For 1988, Subaru has a new top-of-the-line XT6 sports model powered by afuel-injected 2.7-liter 6-cylinder engine, the first 6 in a Subaru long known for only 4s.
The 2.7 boasts 145 horsepower, a hefty boost from the 97 h.p. on Subaru`s regularly aspirated 1.8-liter 4 or the 115 h.p. on its turbocharged 1.8.
The XT6 is offered in front-wheel or full-time four-wheel drive version.We drove the front-drive model, which accounts for about 40 percent of sales. The steering system features cybrid control, which means that rather than operate off a pump, it`s got an electric motor in which computer sensorsregulate the amount of assist based on wheel input.
While cybrid technically becomes mumbo jumbo to most of us, it means that whatever the situation or the speed of travel, the steering felt just right.Just enough assist to pass or merge, a bit more to parallel park. Combinedwith a suspension that held the body in check in sharp corners, the XT6 hasabove-average handling and road manners.
The 2.7 is teamed with only automatic transmission in the front-drive XT6 version. The four-wheel-drive offers 5-speed or automatic. Good power, but we never felt like all 145 horses were let loose. The mileage rating with front- drive is 20 miles per gallon city/28 m.p.g. highway; with four-wheel driveit`s 19/25.
The low-slung, clean front end with hidden headlamps contributes to thesports look. An abundance of dials, buttons and knobs inside contributes to a space-age appearance that at times is too cluttered. The radio has 18controls, for example.
The steering wheel is flanked by pods with more controls-heat, air,defroster and wipers on the right; lights, cruise control and rear defrosteron the left. Then there are window and mirror buttons in the armrest and fanand temperature setting in the center console.
There are annoyances other than being battered by buttons: A single,Mercedes-like windshield wiper rather than two for heavy rains; a rear seatsadly lacking room, but which folds flat to provide access to the trunk andadd capacity for luggage and groceries; a gas filler door release thatrequires prayer-and a fist-to open.
Base price of the front-drive XT6 is $16,716, a $600 increase since May 1 thanks to the strength of the yen against the dollar. The four-wheel-driveversion starts at $17,556 with 5-speed and $18,316 with automatic, both up$600.
