Subaru Shows Rendering of Upcoming B9X Sport Utility Crossover

Subaru is stressing three particular design points in the styling of the new

The new corporate nose, which made its debut on the B11S concept car, will find its way to the front of the B9X. (Photo: Subaru of America)

B9X. Perhaps the most important of the three is the new corporate nose which made its debut on the B11S concept car, spreading to the B9SC sports car concept and the R1e minicar concept. The striking new nose was designed by Subaru's young head stylist, Andreas Zapatinas. Officially, the Asian-only R2 minicar was the first to receive the eye-catching front end, but the B9X will be the first vehicle on the global market to receive this treatment. The front end is centered around a central, triangular-shaped grille, which is flanked on both sides by wing-shaped intakes, a nod to Subaru's past as an aircraft manufacturer. Thin, high-mounted headlights complete the ensemble. As a model which

The B9X's design theme is quite similar to that of Nissan's Murano (shown) and Infiniti's FX-series vehicles. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

inherited the newfound styling traits of the concept cars, it also adapted an all-new alphanumeric naming scheme.

Other outstanding areas of the B9X's exterior design include an unusually curvy roofline which is said to express a sense of dynamic motion. In addition, sculpted fenders and wheel arches add to the SUV's sporty shape and convey a message of power and agility. The end product, as seen in the preliminary sketches, is not at all like a traditional, upright sport utility vehicle, but rather is much more car-like. This design theme is quite similar to that of Nissan's Murano and Infiniti's FX-series vehicles, incorporating a sleeker body to reduce wind noise, and a lower center of gravity to improve handling.