Subaru unveils the Crosstrek
Subaru's XV has evolved, with the popular, AWD compact SUV reimagined and re-christened as the Crosstrek.
Subaru's latest SUV offering fills a need for drivers looking for something smaller and a little more potent than your average.
The 2020 Levorg 2.0 GT-S, successor to the much missed Legacy GTB wagon, features 19” black STI wheels with cross-drilled brake rotors.
It also comes with an STI strut brace for better cornering, a black mesh grille, black badges and matt black accents which on previous models were chrome.
This all-wheel-drive, standalone model is powered by a turbocharged 2.0L direct injection boxer engine producing 197 Kw at 5600 rpm and 350 Nm torque between 2400-5200 rpm. Fuel consumption is 8.7L/100km.
Factory Bilstein suspension units achieve superior handling.
The Levorg has the eight-speed Subaru Lineartronic transmission with paddle shift, complemented by the Subaru Intelligent Drive system with several performance modes from sporty to economical.
A key part of the package is the maker’s third-generation EyeSight safety technology. This identifies potentially dangerous driving situations and deals with them via its pre-collision braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, lane sway warning and lead car alert.
Other driver aids include rear cross traffic alert, blind spot detection and a front and side camera for easier parking. The Levorg comes with seven airbags and an ANCAP 5-star safety rating.
In the cabin, premium leather upholstery (with 10-way powered driver’s seat memory) and heated front seats warm your butt on those chilly winter mornings.
Intuitive technology sees built-in satellite navigation powered by TomTom including real time traffic information.
A 7-inch touch screen allows easy configuration of the vehicle’s main functions and connections to the outside world are via Apple Car play or Android auto.
A verbal stoush has broken out between Federated Farmers and a new group that claims to be fighting against cheaper imports that undermine NZ farmers.
According to the latest ANZ Agri Focus report, energy-intensive and domestically-focused sectors currently bear the brunt of rising fuel, fertiliser and freight costs.
Having gone through a troublesome “divorce” from its association and part ownership of AGCO, Indian manufacturer TAFE is said to be determined to be seen as a modern business rather than just another tractor maker from the developing world.
Two long-standing New Zealand agricultural businesses are coming together to strengthen innovation, local manufacturing capability, and access to essential farm inputs for farmers across the country.
A new farmer-led programme aimed at bringing young people into dairy farming is under way in Waikato and Bay of Plenty.
The Government has announced changes to stock exclusion regulations which it claims will cut unnecessary costs and inflexible rules while maintaining environmental protections.

OPINION: If you ask this old mutt, the choice at the next election isn't shaping up as a contest of…
OPINION: A mate of yours says we're long overdue for a reckoning on what value farmers really get for the…