Subaru Liberty News

Liberty wagon and Exiga to join Tribeca among discontinued models ahead of 2015 Liberty and Outback arrivals.Subaru is now fighting to refill the gaps left by the demise of the Tribeca, the likely end of the Exiga and the news that the 2015 Liberty range won't include a wagon.Subaru Australia spokesman David Rowley says "there is no 2015 Liberty wagon. That will be taken up by the Outback''.Subaru isn't alone in reducing its exposure to the wagon market. Toyota dropped the Camry wagon, there's no Nissan Altima wagon and Holden's Malibu is available only as a sedan.These manufacturers have pushed wagon buyers onto their SUV models. For Subaru, that will mean Liberty wagon buyers will have to go to the Outback – a car that doesn't arrive in its new version until early in 2015.Though not official, Subaru appears to be waving off the Liberty-based Exiga, the last remaining Subaru with seven seats after the demise earlier of the Tribeca. The Exiga departs because it's on the old Liberty platform.The new Liberty is here as a sedan-only model in December. The withdrawal of three wagons from its range will impact further on dwindling Subaru sales.Subaru Liberty sales are down 62 per cent in the year to June compared with 2013. Outback sales are 1325 in the six-month period, a slip of 35 per cent, but are still more than double those of the 593 sedans and wagons of the Liberty range.Subaru Australia spokesman David Rowley says declining sales of Liberty are attributable to the model's run out before the new model in December."Stock is getting short,"he says. But while Subaru Australia has put its hand up for the Levorg wagon – an Impreza-based wagon first shown in 2013 as a concept and now on sale in Japan – it still has no positive answer from Japan."Nick (Senior, Subaru Australia managing director) continues talking to Japan about a business case for Levorg but there is no decision yet,"Mr Rowley says. Levorg, commonly called the "WRX wagon"and available in Japan as a turbocharged 125kW/250Nm 1.6 or 221kW/400Nm 2-litre, slots in above the XV and under the Liberty/Outback.Mr Rowley says Levorg was always intended to be a Japan-only model but because it shares Australia's right-hand drive configuration – and because of the demise of up to three wagons on our market – it is of interest here.However, it's unlikely to arrive in time to fill the gap left by the departing Liberty wagon and the run-out Outback. The 2015 Outback is not due until early 2015.Subaru gave the current Outback a makeover late in 2013. It included a return to the plastic side-cladding and more rugged nose last used when the model was launched in 2009.The 2015 Liberty and Outback models will debut a new generation of Subaru's Eyesight radar-camera collision avoidance technology.

Subaru took the wraps off the new sixth-generation Liberty just last week, and there’s already talk of new engine options for the mid-size sedan in the near future.The US-spec Legacy shown in Chicago featured almost-carryover 2.5-litre four and 3.6-litre six-cylinder boxer engines from the existing fifth-generation model, with minor efficiency tweaks and a CVT auto available with the six for the first time.However, a report by Car and Driver suggests that a version of the 2.0-litre turbo four found in the Forester XT and new WRX will soon be added, and likely to replace the performance-focused 2.5-litre turbo GT for the Australian market.The report also suggests the 3.6-litre six is set to be replaced by a smaller-capacity, yet more powerful unit within the next couple of years. Subaru are yet to release consumption figures for the CVT-equipped 3.6, but the existing five-speed auto paired version sips a relatively thirsty 10.3L/100.Expect this figure to drop significantly with a new smaller engine, which is likely to embrace direct injection along with a CVT auto to rival the 9.3L/100km achieved by the Liberty’s Toyota Aurion and Nissan Altima V6 rivals.The new engine is not expected to be ready for the new Liberty-based Outback’s debut at the New York motor show in April, with a debut in the Tribeca SUV’s replacement being more likely.This reporter is on Twitter: @Mal_Flynn 

Subaru has officially taken the wraps off the new sixth-generation Liberty mid-size sedan, with its Legacy-badged US cousin making an appearance at the Chicago motor show this week.The new model’s styling had already been uncovered after images leaked online earlier this week, but Subaru has now confirmed several new details.Revealed in sedan only for now, the new Liberty is 51mm longer than the fifth-generation model (now 4796mm), 60mm wider at 1840mm, and 5mm lower at 1500mm, riding on the same 2750mm wheelbase.Building on the styling of the current Impreza, Forester and the recently unveiled WRX, Subaru describes the new Liberty’s more sculptured body as “muscularity with agility.”Also like the Impreza and Forester, the new Liberty’s A-pillars have been moved forward and the wing mirrors relocated to the doors to improve driver visibility.The extra body width and improved packaging has resulted in improvements to occupant shoulder, elbow, waist and rear leg room within the all-new interior.The Liberty’s chassis has been revised with greater use of high-strength steel for improved rigidity, and revised suspension geometry for improved dynamics and ride quality, while Active Torque Vectoring has been added to direct torque more effectively to each wheel.The existing 2.5-litre four and 3.6-litre six-cylinder boxer petrol engines are carried over for the new model, with several revisions to improve driveability and efficiency of the all-wheel drive lineup.For the 2.5-litre, US specs suggest outputs of 130kW/236Nm (up 3kW/1Nm), but mid-range torque has been improved, along with undisclosed fuel economy gains.Six-cylinder models now come paired with a CVT auto like existing four-cylinder option, stepping up from the five-speed torque converter unit used with the current six.US specs claim outputs of 190kW/335Nm (down 1kW/15Nm), while a new ECU combines with the new transmission to also result in an undisclosed fuel consumption improvement.On the safety front, the new Liberty is available with a revised EyeSight driver assistance system that gains reversing radar for the first time, along with blind-spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert, plus active cornering lights. The side airbags are now a two-chamber design, and the curtain airbags now cover a larger area.This reporter is on Twitter: @Mal_Flynn 

