ON FRONT PAG E N O R T H E AST V I C TO R I A , A L P S A N D H I G H CO U N T RY
MAY 6 - 12, 2016
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New buyers flock to
Subaru Outback
SUBARU OUTBACK: It combines the best of both SUV and family passenger car. WHEN it was launched two decades ago Subaru Outback was at the forefront of the steady rise in popularity of car based SUVs. For most of this boom period Outback has been a consistent but unspectacular sales performer which, despite Subaru’s clever mechanical engineering, was overlooked for taller, more stylish and cheaper competitors. All that changed with the arrival of the latest, fifth-generation, model in December 2014. Price cuts of between $2000 and $10,000 were the hook that got potential buyers into the Subaru showrooms where they were presented with a significantly
By ALISTAIR KENNEDY improved vehicle in terms of size, styling and interior quality. The impact was immediate and spectacular with sales increasing by more than 400 per cent over the previous (admittedly poor) year to just under 11,000 sales. The year was then capped off with the Outback 2.5i Premium taking out the Best AWD SUV under $50,000 category in the 2015 Australia’s Best Cars Awards; although it did so by tipping out its Forester stablemate. Despite some minor price increases a February 2016 upgrade has accelerated
sales even further with a number of new safety and convenience features including an upgraded version of the Subaru EyeSight system and a new Vision Assist feature in all but the entry-level model. Engine size identifies the five Outback variants: 2.5i, 2.5i Premium, 2.0D, 2.0D Premium and 3.6R. Outback comes with the choice of three horizontally-opposed engines – a 2.5-litre four-cylinder and 3.6-litre six-cylinder petrol, and a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged diesel. Power and torque peaks are 129 kW and 235 Nm (2.5i); 191 kW and 350 Nm (3.6R); and 110 kW and 350 Nm (2.0D). Top torque comes in at 4000 rpm, 4400
rpm and 1800-2800 rpm respectively. All models come with continuously variable transmission with a seven-ratio manual override available via steering wheel mounted paddle-shifters. The 2.0D and 2.0D Premier diesel models get the option of six-speed manual. Although Outback doesn’t have the extra height of the typical SUV there’s plenty of headroom, even with a sunroof, and the interior is spacious and comfortable with room for five adults. Seats are large and supportive with eight-way front seat power adjustment in the Premium and 3.6R.
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