What’s a top model’s life like? We talk to Asia’s Next Top Model Season 2 contestant and Subaru brand ambassador Natalie Pickles about life on top of the heap.

Natalie Pickles is always on the go and needs a car to match. After being a contestant on the second season of Asia’s Next Top Model (ANTM) and winning the Subaru challenge during the show, this 25-year old Taiwanese model and designer has contantly been in demand. She tells us all about her life after ANTM, and her experience with her Subaru XV that she has been driving for nearly a year.

Subie Times: How has life been after ANTM 2?
Natalie Pickles: My life has been full of adventures and excitement after the show. You need a lot of bravery to leave everything behind and be on a national reality TV show. I took a risk and quit my job to join Asia’s Next Top Model. I went from a nine-to-five office job, and now I’m an international model and I have been travelling all over Asia as Subaru’s ambassador. I am so grateful for all the support of my friends, family and fans.

Must be great to be able to just sit back and relax for now. What interesting adventures have you had with your XV so far?
The first day I got my Subaru XV I decided to go on a road trip with my friends around Taiwan. It had been one of my “to-do things” for a long time. We drove to the coastal areas and to the mountains, which had some rough roads and sharp turns. My XV preformed really well and I felt in control. This car definitely suits my lifestyle.

Where do you usually drive?
I live in Taipei, and it’s a very busy city with lots of traffic. I like driving my car out sometimes, up to the mountains or to the coasts. The mountains of Taiwan have really nice hot springs and are good for hiking. I also enjoy surfing. My Subaru XV is quite spacious, which allows me to fit in all my equipment. I really enjoy outdoor activities so having my own car helps me to get to places faster and more easily.

How different is it to drive an XV?
I feel safe and confident when I am driving my Subaru XV. Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and Boxer Engine makes a significant difference compared to my old 2WD car. It has better control and balance with less vibration. It makes my ride feel exceptionally smooth. The auto-system makes me feel like my car is always looking out for me. It will switch my lights on automatically when needed and adjust my windscreen wiper speed depending on the amount of rain. When I am parking my car it will turn on the back camera to help with my visibility. It is a very well-designed car.

Any other features of the Subaru that you love?
One of the biggest benefits is safety. It is the only brand with IIHS TOP Safety Picks for All Models. They put in a lot of effort into designing their models. Subaru cars are also not prone to slippage in any road condition, which decreases the chances of an accident. It makes me feel very safe being in my XV. I also really like the idling stop function. It is environmentally friendly and designed to reduce unnecessary gas emissions. Subaru also provides good after-sales-service. When I took my XV for maintenance, it was done really efficiently and professionally. I was very satisfied with their service.

You’ve gone on long drives. What’s your favourite road-trip playlist?
I use Bluetooth to connect my XV with my phone so I can play music on Spotify. Normally, I play the Acoustic Lounge or House Music for a long drive.

What’s in the pipeline for you? Any upcoming projects we should watch out for?
I am currently working on becoming a TV host while doing some modeling on the side. I have future projects with FOX International and other companies. I will continue travelling a lot and I want to take on all challenges in life. I would also like to continue to promote Subaru and design an accessory line for them.

Music for the Road

To chill out or get yourself all pumped up for your holiday, we recommend some tunes to keep you upbeat on the road.

The Road so Far

Here is a rundown of the main events over the past couple of months from around the region. From palm challenges to motor shows, it has been a very busy and exciting year for Subaru!

Spot the Difference!

Keep your car spic and span with these neat ways to counter stains and smells when accidents happen in the car.