Subaru XV rolls out from Tan Chong plant
The much-publicized CKD deal between Subaru and Tan Chong International Limited bears fruit with official first roll-out of the Subaru XV from the Tan Chong Motors Assembly plant in Segambut today. First announced in July 2011, the XV CKD programme is targeted to produce 5,000 units annually for the combined consumption of the Indonesian, Malaysian, and Thailand markets.
Mr Glenn Tan, Executive Director of Tan Chong International Limited said, “This development is a significant milestone for us as the ability to locally assemble Subaru cars in Malaysia allows us to leverage inter-ASEAN trade agreements, giving us an advantage in our plans to widen our vehicle distribution network.”
Unlike most CKD operations in Malaysia, however, majority of the XVs rolling out from Segambut will be exported, with only 35% of units set to be retained for local consumption. The plant will be churning out the XV in one powertrain configuration but two trim levels – 2.0i and 2.0i Premium. No details were given on the spec differences between the two variants, and all that was revealed in this respect was that for Malaysia, prices will start at RM150,000.
Specs sheet for the Malaysian market list only one 2.0i variant with the following features – halogen headlamps with levelizer, side mirror-mounted turn signals, immobilizer, ISOFIX, dual front and driver knee airbags, stability control (VDC), hill start assist, cruise control, leather seats, auto air-con with dust filter, and tilt/telescopic steering adjust. Audio system is a 2-DIN Kenwood touchscreen unit with iPod/USB/Bluetooth connectivity and GPS navigation.
The two defining elements of a Subaru are not amiss in the XV, so we have a boxer engine driving all-four wheels through a symmetrical all-wheel drive system. The naturally-aspirated 2.0-litre four-cylinder motor is quoted with outputs of 148hp @ 6,200rpm and 196Nm @ 4,200rpm. Standard transmission is a CVT dubbed Lineartronic by Subaru with paddle shifts to bang through six virtual ratios.
Mechanically, the XV is a raised fourth-generation Impreza hatchback, and the chassis elements are therefore identical. Disc brakes all-round are standard, and so is independent suspension at all corners – the XV has ventilated disc brakes and MacPherson strut suspension up front, and solid disc brakes with double wishbones at the rear.
The XV’s arrival is part of a bigger overall strategy of aggressive growth for the Subaru brand. By the end of 2013, Subaru would have opened 26 new dealerships throughout Indonesia, 22 in Thailand, and seven in Malaysia.
