The 2010 new generation Subaru All Wheel Drive Outback is on sale in New Zealand on 28th August with a powerful and refined look, more spacious and luxurious interior, outstanding fuel economy and major technical advances across the range. The Outback has superb handling and control on all road conditions. The Subaru All Wheel Drive system, low-slung Boxer engine, symmetrical drive train, new chassis and suspension all combine to provide handling far superior to many road-only passenger cars. However without question, the standout story of this new generation Outback range is fuel economy. Fuel consumption is improved in every Outback model, but the star performer of the range is the Outback 2.5i 6-speed CVT auto. This model has an official fuel economy rating of just 8.4-litres per 100km – making it the most fuel-efficient petrol 4WD SUV/crossover over 1,500cc in New Zealand according to official fuel economy figures. The Outback fuel economy credentials are not just limited to the official figures either. In a 430km fuel economy test run from Auckland around the Coromandel peninsula and return, the Outback 2.5i CVT auto achieved a miserly 6.56 l/100km. An economy gauge also provides continuous feedback to the driver on the motor’s performance. What makes this result even more impressive is that the test run was completed with a passenger, 20kg of luggage, and with the vehicle’s air-conditioning and radio on. Furthermore, like every Subaru, Outback has the confidence of full time All Wheel Drive – not just part time or optional 4WD like many other SUV’s. Emissions performance is also improved across the entire range. The significantly larger, quieter cabin offers greater comfort, with better shoulder, head and legroom. Three adults can sit comfortably on the back seat with significant improvements in legroom and more foot room under the front seats. And there is more luggage space in the cargo area which has a wider opening for easier loading of large items. “The new Outback is the smart alternative to large fuel-gulping SUV’s”, says Graeme Woodlands, Managing Director of Subaru of New Zealand. “Outback has the size, comfort and road presence offered by large SUV’s but is safer for families and much more fuel efficient. It also has handling and performance superior to most cars.” “What’s more, our renowned All Wheel Drive system is a full time system – offering safety and performance advantages not offered by many other part-time systems.” “It’s the perfect family and business vehicle during the week, and an outstanding lifestyle vehicle for the weekends.” Drivability reaches new levels of excellence with the introduction of multiple technical changes, including the option of the world-leading Lineartronic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) in 2.5-litre models and Outback’s largest engine yet - the powerful and lightweight 3.6-litre horizontally opposed six-cylinder Boxer. It produces 191 kWs and 350 Nm of torque and can run on 91 octane fuel for greater savings at the petrol pump. The All Wheel Drive Outback also raises the safety bar with the addition of a knee SRS airbag for the driver and an engine “cradle” that folds to absorb energy in heavy frontal collisions.
A five-star ANCAP safety rating is anticipated across the range with the official results coming in September – the addition of a driver knee SRS airbag takes the total number of airbags to seven and the cabin has been strengthened in strategic areas. The Lineartronic CVT is available on all 2.5-litre normally aspirated Outback models and contributes to impressive fuel economy and requires no transmission fluid replacement, unless being driven in severe conditions continually. A six-speed manual gearbox is available on the entry-level Outback 2.5i. Steering wheel paddle shifters are standard on all CVT models and the range topping Outback 3.6R which comes with a five speed automatic gearbox. Framed door windows have been introduced for greater noise suppression, strength and security. Wider opening doors allow easier access, particularly to the rear seat. Dual zone air conditioning is standard on all Outback models as is a new electronic park brake system providing a clean and sophisticated interior look. DataDot security is also standard on every Outback – in line with the entire Subaru range. Keyless access and a push button start system is fitted to the 3.6R model, which also has automatic dusk sensing headlights that respond to specific driving conditions and automatic rain sensing windscreen wipers for optimum driver vision. Service intervals are now at 12,500 kilometres/12 months on all models. The fourth generation Outback takes the model’s sophistication, safety, durability and innovation to a remarkable new level. Safety is not optional at Subaru. That’s clearly demonstrated by the inclusion of dual front, side, curtain and knee SRS airbags, energy-absorbing engine cradle, ring-shaped reinforcement body frame and strategic strengthening of the body using high tensile steel and the Subaru tailored blank welding process. That’s all in addition to standard Electronic Stability Control and ABS brakes with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and Brake Assist, anti-whiplash front seats, plus a raft of other detailed safety features that shows Subaru isn’t resting on its laurels, despite being a leader in this field.
The high level specification Outback 2.5i has a choice of Lineartronic CVT or six-speed manual transmission sitting on 17-inch alloy wheels with 225/60/R17 tyres and 200mm ground clearance. It is priced from $45,490.
The Outback 2.5i Premium adds leather upholstery, 10-way memory power driver’s seat, electric sunroof and rear air vents and costs $52,490. The Outback 3.6R Premium includes the six-cylinder engine, five-speed Sportshift automatic, leather trim, 8-way power passenger seat, Xenon HID headlights, electric sunroof, push button start, rain sensing washers and fully automatic dusk sensing headlights and is tagged at $59,990.
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