TOKYO MOTOR SHOW: Subaru Levorg

Subaru has officially unveiled a 'prototype' version its new sporty wagon, the Levorg, which has been confirmed for sale in Japan in mid 2014.

However Subaru says there are "presently no plans for export versions of Levorg".

As predicted, the new Levorg sits in the Subaru hierarchy somewhere between the Impreza and Liberty in size, meaning it is also in the middle in terms of passenger and luggage space.

According to Subaru, Levorg is a merging of “Legacy”, “revolution” and “touring”, in keeping with its description of the new car as a sports tourer.

With a strong focus on performance it features a choice of two turbocharged, directed-injected boxer four-cylinder engines: an all-new 125kW/250Nm 1.6-litre or a thumping 221kW/400Nm 2.0-litre.

The latter pumps out as much power, and more torque, than the current 221kW/350Nm 2.5-litre Impreza WRX STI auto-equipped engine and could be the basis for the new WRX STI tipped to be unveiled at the Detroit motor show in January 2014.

Both Levorg engines will deliver power to all four wheels via Subaru’s Lineartronic SI-Drive CVT transmissions. The 1.6-litre will get a two-mode version of the transmission, while the 2.0-litre will feature a Sport version with a selectable eight-speed shift mode, similar to the CVT-equipped WRX.

Subaru quotes fuel consumption figures of 5.8L/100km for the 1.6-litre (which has a stop/start system) and 7.6L/100km for the 2.0-litre. Although it doesn’t provide acceleration figures for the 221kW 2.0-litre version, the company says the 1.6-litre, on regular unleaded fuel, is capable of stretching a full tank out to as much as 1000km on the highway.

The Levorg’s safety systems are comprehensive, including some technology that is new, along with updated existing functions.

New features under Subaru’s EyeSight assistance systems banner include “Active Lane Keep System” which is able to keep the car in the middle of a defined lane and will activate the steering if necessary to do so. Pre-Collision Reverse Throttle Management “displays and sounds a warning signal and restricts engine output to stop the vehicle from backing up too abruptly,” and Hazard Avoidance Assist helps to steer the car out of harm’s way if a collision with a vehicle ahead is imminent.

The EyeSight driver assist system also includes features such as Emergency Flash Signal, which flashes the hazard warning lights if the car brakes abruptly, Volvo City Safety-style Pre-Collision Braking Control. Lane Departure Prevention Assist is included and an improved adaptive cruise control system with a greater detection area ahead of the vehicle is part of the package. Brake Light Recognition is now offered to further assist the car’s reaction to developing situations on the road ahead.

The company describes the Levorg’s interior as “high quality” with prolific use of “Piano black finishes, metallic-toned accents and plated parts. The gauges use a twin-lens horizontal layout featuring 3.5 inch full-color liquid crystal displays. The satin plated rings with ice blue lighting emphasize a sharp high-tech look.”

The sports tourer also gets a small, thick, flat-bottom steering wheel to control the electric power steering.

Although the show car is described as a prototype only, with the names of some of its systems not yet formalised, Subaru says the Levorg is available with two first-time colours: metallic blue-grey steel or pearl chrystal white.

Although Subaru says the provided specifications are for “reference only”, the figures show a car that is as wide as, but shorter than a current Liberty wagon. It has a wheelbase of 2650mm, which is not that much bigger than the current 2645mm Impreza.

The 1.6-litre version is quoted at 1540kg, with the 2.0-litre only 30kg heavier.

Subaru’s material tells us there are “no plans for export” but Subaru Australia’s public relations manager David Rowley’s “never say never” response when questioned about the Levorg’s likelihood for Australian release adds weight to speculation about a local future for the sporty new wagon.