By Hasan Kamoonpuri — MUSCAT — In a glittering event here on Sunday, OTE Group and Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd, the manufacturer of Subaru automobiles, launched two stunning Subaru models: all-new Subaru Impreza and all-new Subaru XV, a new generation crossover vehicle.
Subaru's brand statement ‘Confidence in Motion’ is the foundation of its automobile development. Subaru is committed to engineering excellence and the creation of products in harmony with customer lifestyles and values. Its quest for ‘Enjoyment and Peace of Mind’ through the Subaru experience hopes to achieve more Subaru fans, especially now with the all-new Impreza and all-new Subaru XV, embodying all of its visions.
“Subaru is a very unique auto maker which has received international acclaim for demonstrating originality and presenting characteristic technologies such as horizontally opposed boxer engine and symmetrical all-wheel drive. Subaru provides high safety and confidence in driving to customers,” said Tatsuya Sone, Assistant Manager, Subaru, Japan.
“Complementing Subaru’s efforts, OTE Group as partners have constantly strived to contribute to the propagation and growth of Subaru brand by offering excellent after-sales service,” added Shaikh Saad Suhail Bahwan, Chairman, OTE Group.
“OTE Group has constantly strived to contribute to the propagation and growth of Subaru by providing quality customer care and best-in-class ownership experience to Subaru fans,” said Ajay Chopra, MD, OTE Group.
All-new Impreza and the all-new Subaru XV were unveiled by George Hisaeda, Ambassador of Japan to Oman, in the presence of Shaikh Saad Suhail Bahwan, Chairman OTE Group, Tatsuya Sone, Subaru, Japan and other officials from OTE Group.
The Impreza series has earned worldwide acclaim as a stylish and sporty high-quality compact car since its debut in 1992.
All-new Impreza is the fourth generation and was developed under the concept of ‘Redefining Value, Redefining Class’. Its aim is to provide a new level of value not known to exist until now. Superior reliability, handling and safety features of the Subaru symmetrical AWD (all-wheel drive) system with the horizontally-opposed boxer engine 
at its core — these among many other qualities have made possible a safe and environmentally-friendly high grade global car while enhancing the sportiness of the Impreza.
The main themes in developing the all-new Impreza were stylish exterior and high quality interior and refinement of driving comfort and environmental friendliness. In order to realise these concepts, Subaru focused on improvements in fuel efficiency and environmental friendliness; enhancement of fun-to-drive characteristics for more pleasant and agile driving; and actualisation of a high-quality, spacious and comfortable cabin without increasing body size. Its excellence in quality exceeds the expectations of a car from this class.
All-new Impreza provides an expanded cabin with more shoulder and elbow space, and rear seat foot room and thus allows greater comfort for all passengers. The door opening dimensions have been enlarged and in addition, the height of the side sills above the floor was lowered to vastly facilitate the entering and exiting of the vehicle. The instrument panel and window sills were lowered, in order to increase field of vision and sense of spaciousness.
The all-new Impreza conveys the stylishness and agility of the Impreza series with its powerful eye-catching look of the front fascia and sophisticated profile. The outward appearance suggests its dominant road presence, spaciousness, and ease of use even though the overall size has not been increased.
Subaru's symbolic and standard features of hawk eye headlights, hexagon grille, and wheel arches that emphasise its AWD (all-wheel drive) character all fortify the all-new Impreza's Subaru identity. With the forward placement of the A-pillar and the extended wheelbase, it has an elegant form that also suggests a spacious cabin. For the 4-door model, the distinctive C-pillar design gives the vehicle both a sleek coupe-like styling and the emphasised presence of a trunk.
Elements were carefully chosen for an interior space of high quality feel and roominess beyond actual measurements. The instrument panel is styled horizontally to add to the spacious atmosphere. Materials such as leather, metal 
and fabric were used effectually to be pleasing to the touch and eyes. A sporty three-spoke steering wheel with rich texture and high quality look was installed. The switches on the wheel were designed to be in optimum size and shape for easy operation.
