Subaru Levorg Explained

Subaru Levorg
Manufacturer:Subaru
Production:2014–present
Assembly:Japan: Ōta, Gunma (Fuji Heavy Industries, Ltd.)
Class:Mid-size car
Body Style:5-door station wagon
Layout:Front-engine, four-wheel-drive
Predecessor:Subaru Impreza Station Wagon
Sp:uk

The is a mid-size car manufactured since 2014 by Subaru. According to the company, the name Levorg is a blended word or portmanteau of three words: legacy, revolution and touring.[1] The first Levorg shares its platform with the Impreza/WRX and the Legacy. The second generation Levorg sits on the Subaru Global Platform used by the majority of Subaru's family cars.

The Levorg was first shown as a pre-production concept car at the 43rd Tokyo Motor Show in November 2013.[2] Subaru began collecting orders on the Japanese market on 4 January 2014, and the car went on sale in May.[3] In February 2015, Subaru announced the introduction of the Levorg on the European market, and the car made its première on the continent at the Geneva Motor Show in March of the same year.[4]

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First generation (VM; 2014)

First generation
Model Code:VM
Production:2014–2020
Transmission:Lineartronic CVT
Wheelbase:26501NaN1
Length:46901NaN1
Width:17801NaN1
Height:14901NaN1
Weight:1520–
Sp:uk

Specifications

On the domestic Japanese market the Levorg is available with two DOHC flat-four petrol engines, both turbocharged, intercooled and direct injected: a, 250Nm FB16 1.6 L and a, 400Nm FA20 2.0 L. The two are coupled to a Lineartronic continuously variable transmission and four-wheel-drive.

V-Sport

On 20 November 2019, Subaru launched the 2020 Subaru Levorg V-Sport. It features front sports seats with fabric upholstery, a leather wrapped steering wheel with silver stitching, as well as piano black and chrome trim. As with the variant it is based on, it sports Bilstein dampers, ventilated disc brakes and 225/45 R18 tires. V-Sport will be available in Japan and is priced at JPY 3,150,000.[5]

Sales

During its advance sales before launch, Subaru received about 11,000 orders in three months, 2,000 short of its projection.[6]

Motorsport

On 12 January 2016, Subaru announced that it was entering the British Touring Car Championship, as a manufacturer entry, in partnership with Team BMR.[7] For the 2016 season, the team were preparing four Levorg Sports Tourers to the championship's Next Generation Touring Car specification. The BTCC Levorgs are configured as rear wheel drive rather than four wheel drive (which is disallowed by the championship's regulations). Former double champions Jason Plato and Colin Turkington piloted the cars, along with team owner Warren Scott. The marque's FA20 2.0 litre boxer engine was race prepared for the team by Mountune Racing.[8]

The 2017 season saw some changes, including Ashley Sutton joining the team from MG Racing. Sutton went on to win the 2017 British Touring Car Championship for the team. Jason Plato continued driving the Levorg, but struggled to find pace throughout the season.[9]

The 2018 season saw Team BMR switch from Mountune to Swindon as engine suppliers for the Levorg.[10]

Second generation (VN; 2020)

Second generation (VN)
Model Code:VN
Production:2020–present
Platform:Subaru Global Platform
Wheelbase:26701NaN1
Length:47551NaN1
Width:17951NaN1
Height:15001NaN1 (with roof antenna)
15701NaN1 (Levorg Layback)
Weight:1550–
Sp:uk

Unveiled as a prototype at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show on October 23,[11] the second-generation model switched to the Subaru Global Platform, with a newly developed 1.8 L CB18 engine. Like the previous generation, this model would not be sold in North America, but would go on sale in Japan in the second half of 2020.[12]

On August 21, 2020, the second-generation Levorg was released in Japan.[13]

According to Subaru engine designer Tsuneaki Numamiyauchi, the displacement of the CB18 was chosen to balance an increase in maximum torque to 300Nm with improved fuel economy from adopting lean-burn technology. Fuel economy improved from 16km/L16.6km/L compared to the preceding generation's FB16 engine.[14] In addition, the overall length of the engine was shortened by 44mm, allowing for a larger crush zone for safety.[15]

The second-generation Levorg is sold in Australia as the WRX Sportswagon and in New Zealand as the WRX GT ("Grand Touring"), leveraging the use of the WRX nameplate. For Australia and New Zealand, the Levorg is fitted with the larger FA24F 2.4-litre direct injection turbo engine.[16] [17] On November 25, Subaru announced the FA24F-equipped Levorg also would be sold to the Japanese market as the STI Sport R model.[18]

Levorg Layback

A crossover SUV-inspired variant of the Levorg, named the Layback, went on sale in September 2023. It is available solely in the Limited EX trim powered with the CB18 engine.[19]

The Layback is 15mm longer, 25mm wider, 70mm higher, and ground clearance is set at 200mm, compared to the regular Levorg. The tires and bumpers are designed at an angle to make it easier to drive through obstacles and improve drivability on rough roads such as mountain roads.

