Subaru unveils the Exiga
This is the brand’s first medium sized multi purpose vehicle to be completely designed and manufactured in house
By Justin Lee
THE EXIGA MADE its debut in Japan on June 17.
The car is the production version of the Exiga Concept shown at the 40th Tokyo Motor Show in October last year.
Based on the Impreza platform, this medium sized multi purpose vehicle (MPV) has a longer wheelbase at 2750mm up 130mm from the smaller car’s 2620mm.
It can accommodate up to seven spread over three rows of seats which are laid out at three different heights. This type of theatre style seating allows all passengers better outside views.
The Exiga has boxy exterior styling that looks contemporary with smooth and uncluttered surfaces. Its front headlamps sport blue tinted lens placed in the middle of the lamp which is a nice design touch.
As a comparison of its size, the car measures 18cm longer than the Toyota Wish.
Two different front grille treatments are used to differentiate the naturally aspirated and turbocharged models. The former comes with a chromed wing shape embellishment reminiscent of the one seen on the Legacy while the latter gets a bronze coloured version with a metal mesh backing.
The dashboard is similar to the one found in the Impreza and Forester with slight variations such a different climate control interface, the addition of a cubby hole above the glove box and an oddments tray aft of the transmission lever.
It has a high level of interior versatility. All the seats fold down to create a bed, the second row seats can slide independently back and forth and second and third row seats can be folded down to create a flat load area.
There are two engine options for the car. Both are 2.0-litre 16-valve flat-4 units but one is naturally aspirated while the other is turbocharged. The standard engine produces 148bhp and is mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. The turbocharged unit produces 225bhp and is coupled to a five-speed automatic transmission. There are both two wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions.
Local Subaru distributor Motor Image Enterprises has indicated that it will bring in a unit of the Exiga for a preview at this year’s Singapore Motorshow which will be held in September. The car’s exact launch date have yet to be confirmed.