The multi-purpose Exiga minivan is very close to making it Down Under. Photo Gallery
The countdown has started for the newest model to join the Subaru wagon family.
Subaru Australia managing director, Nick Senior, is close to signing off on the multi-purpose Exiga minivan.
Senior and his marketing team are expected to make a decision on the seven-seater next month. However, he says there is still some work to do before signing off.
"We're obviously looking at Exiga," Senior says.
"We've done clinics here.
"There's one running around at the moment doing some preliminary work on testing."
"We haven't pressed the button on it, yet. That's probably going to come after a few more discussions in late January. And if it is coming it's probably late next year."
Senior says the car is likely to be available as one model only, possibly a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre four-cylinder that delivers 108kW at 6000 revs and 191Nm at 3200 revs.
"It won't have a turbo engine," he says.
In Japan, Exiga goes head-to-head with the likes of the Mazda CX-7 and Toyota Kluger with a starting price of $45,000.
The wagon is slightly wider, longer and taller than the Outback but shares key hardware with other Subarus.
The front suspension is from the Forester and rear multi-link system from the Impreza. It has an 80mm longer wheelbase than the Outback but is just 10mm longer overall than its cousin.
The extra roof height ensures plenty of room for third-row passengers.
If the Exiga does get the green light, Senior says it will not mean the end of the seven-seater Tribeca.
"Since we introduced the new model Tribeca we're averaging about 100 a month," he says.
"Previously we did about 50 a month with the old model."
Senior says the Tribeca and Exiga will appeal to very different groups, demographics and segmentation.
"They can quite easily sit compatibly in the model range," he says.
However, Fuji has not yet committed to a plans for a third-generation Tribeca, which initially was designed as a left-hand drive vehicle for North America.
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