Subaru Levorg 1.6L Turbo added as new range-opener

Alvin Lee August 1, 2017 New Car Price, News 2,714 Views

Subaru has added a new entry-level model to the Levorg range, bringing added affordability to the sports wagon with a new entry price of below $40k.

Joining the 2.0-litre turbo model launched last year is the new 1.6-litre turbo variant available in base-spec GT and high-spec GT Premium flavours. The turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder Boxer engine produces 125kW of power at 4,800-5,600 rpm and 250 Nm of torque at 1800-4800 rpm, offering greater fuel efficiency within the expanded Levorg range.

As with the 2.0-litre variants, the 1.6L turbo is mated to a CVT automatic and drive through Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel drive system. Fuel economy is rated at 7.4L/100km on the combined cycle.

Subaru Australia Managing Director, Colin Christie, said: “Levorg has opened up a whole new performance niche for Subaru since we launched just over a year ago.

“We can now see even greater opportunity with the addition of two 1.6-litre turbo variants that will make this fun, flexible wagon available to an even greater cross-section of customers.”

The 197kW / 350Nm 2.0-litre model line-up has also been simplified, with the base GT variant dropped and the limited-run Spec.R replaced with a new STI-badged range-topping model. The simplified 2.0L line-up now consists of the GT-S and STI Sport.

Read Subaru Levorg 2.0 Review

For 2018, the Levorg has also received a minor facelift through revised front bumper and grille, with the 2.0 STI Sport featuring a frontal STI treatment unique to the variant

In total, the Levorg is offered in four variants for 2018, with Australian pricing (excluding on-roads) as follows:

Levorg 1.6 GT	$35,990
Levorg 1.6 GT Premium	$42,890
Levorg 2.0 GT-S	$49,140
Levorg 2.0 STI Sport	$51,990

Along with the introduction of the 1.6L Levorg, Subaru has also boosted standard specifications across the line-up, with the company’s Smart Rearview Mirror making its debut on the 1.6 GT Premium, 2.0 GT-S and 2.0 STI Sport variants. SRM is designed to offer better rear visibility. Images of the area behind the car are taken by a camera mounted inside and above the rear gate glass, and displayed in the rearview mirror.

Subaru claims it is particularly effective when the standard rearview mirror provides poor visibility in fluctuating light conditions, such as evening or at night; or if passengers or cargo are obscuring the view.

Two modes are available: Mirror Mode is used as an ordinary mirror, without displaying images from the rear camera. Display Mode is used for displaying images from the rear camera. SRM modes are activated using a switch at the bottom of the mirror.

Also standard on all models except for the 1.6 GT is a new Front View Camera which uses a front-mounted camera to display front blindspot such as approaching vehicles or pedestrians at intersections with poor visibility.

Elsewhere, the Bilstein front and rear suspension in Levorg 1.6 GT Premium, 2.0 GT-S and 2.0 STI Sport is enhanced from the superseded model year for smoother ride comfort, while retaining sporty capabilities.

Changes to both the front and rear suspension configurations include revised damping and rebound. Thicker rear stabiliser bars are also used in the rear axle to improved cornering flatness.

Every Levorg now features, Steering Responsive Headlights, which operate with both high and low beam. There are also larger 5.9-inch Multi Function Display and Automatic Vehicle Hold – meaning the driver doesn’t have to keep their foot on the brake pedal in situations such as traffic lights and road congestion.

For added convenience and practicality, 2018 Levorg gains 40/20/40 split-fold rear seat, with the reclining and one-touch folding functions retained.

2018 Subaru Levorg specification

Levorg 1.6 GT

Safety

ABS anti-lock brakes with four-wheel discs and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)
Automatic Vehicle Hold
Brake Assist
Child seat anchor points
Curtain airbags
Driver’s knee airbag
Dual front airbags
Dual side airbags
Dusk sensing LED steering responsive headlights with LED Daytime Running Lights (DRLs)
EyeSight Driver Assist System featuring:
- Adaptive cruise control
- Lane departure warning
- Lane sway warning
- Lead vehicle start alert
- Pre-collision braking system
- Pre-collision brake assist
- Pre-collision throttle management
- Pre-collision steering assist
- Brake light recognition
- Lane Keep Assist
Fog lights – front and rear
Four wheel disc brakes (ventilated)
Front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters
Front adjustable seatbelt anchorage
Rear door child lock
Rear seatbelts with pretensioners
Reverse camera
Seatbelt indicator lights
Side intrusion bars
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive
Three-point A/ELR rear seatbelts
Vehicle Dynamics Control (electronic stability control system)
Welcome lighting

Interior

6.2-inch touch screen AM/FM radio, single in-dash CD, six speakers
AUX jack +USB port
Bluetooth audio streaming
Bottle holders in each door + two cup holders in centre console and rear
Cargo area light
Central locking – remote
Climate control air conditioning – dual zone
Cloth trim
Driver’s footrest
Height and reach adjustable steering column
Height adjustable driver’s seat
Immobiliser security system
Leather trim steering wheel with audio controls; leather gearshift
Map lights (2)
Multi-Function Display (MFD) – 5.9 inches
Power steering, mirrors and windows
Privacy glass – rear
Push button start with smart key
Electroluminescent instrument cluster with Multi-Information Display
Seatback pockets
Subaru-branded front door sill panel
Two remote central locking keys
USB charger ports for rear passengers
Vanity mirrors – illuminated
40/20/40 split/fold rear seat
12V/120W power jacks

Exterior

Double locking system
Electronic folding mirrors
Headlights auto off
Heated door mirrors
Rear diffuser
Rear cargo door spoiler
Rear LED brake lights
Rear roof mounted colour-coded shark fin radio antenna
Self-levelling automatic LED headlights with pop-up washers
Tail pipe covers
17-inch alloy wheels – space saver spare

Other features

Auto lights and wipers
Auto Stop Start
DataDot security technology
Electronic Throttle Control (ETC)
One-touch indicators
Subaru Intelligent Drive (SI-Drive)
12-months Roadside Assist
Three-year unlimited kilometre warranty
1.6 litre turbocharged engine. 125 kW/4800-5600 rpm, 250 Nm/1800-4800 rpm

Levorg 1.6 GT Premium adds:

Bilstein suspension
Black accents in headlights
Electric lumbar support (driver)
Electric sunroof
Front windscreen de-icer
Heated front seats
Leather trim with blue stitching
Power driver’s seat with dual memory function – 10-way adjustable, including lumbar
Factory fitted satellite navigation – 7.0-inch screen
Rear view mirror with auto glare function
Silver coloured mirrors
Smart Rearview Mirror
Sports front seats
Vision Assist Features
- Side View Monitor
- Blind Spot Detection
- Lane Change Assist
- Rear Cross Traffic Alerts
- High Beam Assist
- Front View Camera
18-inch alloy wheels with gray accents – space saver spare
2 x USB in lower centre dashboard