New Subaru Liberty revealed in Beijing

Rural owners and those who find comfort in a higher hip-point are the targets of the new Subaru Liberty model.

The high-riding Liberty sedan was revealed at the Beijing Motor Show this month and has been confirmed for Australia as part of the 2013 Liberty range due in the third quarter this year.

The as-yet unnamed variant has 18-inch rims and a rides 60mm higher at 210mm to help navigate dirt roads. Inside the seats are raised 70mm to improve ease of entry and exit a major issue for older drivers and parents of kids in car seats.

The 2013 range will include a revised grille, repositioned park brake and SI-Drive switches, a black "metal-type" centre panel and console and chrome-look sill highlights.

Subaru Australia says the variant will only be sold here and in China, reflecting the unique road conditions in the two countries. Managing director Nick Senior points out 60 per cent of Australias roads are still unsealed and says the new variant will make it an obvious contender in rural markets.

"This new Liberty variant will be ideal for Australian roads, where we have a huge percentage of unsealed surfaces and the extra ride height adds to its capability in regional and rural areas," he notes.

"We see its main market to be in rural areas, but it will also be ideal for those with tricky driveways, those who travel with trailers and caravans, or just those who want a sedan where you can sit a bit higher."

Subaru has yet to announce prices but says the new variant will be sold with 2.5-litre four-cylinder and 3.6-litre six-cylinder engines, mated to Subarus symmetrical all-wheel drive system.