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Subaru promises mini SUV for Frankfurt auto show

Building on the XV concept shown at the Shanghai auto show, Subaru will reveal a production version of this small SUV, based on the Impreza platform, at the 2011 Frankfurt auto show.

Wayne Cunningham Managing Editor / Roadshow
Wayne Cunningham reviews cars and writes about automotive technology for CNET's Roadshow. Prior to the automotive beat, he covered spyware, Web building technologies, and computer hardware. He began covering technology and the Web in 1994 as an editor of The Net magazine.
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Subaru XV Concept
Subaru showed off the XV Concept in Shanghai, a pretty clear indication of what the production vehicle will look like. Subaru

Subaru announced it will unveil a production version of a small SUV based on its Impreza platform at the 2011 Frankfurt auto show in September. Earlier this year, Subaru previewed the new vehicle with the XV Concept at the Shanghai auto show.

 
Subaru XV Concept
Subaru released this teaser sketch for the production version of the XV Concept. Subaru

Subaru released a teaser sketch with its announcement, but the XV Concept shown at Shanghai looks near production. The body design is very similar to the hatchback Impreza, and the vehicle is lifted for greater ground clearance.

The concept lacked side mirrors and had outsize wheels, but those are typical concept car design cues.

The production version will most likely have all-wheel drive, a hallmark of Subaru's current model lineup, and be powered by the same 2-liter flat four-cylinder engine used by the Impreza. It will probably also be offered with a diesel engine in the European market.

The vehicle to be shown at Frankfurt confirms a European version of the car. Subaru has not announced a U.S. version yet, although it could be a competitor to the Honda CR-V and Toyota Rav4.