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It’s rather handsome isn’t it? It hasn’t suffered the styling bypass of many of the other Subaru models.

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The newest addition to Subaru’s All-Wheel Drive line-up, the XV compact Sports Utility Vehicle, has achieved the highest possible five-star crashworthiness rating in testing by the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP).

Testing was conducted on a left-hand drive European specification XV 2.0i.

NCAP evaluates:

  • Adult occupant protection
  • Child occupant protection
  • Pedestrian protection, and
  • Safety assist.

The previous Subaru tested by Euro NCAP was the Legacy, which also achieved a five-star rating.

Euro NCAP is an independent agency composed of European governments and motoring organizations. It has been assessing new car safety performance since 1997.

Subaru has further advanced its unique “ring-shaped reinforcement” safety cell around XV’s passenger cabin. This comprises a series of steel frames around the cabin – optimizing impact energy absorption by the structure.

 

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Use of high tensile steel is also increased on new XV, while also allowing weight reduction. This improves impact performance from all directions, again enhancing passenger safety. In addition, a driver’s knee airbag is installed, besides a suite of dual front, side and curtain airbags. XV also features Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) on all models.

Subaru views all-around safety as a major priority, continuing to develop active, passive and pre-crash technologies.

Local crashworthiness results from the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) are yet to be announced.

Australian specification XV is due on sale in January.

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