2020 Subaru Levorg V-Sport is here – and it’s not what you expected

MANILA: It’s no secret that the first-generation Subaru Levorg is nearing its end. With a new model underway, everyone has been looking forward to its arrival since debuting at last month’s Tokyo Motor Show. But it seems that Subaru isn’t quite ready to say its goodbyes. In a move that caught everyone by surprise, the Japanese automaker launched the 2020 Subaru Levorg V-Sport.

Make no mistake – this is not the next-generation Levorg which is set to arrive in the second half of 2020. Rather, the 2020 Levorg V-Sport is a special edition of the outgoing model.

Visually, it doesn’t look like much has changed save for the piano black accents. Its side mirrors, certain sections of the front end, rear apron, badges, and 18-inch alloy wheels have been painted black for a more aggressive stance.

The glossy black finish on the exterior is also carried over into the cabin. But for the most part, its interior remains unchanged. You still get bucket-style sports seats, leather upholstery, silver contrast stitching, and a flat-bottom steering wheel with mounted paddle shifters.

In spite of its familiar façade, some of its specs were updated for better performance. For instance, this is the first Levorg featuring the New Global Platform currently being used in Subaru Impreza, Legacy, and Ascent. The compact sports wagon has also been fitted with a Bilstein sports suspension system similar to the one found in Levorg Spec-B.

The special edition Levorg packs a more powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged engine under the hood. The four-cylinder boxer churns out up to 295 hp and 400 Nm of torque compared to only 264 hp and 350 Nm in the previous model.

Its engine will be mated to a continuous variable transmission with all-wheel drive. Other features which optimize its performance include the twin-piston brakes and 222/45 tires.

For safety, Levorg V-Sport is equipped with EyeSight Technology. This provides the vehicle with a range of driver assist features including adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist with sway warning, and pre-collision braking and throttle management.

The 2020 Subaru Levorg V-Sport will be available in its home market in Japan. It retails for JPY 3,150,000 or roughly Php 1,478,000 which makes it the cheapest in the range.

Also Read: Subaru Levorg and Impreza to get GT edition models