Cherry Hill, N.J.,  -  Subaru of America, Inc. adds the new 2013 XV Crosstrek to Subaru’s line-up of award-winning crossover-utility vehicles. The versatile, fun-to-drive XV Crosstrek debuts as the most fuel-efficient all-wheel-drive crossover utility in America, delivering 33 MPG highway. The XV Crosstrek combines efficiency with bold five-door design and a highly capable chassis. The Crosstrek targets the fast-growing compact crossover utility segment with best-in-class fuel economy and safety ratings, everyday comfort and the most in-demand infotainment features.

The 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek delivers a high-capability crossover package with standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, high ground clearance, 17-inch alloy wheels and ample room for passengers and cargo. Subaru will offer two versions of the XV Crosstrek, the Premium with a very high level of standard features and the Limited model with additional luxury and technology.

All 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek models are powered by a 148-horsepower 2.0-liter BOXER engine, teamed to Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive via a five-speed manual transmission or available second-generation Lineartronic® Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). Fuel economy figures of 25 mpg city / 33 mpg highway / 28 mpg combined (with CVT) will put the 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek among the most fuel-efficient crossovers on the market, and make it comparable to many front-wheel drive competitors.

Built for Everyday Driving and Rugged Action
The 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek incorporates numerous body and chassis enhancements for its expanded-capability mission. Black side- and wheel-arch cladding, rocker spoiler and roof rails provide a rugged contrast to the body color. The higher ride height, body-color roof spoiler and unique-design 17-inch wheels bolster the Subaru XV Crosstrek model’s go-anywhere stance and attitude. Front and rear bumpers and the front grille are unique to the Subaru XV Crosstrek, and dark-tint privacy glass is standard.

The rugged styling is backed up by function, as the four-wheel independent suspension features a raised configuration in the Subaru XV Crosstrek. The XV Crosstrek’s 8.7 inches of ground clearance is higher than for most other crossovers and even some dedicated SUVs. High-strength suspension components enhance agility, while liquid (hydraulic) engine mounts (with CVT) help to damp out vibration. The double-wishbone rear suspension features pillow ball bushings for an optimal blend of ride comfort, straight-line stability, handling agility and vehicle response.

The Subaru XV Crosstrek uses standard 17-inch alloy wheels with 225/55 R17 all-season tires to provide all-weather traction and performance. The four-wheel disc brake system features large front rotors and the XV Crosstrek comes with a 15.9-gallon fuel tank.

Both the standard five-speed manual transmission and the CVT include the Subaru Incline Start Assist feature, which will briefly hold the vehicle while the driver pulls away from a stop on a hill. Available for the Subaru XV Crosstrek Premium and standard on the Limited, the Subaru Lineartronic CVT provides infinite variability between the highest and lowest available ratios with no discernable steps or shifts. With either transmission choice, a standard ECO gauge helps the driver to operate the vehicle as economically as possible.

The CVT continuously and smoothly adapts to performance demand, helping to keep the engine in its most efficient operating range. A 6-speed manual mode with steering wheel paddle shifters allows the driver to control the transmission via six pre-set ratios. The transmission also allows “second gear” starts in order to limit the likelihood of wheel spin on slippery surfaces.

2.0-liter DOHC Boxer Engine
The FB 2.0-liter Subaru BOXER engine uses aluminum for the cylinder block and heads. With an 84 mm bore and 90 mm stroke (3.31 in. / 3.54. in.), the BOXER engine features an “undersquare” bore/stroke ratio of 1.07, with the long-stroke configuration enhancing torque across the engine speed range. A dual overhead-cam (DOHC) configuration features Dual Active Valve Control System (DAVCS) – variable valve control for both intake and exhaust valves – also optimizing torque delivery.

The Subaru 2.0-liter Boxer engine produces 148 hp at 6,200 rpm and 145 lb.-ft. of peak torque at 4,200 rpm. Improvements in combustion efficiency and reduced friction were made throughout the engine, including specially tuning the main and auxiliary components. For example, mounting the fuel injectors directly on the cylinder head, though not injecting directly into the cylinder, made it possible to limit the amount of vaporized fuel that adheres to cylinder head walls and to improve both fuel efficiency and emissions. Electric power steering reduces draw on engine power.

Practical Package
A 103.7-inch wheelbase yields impressive interior roominess in the 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek. Rear seat legroom of 35.4 inches is close to that of some midsize cars. With the standard 60/40 split rear seatbacks folded, this versatile five-door crossover provides a completely flat load floor with up to 51.9 cubic feet of carrying space. By itself, achieving a large trunk or cargo area is significant, since the vehicle’s AWD layout requires packaging a rear differential and drive axles. Three golf bags or a large baby stroller can be easily loaded.
The cargo area is outfitted as standard with a cover that can be pulled into place or removed, along with a removable waterproof cargo tray, tie-down hooks and grocery bag hooks. Subaru dealers will offer a number of accessories for the standard roof rails for carrying items such as bicycles and kayaks.

Comfort and Convenience
The sporty instrument panel and three-spoke steering wheel are augmented in all XV Crosstrek models by a multi-function display with a trip computer located in the center of the dashboard. Rich-looking appointments and details abound, including soft-touch materials for the dashboard, door trim and center console armrest.

Front seats are optimized for a rear-end collision and feature tilt-adjustable head restraints for comfort. Large door pockets can hold plastic drink bottles and maps. Numerous compartments located in and around the center console hold all manner of today's personal items, such as phones, USB drives and MP3 players.