Markets

Japan

The Levorg was released in Japan on 15 October 2020, with three trim levels at launch: GT, GT-H, and STi Sport. All three trim levels have the option Subaru EyeSight (EX) system. At release, all variants were powered by CB18 engine. At launch, more than 90% consumers chose the Eyesight package and Subaru planned to produce 2,200 units per month.[20]

In November 2021, a new STi Sport R trim was added powered with the FA24F engine, it is available with Eyesight (EX) system.[21]

In July 2023, a special edition Smart Edition model was introduced and later replaced the GT trim.[22] [23]

Australia

The WRX Wagon went on sale in Australia in May 2022 as the WRX Sportswagon, with three trim levels available: Standard, GT, and tS. Unlike the Sedan, the Sportswagon is only available with Subaru Performance CVT.[24]

New Zealand

The WRX Wagon was launched in New Zealand on 24 May 2022 as the WRX GT (Grand Touring), with two trim levels available: Premium and tS. The NZ-spec WRX GT Wagon is only available with the Subaru Performance CVT.[25]

Southeast Asia

The WRX Wagon was launched in the Philippines on 8 June 2022 with two trim levels available: Standard and tS,[26] in Thailand on 24 August 2022,[27] in Malaysia on 7 December 2022 in a sole GT-S trim,[28] [29] in Singapore on 17 January 2023 in a sole GT-S trim .[30] in Indonesia on 16 February 2023 at the 30th Indonesia International Motor Show with two trim levels available: GT-S and tS.[31]

Latin America

The WRX Wagon went on sale in Chile in July 2022 in a sole variant,[32] in Colombia in August 2022 in a sole tS trim,[33] and went on sale in Mexico on 13 April 2024 in a sole variant.[34]

Taiwan

The WRX Wagon went on sale in Taiwan on 20 March 2023, in a sole variant.[35]

Sales

Year! colspan="2"
Japan[36]
LevorgLevorg Layback
201430,258
201529,484
201624,184
201723,072
201815,685
201912,718
202012,111
202125,439
202214,275
202313,4411,826