Both the driver's and passenger seats have a higher hip point to increase field of view and to make getting on and off the vehicle easier. The rear seats also have a hip point that is set higher in order to enhance spaciousness. A multifunction display monitor shows details of the vehicle's driving conditions. In order to support fuel-efficient and safe driving, the monitor displays suggestions for eco-friendly driving, adaptive cruise control, and VDC activation updates.
All-new Impreza comes with a 1.6-litre and 2-litre engines. The 1.6-litre is a new generation boxer engine with excellent balance in driving performance, fuel efficiency etc. The all-new Impreza will be the first to carry this type and will lead it to the global market. The 2-litre engine is fuel-efficient and has a quick accelerating response even when the accelerator is only lightly depressed.
Vibrations are kept under control with a highly rigid cross member chassis design thus allowing improved driving stability and comfort. Insulators are arranged optimally to offer excellent noise reduction.
VDC (vehicle dynamics control) is standard in all models. Its control timing has been optimised so that enjoyable driving and danger avoiding performance are both achievable. The VDC also incorporates a braking assist function. All models are equipped with a brake override control system.
By using high tensile steel effectively to reduce weight and by revamping the frame, a high level of collision safety from all directions was achieved. The front hood and bulkhead are specially designed to have an impact-absorbing structure to protect pedestrians. This high impact-absorption ability has been achieved without sacrificing rigidity.
All-new Subaru XV developed under the concept of ‘Urban Adventure’ defines a new generation of crossover vehicle, blending exceptional SUV practicality with 
a fashionable form. It expresses the integration of ‘authentic functionality as a professional tool’ and ‘urban and stylish design’.
All-new Subaru XV features a stylish design and provides an enjoyable drive. It is well balanced with roomy and convenient interior. While maintaining its standard all-wheel drive, the Subaru XV employs the 2-litre horizontally-opposed boxer engine and lineartronic (CVT).
It also offers good rough road capability due to its 8.7 inches (221 mm) of ground clearance. The vehicle was engineered to blend the crossover-like commanding silhouette with a fashionable image in a single, modern package. Its contemporary looks and electrifying lines are guaranteed to turn heads, as its body exhibits the very solid, dynamic and independent styling so characteristic of all Subarus.
At the very front of the all-new Subaru XV, are standard design elements that are common to the Subaru stable, including the hexagon grille, winged motif and sharply- and solidly-designed hawk-eye headlights. The rear of the vehicle features the same hexagonal design as the front and more hexagons engraved into the clear blue base under the licence plate complement the consistent design theme. To better embody the “protren” theme, the wheel arch cladding offers the image of functionality, playful touch and driving excitement, which is further enhanced with the black metallic highlights.
The aluminium alloy wheels are designed to combine a solid, intrepid form and a stylish appearance, while at the same time exhibiting a fashionable look suited to urban driving. Contrasting colours — silver spokes, black rims and clear blue centre caps — are used intentionally to generate an exciting balance between quality and performance.
The exterior of the vehicle is splashed in riveting ‘electro yellowgreen’, resulting in a gleaming tinge seemingly emanating from beneath the matte finish. The colour embodies electrifying performance, and above all excitement, to round off a tasteful, and at times potent, package. ‘Silvery white leather’ is used as the base material for the seats, which firmly envelopes passengers to provide a secure feeling. The 
use of sporty mesh in selected areas works to create a high quality, yet casual mood, and yellowgreen piping gives the interior a sporty and stylish finish. A large multifunction display sits in the centre panel for car audio, and for vehicle information and are united in the design and touch panel technology expresses ease of use and can be operated intuitively.
“Fuji Heavy Industries can confidently assure you of our continuous commitment to the Oman market, through our distributor — OTE Group, with specific focus on our most valued assets, namely our Subaru customers.
“OTE Group is doing excellent work in promoting the Subaru brand and in delivering great customer service to the Subaru fans,” added Tatsuya Sone.
