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First look: 2009 Subaru Liberty

  • By Neil McDonald
  • Herald Sun
image Subaru expects to launch the new Liberty late next year.

The first photo of Subaru's new Liberty has surfaced.

Fuji Heavy Industries has released a teaser shot of the Legacy concept car - Liberty in Australia - destined for next month's Detroit Motor Show.

The good news comes as Subaru announced this week it's withdrawal from the World Rally Championship.

The Japanese firm moved quickly to off-set the disappointing announcement by pointing out that it has ambitious plans for the new Liberty and Outback.

Subaru expects to launch the new Liberty late next year.

Both the Liberty and Outback will grown in size, particularly rear legroom.

Like the Impreza and Forester, the Outback will be further distanced from its Liberty sibling.

Detailed specifications are expected to be revealed at Detroit but the Liberty is tipped to get an upgraded chassis and a further development of its trademark symmetrical all-wheel drive system.

Subaru is also believed to have upgraded its six-cylinder boxer engine, now 3.6-litres, and it is tipped to come with a new tiptronic six speed gearbox.

Both 2.5-litre four cylinder and 3.0-litre six cylinder boxer engines are expected to carry over and diesel buyers will be pleased with the arrival of Subaru's first 2.0-litre turbo-diesel.

The diesel engine has already gone on sale in the current model Outback in Europe with six-speed manual gearbox.

It develops 108kW at 3600 revs and 350Nm from 1800 revs. Fuel economy is sub-7.0 litres/100km.

The Liberty concept will debut almost 20 years to the day of the launch of the original Liberty.

 

Comments on this story

Displaying 3 of 12 comments

  • We just bought a 2006 black Liberty 3.0 B spec. Wonderful. It sits in the same garage as a 2000 Porsche and a 2004 Monaro. It is a plain looking car but it looks special. It doesn't try to impress with all the cheap chintzy lines evident on current Camrys, Maximas and assorted front wheel drive abominations. In fact it looks like how an Audi could finally look good if they tried. the 06 Liberty has very flat sides yet the profile is minimalist par excellence. It just looks nice, understated yes and clearly a classy Subaru (how many of their recent Imprezas for example have looked like pigs? Answer, "Lots"). So how did they come up with the 2009 Liberty? The styling cues are all aspects of Camry, Maxima and Accord. they botched it, didn't they? Of course people will buy them, just like they used to buy Magnas...but the Magna had a loser styling and so does the newest Liberty. Sooby go from a position of distinction which creates a personal and unique identity to a position of copy styling. It's almost as if the honourable gentlemen of Fuji Industries craved acceptance of the most bland car makers in world ... safe, practical yes but bland a big YES. I'm glad we have the '06.

    Ozsteve of Adelaide Posted on 28 August 2009 3:53am
  • Well, we have just purchased the new Liberty and WOW. Excellent car, fantastic look and even better driving than our Holden that we "upgraded" from. We also test drove the Impreza, but the Liberty was better hands down. We are now "Subaru converts"...happy driving.

    Kerri of Australia Posted on 08 March 2009 2:50pm
  • I like tohe look of the new Liberty, but it looks like a concewpt car. Too good to be real, I' own a ForesterGT, What a great vehilcle. I just sold a 2005 Impreza WRX, talk about blow me away. Now I'm looking to buy either a Forester XT Premium or Anew Liberty GT late in '09. If the new Liberty looks anything like this concept car, there is not contest. The latest Forester XT is outstanding, except for the dash mounted DVD. Not safe!. The current Liberty looks O.K, but a new look is desperately needed.Good luck Subaru. You still offer the best value for money, bang for your bucks cars on the market Keep up the good work Nick Serior.

    Bernie Genner of Perth Western Australia Posted on 11 January 2009 2:15am
  • I am sold on AWD. Unfortunately Subaru,while asking a premium price for liberty, have been using AWD as a substitute for keeping up with the competition - 6 speed manuals(Mazda, honda, Europe), steering wheel audio control-a SAFETY feature-(everybody), direct injection(Mazda,Europe), diesels(Mazda, Europe,Korea), auto headlights/washers(Mazda, Mitsubishi,Europe), heated seats, cargo restraints in wagons(Mazda,Europe), DCT(Mitsu,Europe,coming to everybody), rear passenger footroom(everybody else)

    matthew Posted on 09 January 2009 10:27am
  • i own a 03 impreza and i think that it is the best one yet, drove the latest model last month and the handling was terrible compared to the 03 model, and the price is a bit steep.

    david lehrke of airlie beach Posted on 03 January 2009 9:47am
  • you mean someone actually likes the new impreza!! seriously???? liberties have allways been an attractive car! even the early ones were in their day!

    troy of townsville Posted on 26 December 2008 7:56am
  • About time - the liberty hasn't changed it's looks in like 10 years (it's just added flares, then rounded them off with a sander) - it still has them old fashion door handles and no cruise/audio on sterring wheel - how 90s does the whole package feel, and that was in 2004. I tried to check the web site to be sure the 2008 model didn't have them, but they are so ashamed, they don't do a inside view!! I really wanted to by a lib in 2004 and 2008, but I felt apart from the 4wd it was a clear gen behind the honda euro/mazda 6/modeo (2008) class.

    Tony of Melbourne Posted on 23 December 2008 11:22pm
  • hope it comes with bigger mirrors!

    Rob Posted on 23 December 2008 10:57pm
  • WOW! Looks fantastic. Each generation of liberty just gets better than ever. However this time around the exterior matches the performance of the GT/3.0RB. Nick (Senior), get ready to sell these as they'll go like hot cakes! oh, and thanks for keeping the 6 cylinder liberty. Better than the GT.

    Steven of Brissie Posted on 20 December 2008 7:10pm
  • When you compare the last couple models for both the Impreza and the Liberty, the Liberty has been much better looking!! The new Impreza was an abomination... the current Liberty looks fantastic... and judging from the look of this new Liberty concept, it certainly looks the goods!

    Quentin of Sydney Posted on 19 December 2008 12:58pm
  • I personally recon the Impreza is very good looking. Too bad it missed the mark with traditional Impreza / WRX wannabe drivers.

    Amup of Perth Posted on 18 December 2008 2:55pm
  • Wow.. Well from that picture it looks likes they have sacked the impreza designer and hired a italian designer. Any more info on the car would be great.

    Nick Posted on 18 December 2008 12:59pm
Read all 12 comments

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