Two Trim Lines
Subaru will offer the 2013 XV Crosstrek in Premium and Limited models, the latter adding additional luxury amenities and infotainment technology. Among the standard features in the Premium are the All-Weather Package (heated front seats, heated side mirrors and windshield wiper de-icer); a tilt/telescoping steering wheel with audio and Bluetooth® control switches; power windows, door locks and side mirrors; multi-function display with fuel economy information; security system with engine immobilizer; outside temperature gauge, and carpeted floormats. The standard audio system in the XV Crosstrek Premium model features Bluetooth® hands-free phone connectivity and audio streaming, Radio Data Broadcast System (RDBS), iPod® control capability, USB port, 3.5mm aux. input jack and six speakers.

In addition to making the Lineartronic CVT standard, the 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek Limited adds leather-trimmed upholstery, steering wheel and shift handle; automatic climate control system; auto on/off headlights, and a rear seat armrest with dual cupholders. A standard display-type audio system in the Subaru XV Crosstrek Limited incorporates a rear-vision camera and also features a 4.3-inch display screen and standard HD Radio™.

Both the Subaru XV Crosstrek Premium and Limited offer an optional power moonroof and a navigation system. The navigation system uses a 6.1-inch touch screen LCD display and integrates a rear-vision camera, voice control, iTunes® tagging, SMS text messaging capability, XM Satellite Radio® and XM NavTraffic® (both XM services require subscriptions). Updated map data can be downloaded to a personal computer and then transferred into the system via secure digital (SD) card.

Standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive
Subaru offers two different versions of Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive in the 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek models. With the five-speed manual transmission, the AWD system uses a viscous-coupling locking center differential to distribute power 50/50 front to rear. Slippage at either set of wheels will send more power to the opposite set.

Models equipped with the Lineartronic CVT feature the Active Torque Split version of Symmetrical AWD. An electronically managed continuously variable transfer clutch actively manages power distribution based on acceleration, deceleration, and available traction. The Active Torque Split system automatically transfers more power (up to 100 percent) to the wheels with the best grip should slippage occur.

Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) combines stability and traction control functions and integrates a rollover sensor. Traction control works to augment the Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive functionality. A VDC “Off” switch is useful for driving out of slushy roads, deep snow or gravel. The “Off” position deactivates the system’s torque-reduction control, while the antilock and traction control remain active. It should be noted that traction control functions as a second line of defense against wheel slip, after Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. Traction control is not the means of power distribution in a Subaru, as it is on some other all-wheel drive vehicles.

Subaru Safety
Subaru projects that the 2013 XV Crosstrek models will achieve across-the-board five-star safety ratings in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) frontal and side crash tests. Subaru also anticipates the highest rating (“Good”) and “Top Safety Pick” from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

For safety, the Subaru Ring-Shaped Frame Reinforcement body structure has been proven in more than a decade of use. The Ring-Shaped Frame Reinforcement structure forms a series of “rings” around the passenger compartment. This design provides excellent protection in a variety of collision types, with the structure increasing cabin rigidity and able to absorb impact energy from any direction. High-strength members are used on the front of the vehicle, where there are few crushable zones. This design helps to minimize deformation of the body in the event of a frontal collision, providing added protection for occupants.

A reinforcing member at the base of the A-pillar strengthens the joint between the pillar and the upper frame and helps to ensure that impact energy produced by a frontal collision is cleanly passed from the frame to the pillar. With high-strength members added to the critical front rails and the tops of the center pillars, and a number of other reinforcements also made, the roof is strong enough to bear at least four times the vehicle’s own weight.

Subaru engineered the rear of the vehicle structure so that the energy of an off-center rear collision would be evenly distributed left and right by the rear bumper beams and diagonal members. This design helps to minimize chassis deformation, as the energy of such a collision does not now have to be absorbed only on the side of the impact. Front-end structural details help to bolster safety for pedestrians, in particular the impact absorbing structures at the cowling at the rear of the hood and the bottom of the windshield.

Inside, the Subaru XV Crosstrek fills out its safety roster with a driver’s knee airbag, standard front side pelvis/torso airbags and side curtain airbags that offer front and rear outboard seat coverage. The passenger-seat front airbag features a shell-type design with a center groove, thus exposing the passenger to less impact force upon deployment.

Brake Assist and Brake Override
The 4-channel / 4-sensor Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) incorporates Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD). The EBD system enhances braking performance and stability by actively optimizing braking force between the front and rear wheels according to how the vehicle is loaded with passengers and cargo.

The Subaru Brake Assist safety system detects how quickly the driver has pressed the pedal, and if pedal velocity exceeds a certain threshold, Brake Assist immediately applies pressure up to the ABS limit to help increase braking effectiveness. In emergency or “panic” braking, drivers usually apply less pedal force than needed despite pressing the pedal quickly. The new Brake Override system ensures that the engine power will be cut when the brake pedal and accelerator are pressed simultaneously.

Advanced Airbags
The 2013 XV Crosstrek models feature the Subaru Advanced Frontal Airbag System. This intelligent air bag system employs dual-stage-deployment driver and front passenger airbags. A seat position sensor on the driver’s seat track detects if the driver is sitting too close to the airbag, in which case the system would delay deployment of the airbag’s second stage. The passenger side front seat incorporates an occupant detection module that detects weight on the passenger seat – determining if it’s a child or adult – to control airbag deployment. The system measures an electrical field and then uses that to infer the mass of the passenger.

All new Subaru models incorporate electrically triggered pre-tensioners and force limiters in the front three-point seatbelts. The seatbelt mechanism also absorbs energy through internal deformation. There are LATCH system (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) for securing specially equipped child seats in the rear seat.

About Subaru of America, Inc.
Subaru of America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. of Japan. Headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of more than 600 dealers across the United States. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill production plants and Subaru of Indiana Automotive Inc. is the only U.S. automobile production plant to be designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. For additional information visit www.subaru.com.