Subaru takes the co-op approach

Aug 4 2009 Steve Hughes

Subaru takes the co-op approach

THE latest example of co-operation among car companies comes in the familiar form of the Subaru Justy.

A similar model is already badged as the Daihatsu Sirion and its three-cylinder one-litre petrol engine can also be found beneath the bonnets of the cloned Citroen C1, Toyota Aygo and Peugeot 107 models.

The Justy comes in a choice of 1.0 R costing £9,305 and 1.0 Twin Cam at £9,995 with power going to the front wheels.

Economy is good for more than 55mpg whilst the ultra-low CO2 figure of 118g/km makes the model very user friendly.

Other attractions are the standard five-year warranty and annual road fund licence of just £35.

Standard kit includes electronic brake force distribution, air-conditioning, side and curtain airbags, alloy wheels, rev-counter, fuel-economy read-out, radio/CD player with auxiliary input socket, rear parking sensors, ISOFIX child-seat mountings, four electric windows and remote central-locking with alarm.

The five-door body offers as much room inside as a supermini rather than a city car and although the engine has just three cylinders it achieves a top speed of 100mph and acceleration to 60mph in 13.5 seconds.

Subaru has also added a diesel engine choice to saloon versions of the Legacy following the arrival of its first-ever diesel model - the Legacy hatchback.

They use the same two-litre engine generating 150bhp for a top speed of 130mph, acceleration to 60mph in 8.3 seconds and economy of 50mpg with a CO2 rating of 148g/km.

Standard equipment on this model includes HID headlamps with pop-out washers, electrically-folding door mirrors, front projector fog lamps, CD player with MP3 facility, dual-zone climate control and cruise control, active front head-restraints, dual-stage front airbags, side airbags and curtain airbags.

Prices start at £20,080 and the newcomer is available in three trim and equipment levels of R, RE and REn.

Estate versions cost from £21,060 and come with the same trim and equipment levels, as does the Legacy Outback, which costs from £22,525.

The significant advantage of the Legacy diesels and also the oil-burning 45mpg Forester, is that they have four wheel drive for maximum grip.

This can make the difference between arriving home safely or being stuck by the roadside in winter, in addition to the obvious advantages of superior road-holding for everyday driving.

Also included in the Subaru line-up is the Impreza hatchback, with prices from just £12,725 for the 1.5 R, which is extremely well equipped with alloy wheels, air conditioning, front, side and curtain air bags, front and rear electric windows and a CD sound system.