MANILA, Philippines — A new SUV that carries the famous heritage of the Subaru will be the latest vehicle of desire when the new year rolls in.  Last week, Motor Image, the exclusive distributor of of Subaru in the region, unveiled the Subaru XV at the 28th Thailand International Motor Expo, held at the huge Impact Challenger Convention Center in Muang Thong Thani, Bangkok.

The SUV, now a vehicle fashionable to a wide market crossing genders, age and occupations -- has a sleek silhouette in the Subaru XV. But the elegant design cannot make one forget the promise of the XV's 2.0-liter DOHC boxer engine that delivers driving pleasure from the excellent acceleration response with a high level of torque even at low speeds.  With the famous Subaru symmetrical All-Wheel –Drive system and low center of gravity, this new SUV promises the smooth and stable drive of a sedan -- all enhancing the Subaru reputation of being a "driver's car."

The young and good-looking Glenn Tan, executive director of Tan Chong International Ltd., who unveiled the Subaru XV at the motor show, added to the aura of the Subaru reputation, that also sprinkles the spirit of youth on all who drive it -- as I had experienced many times.

Mr. Tan said the XV is designed for people who like driving sedans but are thinking of having an SUV for its high ground clearance and muscular style.  “The XV is for those buyers who don’t plan to drive big SUVs in rough terrain the way these are usually being pictured.”

He said the Subaru XV will be launched in the Philippines in March next year, after the showroom in The Fort opens.  Motor Image Pilipinas, Inc., headed by Nicky Mariano, is presently expanding operations with plans to open three showrooms next year – in The Fort at Global City, Alabang, and Davao.

“Consumers are placing more emphasis on functionality and style. The new Subaru XV marries the best of both worlds that drivers have been waiting for, by fulfilling modern practical needs and economy, with a combination of the sense of security and urban looks expected of an SUV. I am confident that urban dwellers would be excited by the new form factor and stunning performance of the new Subaru XV,” Mr. Tan said after he unveiled the new SUV at the Subaru booth in the Thailand International Motor Expo.

Under the hood, the XV boasts of a 2.0-liter DOHC Boxer engine with Lineartronic CVT (continuous variable transmission) making it possible for drivers to switch from traditional automatic-transmission vehicles without any sense of unease.

Subaru’s highly acclaimed horizontally opposed engine,is  now on its third-generation and features a long-stroke design for better fuel efficiency.  The integration of Subaru’s unique symmetrical All-Wheel-Drive system will give the drive a sense of stability that is not usually expected from a high-body vehicle.

Drivers used to the sedan will find the XV’s low center of gravity delivering a smooth ride even with the SUV’s body height.  The design also is more refined, described as “a fusion of casual and function and a stylish urban form."

A Subaru statement makes the apt description: “Just like running shoes, it achieves a fusion of casual and function with a dash of fashion.”

The Subaru XV that will be sold in the Philippines will be imported from Japan, which will also be the source of XVs for the regional countries under the Motor Image Group in Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and Vietnam.

The Subaru XV will be the first model to roll off the production lines at an existing production facility of Tan Chong Motor Assemblies Sdn, Bhd (TCMA) which will begin in October 2012.

Those will be marketed in Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia.  Early this year, a consignment production contract was signed between Tan Chong Group and Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. for the local assembly of Subaru cars in Malaysia, starting with the new Subaru XV 2.0-liter model.

Subaru is well-known for its engineering, design, functionality, safety and reliability.

The Subaru vehicles include the Forester, Legacy, Outback, Impreza, Impreza WRX, Impreza WRX STi, Exiga and Tribecca.  Collectively, they are known to be “driver’s cars” because of the handling offered by the All-Wheel-Drive technology.