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: スバル、東京モーターショーで新スポーツツーリング「LEVORG(レヴォーグ)」を世界初公開 . Subaru, new sport wagon at the Tokyo Motor Show: "LEVORG" world premiere . car.watch.impress.co.jp . ja. 20 November 2013 . 4 March 2015.
  2. Web site: Subaru's Levorg Prototype is the 2015 WRX Wagon of Your Dreams . Alexander . Stoklosa . blog.caranddriver.com . . 21 November 2013 . 4 March 2015 . February 6, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160206142717/http://blog.caranddriver.com/subarus-levorg-prototype-is-the-2015-wrx-wagon-of-your-dreams-2013-tokyo-auto-show/ . dead .
  3. Web site: 2014 Subaru Levorg hits the track . Michael . Gauthier . worldcarfans.com . 2 January 2014 . 4 March 2015.
  4. Web site: 2015 Subaru Outback and Levorg in European specification confirmed for Geneva debut . Adrian . Padeanu . worldcarfans.com . 6 February 2015 . 4 March 2015.
  5. https://www.zigwheels.ph/car-news/2020-subaru-levorg-v-sport-is-here-and-its-not-what-you-expected# 2020 Subaru Levorg V-Sport is here – and it’s not what you expected
  6. Web site: Greimel. Hans. A rare misfire for Subaru with new Levorg wagon?. April 17, 2014. Automotive News. 26 June 2015.
  7. News: SUBARU ENTER BTCC WITH TEAM BMR. British Touring Car Championship. TOCA. 12 January 2016. 12 January 2016.
  8. News: Mountune chosen as engine partner for Team BMR's four Subarus. Mediaempire Stockholm AB. Neil. Hudson. 15 January 2016. 15 January 2016. TouringCarTimes.
  9. News: Ashby . Chris . Jason Plato hails new BTCC champion Ashley Sutton "a superstar" . 3 September 2018 . BTCC Crazy . 2 October 2017.
  10. News: Gallagher . Ian . Team BMR to switch engine suppliers for 2018 season . 3 September 2018 . Touring Car Times . 2018.
  11. World Premiere of All-New Subaru Levorg Prototype at Tokyo Motor Show 2019 . October 23, 2019 . Subaru Global Media . 2 September 2020.
  12. Web site: Subaru Levorg, Bold New Station Wagon, Previews the Next WRX. Car and Driver. Stafford. Eric. 23 October 2019. 23 October 2019.
  13. Web site: 2021 Subaru Levorg made its official debut in Japan . Zig Wheels . August 21, 2020.
  14. News: スバルの技術を極めた、新型「レヴォーグ」。SGPボディやCB18エンジンのカットモデル展示 . The technology of Subaru's new 'Levorg'; cutaway model of SGP body and CB18 engine . Tanikawa, Kiyoshi . Yasuda, Tsuyoshi (photographer) . August 20, 2020 . Car Watch . 2 September 2020.
  15. News: スバル新型「レヴォーグ」のデジタルコクピットや1.8リッターの採用理由が明らかに YouTubeLive「NEW LEVORG 徹底解剖」レポート . Subaru's 'Levorg' digital cockpit and the reason for adopting 1.8 litres revealed in YouTube Live 'New Levorg thorough dissection' report . Tsubakiyama, Kazuo . August 24, 2020 . Car Watch . 2 September 2020.
  16. Web site: 2022 Subaru WRX Sportswagon replacing Levorg in Australia. October 14, 2021 .
  17. Web site: 2022 Subaru WRX Sportswagon in, Levorg out as Japanese brand's performance wagon model to take on Golf R and Skoda Octavia RS.
  18. SUBARU 「レヴォーグ」一部改良モデルを発表 . ja . SUBARU 'Levorg' partially improved model announced . November 25, 2021 . Subaru Global Media . 30 November 2021.
  19. 2023-08-03 . SUBARU 新型 SUV「LEVORG LAYBACK」ティザー画像を公開 ~9 月 7 日より国内 SUBARU 販売店で先行予約を開始~ . Subaru releases new SUV "Levorg Layback" teaser image -Advance reservations will begin at Subaru dealers in Japan from September 7- . Subaru . Japan . 2023-08-03 . pdf.
  20. Web site: 2020-10-15. SUBARU 新型「レヴォーグ」を発表. Subaru Japan Press News. ja.
  21. Web site: 2021-11-25. SUBARU 「レヴォーグ」一部改良モデルを発表. Subaru Japan Press News. ja.
  22. Web site: 2023-07-03. SUBARU レヴォーグ特別仕様車「Smart Edition」を発表. Subaru Japan Press News. ja.
  23. Web site: 2023-10-25. SUBARU 「レヴォーグ」改良モデルを発表. Subaru Japan Press News. ja.
  24. Web site: Tom. Fraser. 2019-04-02. 2019 Mazda 3: everything you need to know. Which Car? Australia. en.
  25. Web site: Liz. Dobson. 2022-05-24. Fifth-Generation Subaru WRX Lands In NZ. AutoMuse. en.
  26. Web site: 2022-06-08. The Legend is Reborn and Ready to Ignite Your Senses. Subaru Philippines News. en.
  27. Web site: 2022-08-19 . ราคาอย่างเป็นทางการ All NEW Subaru WRX WAGON 2.4 EyeSight CVT : 2,959,000 บาท . Headlight Magazine . th.
  28. Web site: Lye . Gerard . 2022-12-07 . 2023 Subaru WRX in Malaysia – sedan, wagon body styles; 275 PS 2.4T flat-four; 6MT, CVT; from RM285k . Paul Tan Automotive News . en.
  29. Web site: Lye . Gerard . 2023-03-31 . 2023 Subaru WRX Wagon in Malaysia – 2.4T with 275 PS, CVT, EyeSight; costs less than sedan from RM285k . Paul Tan Automotive News . en.
  30. Web site: 2023-01-17 . Subaru launches the WRX and WRX Wagon in Singapore . SGCarMart . en.
  31. Web site: Isromi Nuar . Gemilang . 2023-02-16 . Subaru WRX Meluncur di IIMS 2023 . 2024-02-17 . Oto Driver . id-ID.
  32. Web site: 2022-06-07. Jorge. Beher. Subaru inicia la comercialización del esperado WRX 2022 en Chile. Autocosmos Chile. es.
  33. Web site: 2022-07-19. SEl Subaru WRX tS Hatchback llega al país con mucho espacio y potencia. Drive Gear Colombia. es.
  34. Web site: Ponce . Esaú . 2024-04-13 . El nuevo Subaru WRX Sportwagon arranca preventa en México, conoce precios y versiones . 2024-05-08 . Autocosmos . es-MX.
  35. Web site: 2023-03-20. Zhang. Chenyu. 台灣意美:Subaru WRX、WRX Wagon雙車型正式接單,預售價新臺幣169.8萬、175.8萬. U-Car Taiwan. zh.
  36. Web site: スバル レヴォーグ 新車販売台数推移/売れ行き(生産台数)と生産状況は?生産工場も - 株式会社アイディーインフォメーション . Subaru Levorg new car sales trends/sales (production volume) and production status? Production factory too - ID Information Co., Ltd. . 2024-04-14 . id-information.co.jp . ja.