Price OTR (£)	CO2 g/km	VED Band	Insurance
2.0D SX Lineartronic	£31,495	166	H	TBC
2.0D SX manual	£29,995	155	G	TBC

MAGAZINE: Latest Issue Of Road Magazine: Subaru II

Open publication - Free publishing - More cars

This month's Road Magazine is our second Subaru special. We say a fond farewell to the last of the UK WRX STi legends, the punchy 340R, with a road trip to the Lakes. Hopefully, this is NOT the last we see of this amazing rally-bred turbo nutter; but it is, for now, here in the UK. Sad sign of the times. We also have a sneak preview of the brand new Forester GenIV, which is looking like picking up where the last fabulous model took off. Good news, at last! And we take the most under-rated Subaru of them all – the dependable Outback – on a 1,555-mile road trip to Meribel in the Alps, to really stretch its legs. Finally, we look at Subaru's class-winning SUV, the XV. Subaru had a record breaking year in 2012, globally, but needs our support here in the UK. Why, we just do not know. Their cars are brilliant, reliable, affordable, practical, fun and different. And we've not even mentioned the epic BRZ. Try one today and be prepared to be impressed. And do please share our humble publication with your mates – Subaru fans or not! And enjoy some Subaru videos on our Facebook page.

NEWS: Subaru Forester Gen IV Pricing

Just in advance of our forthcoming second Subaru special of Road Magazine out later this month, Subaru has announced the pricing for one of their most popular models (and a personal favourite of the magazine), the Fourth generation Forester – which features a whole host of improvements and new technologies. The new car will start at £24,995 for the 2.0D X, rising to £30,995 for the range topping 2.0i XT. The all-new, fourth-generation Forester goes on sale across the network in May and "will build upon the model’s reputation as a go-anywhere, user-friendly SUV with improved performance, safety and efficiency and a more spacious and better appointed cabin."
Naturally, Subaru’s unique Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system remains at the heart of the Forester, while a low centre of gravity and improved body rigidity contribute to improved refinement and a typically engaging drive on the road.
The engine line-up will include 2.0-litre Boxer diesel and petrol units, while Subaru will return to its Forester roots with the introduction of a new 2.0-litre direct injection turbocharged petrol engine (hooray!), producing 240PS. All the engines have significantly improved CO2 and economy figures over the outgoing model.
Full pricing for the new Forester by model is as follows:

Petrol models

2.0i XE 2.0i XE CVT 2.0i XE Premium 2.0i XE Premium CVT 2.0i XT CVT

£25,495 £26,995 £27,495 £28,995 £30,995

Diesel models

2.0D X 2.0D X 2.0D X Premium

£24,995 £26,995 £28,995

A full press kit on the new Forester, including technical specifications and comprehensive details of equipment will be released on April 15, so stay tuned here for more details soon.