Subaru's meagre range gets a new addition later this year with the launch of the Exiga mini-MPV.

Barely changed from the concept car that was unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show last year, the Exiga is sportier than most people-carriers with its tapered roofline, sharp appearance and, in Turbo guise, side-skirts.

Combining the words Exciting and Active to create the name, it is not the first time Subaru have attempted to take on the likes of the Mazda 5 and the Toyota Corolla Verso, after they sold a re-badged Vauxhall Zafira in Japan for some time.

For those of you interested in blurring the boundaries between spacious and sporty, the Exiga does, however, comes with both good and bad news. First, the good news: the Exiga comes with Impreza underpinnings beneath its unassuming exterior, which is likely to ensure an involving driving experience to match that offered by the Ford S-MAX.

However, the bad news is a deal-killer: It doesn't look like the Exiga will be sold in Europe. Sadly, despite dealers urging them to make the most of the huge mini-MPV market on this side of the world, Subaru are reluctant to venture out of Japan, particularly as it hasn't been developed with an all-important diesel in mind.

Still, there is hope that Subaru will change their mind, but for the moment the Exiga will be just out of reach until the end of 2009 at the earliest.