Subaru SA has introduced a replacement for the ageing Legacy Outback. The new model becomes available in SA in mid-March and is based on the all-new Legacy sedan, which received rave reviews on its recent international debut.
Subaru says the new Outback continues to offer an unrivalled blend of versatility and luxury. It is therefore best suited to the family man or woman with an active lifestyle.
The Outback is not merely a Legacy on stilts. It receives a new grille while retaining the trademark lower body mouldings to guard against scratches.
Don’t be fooled by its station wagon profile. If previous generations are anything to go by, the new model will be able to go off-road with the best of them, thanks to the X-Mode off-road electronic aids.
Subaru claims an improvement in on-road dynamics as well, thanks to a new Active Torque Vectoring system.
The Outback is still very much a family proposition, but it’s now wrapped up in an even more practical and elegant package. Those roof rails, for example, can be converted to lateral crossbars, while a host of new convenience features, such as an automated tailgate, will be on offer.
The current 2,0-litre Boxer turbodiesel engine and naturally-aspirated petrol powerplant will be carried over from the current model, but Subaru will also have an all-new flagship, driven by a powerful 3,6-litre six-cylinder petrol engine.
All engines are mated to Subaru’s Lineartronic CVT tranmission and patented symmetrical all-wheel drive system.
The tried and trusted 2,5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine produces 123kW and 229Nm, while the top-of-the-line 3,6-litre six-cylinder pushes out an impressive 190kW and 335Nm of torque.
The pick-of-the-range will probably be the 2,0-litre turbodiesel with 110kw and 350Nm on tap. If it delivers the goods like the current model, it’s definitely going to be the top choice.
The cabin is basically all-new. Subaru says it has improved both space and refinement.
Over the last few years Subaru has earned itself a solid reputation for safe vehicles and the new Outback will add to the brand’s good name. It has already paid a visit to Euro NCAP’s crash test centre and has been rewarded with the full five stars for safety.
“The Outback continues to define the segment it created in 1994, combining wagon and SUV like no other vehicle,” says Subaru SA marketing manager Ashley Lazarus. “It remains a trendsetter when it comes to overall capability, and the move upmarket will add a new level of sophistication befitting a premium crossover.”
Pricing is expected to start from R479 000, including a three-year/75 000km comprehensive maintenance plan.
