Subaru teases XV ahead of launch

This is a picture of a wheel. And a headlight. And a bit of a bumper. From which, we're expected to deduce what Subaru's Qashqai rival will look like.

Thankfully, it follows the very ready-looking concept we saw at this year's Shanghai show, which you can stare at whimsically by clicking on these blue words.

The actual production XV will be fully unsheathed on September 13 during this year's Frankfurt motor show, confirmed today by parent company Fuji Heavy Industries.

So, what else do we know? The XV moniker doesn't allude to anything in particular - it's a five-seater, it'll go on sale in 2012, it's got four-wheel drive and, according to Subaru, it'll "combine the latest distinctive Subaru elements with the commanding silhouette expected of a crossover." Fancy.

It adds: "Subaru also expects the XV will bring a new type of customer to the brand, people who are confident in the knowledge of the company's AWD and engineering expertise and who are also looking for the flexibility and lifestyle statement that owning a crossover brings."

What lifestyle statement do you think owning a crossover SUV makes, TopGear.commers?