Subaru is readying the 2015 Liberty (known as the Legacy in other markets) for an unveiling at Chicago motor show tomorrow, but has been beaten to the punch by images appearing online, giving us a look inside and out.First posted on a US site, the images show more conventional styling than the Legacy Concept that was unveiled last year, but a sleeker coupe-like roof line than the current model.The interior shots show a streamlined approach to dashboard layout, handsome saddle-stitched leather upholstery and metal and wood-finish accents.Subaru has already announced the car will get the latest version of its Eyesight safety system, with stereo colour cameras that have expanded the monitored area and improved recognition of obstacles and pedestrian traffic.The Liberty is likely to continue with the current engines: a 127kW/235Nm 2.5-litre as the opener with six-speed manual and CVT auto transmission choices, and a 195kW/350Nm turbocharged 2.5-litre with the chance of a six-speed auto replacing the current five-speed for the upper spec. The cars will of course carry on with Subaru's signature all-wheel drive system.Expect to see the Liberty arrive here early next year, followed by the wagon version that will be unveiled at a future motor show later in 2014.This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott 

The Subaru Liberty is marking its 25th anniversary for the Legacy nameplate under which it sells overseas, and to chime in with the birthday the carmaker is unveiling the next version at Chicago motor show on February 6.Subaru has released a teaser image that gives a look at the profile, but fans will already have an idea of what to expect, after seeing the Legacy concept that debuted at the Los Angeles show in November. The Japanese brand has already said the 2015 Liberty will get sharper styling and more features, including the latest iteration of Subaru's Eyesight safety system, with colour stereo cameras with a larger range and better ability to recognise obstacles and pedestrians.No further details have been released, but it's likely the current naturally-aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder will continue in the lower-level models, mated in Australia only to a six-speed continuously variable auto transmission - and it's unlikely the outputs will change from the exiting car's 127kW of power and 235Nm of torque.And the turbocharged 2.5-litre for the upper levels is also expected to return, with both six-speed manual and possibly a six-speed auto replacing the outgoing five-speed, plus a hoped-for increase on the current 195kW and 350Nm.All variants will feature Subaru's all-wheel drive. A wagon body is also in the wings, although we may not see that until a future motor show later in 2014.This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott 

The new styling is previewed on the Legacy Concept at the LA motor show and, even though it will be wound back from the brutish show car, everything points to a new direction for the Liberty in 2015. The next Liberty is expected to be bigger, with significantly better cabin quality and styling more like the Forester and Outback SUVs than the elegance of earlier Libertys. Subaru boss Nick Senior is not surprised Subaru chose the LA motor show, and not the Tokyo show that also opens this week, to preview the Liberty alongside the new WRX. "If you can crack it in California you can crack it anywhere," Senior says. "From a Subaru point of view, the US market is incredibly important (and is) recovering strongly. The company has hit our highest sales record of over 400,000 cars this year. California is the biggest regional market and arbiter of taste and style." Subaru has pushed the boundaries with the frontal treatment on the concept car, but it's the cabin - inspired by a smartphone - that is the biggest advance. It also has a coupe-style roofline, the current design trend for all sedans, but there are only four seats. Senior says not to read too much into the Legacy Concept, despite the importance of the coming Liberty replacement. The LA concept also celebrates the 25th anniversary of the car in 2014, even though the new model will not arrive for more than year.   _______________________________________  

While Subaru is taking the wraps of a concept pointing to the next Liberty wagon styling at Tokyo motor show next week, around the other side of the world it will coincide with the silk being whipped off the sedan version in Los Angeles.Subaru has released images showing the sleeker look for the next Legacy sedan -- known as the Liberty here -- ahead of the four-seater concept car's its official debut at LA show next week, and marking the car's 25th anniversary. And while we can expect the styling to be toned down before it his the production line, the show car has sleeker cues that suggest the Liberty may be shedding some of its staid approach.And a new look could reinvigorate sales, which have lagged for the current model launched in 2009, which this year has sold 2,208, down about 40 per cent on the 3,678 that had rolled out the door this time last year.The LA show sedan, which marks 25 years of the Liberty, gets a sexier four-door coupe approach with some hints of aggression in the low-slung body with its short overhangs, hexagonal grille flanked by 'hawk-eye' headlights, muscular wheel arches, plus prominent vertical front intake ducts and rear diffuser -- neither of which is likely to survive to production.There are no details of what's under the bonnet, but we already know the Levorg wagon concept bound for Tokyo is powered by a new turbocharged and direct-injected 1.6-litre four-cylinder 'boxer' engine, so the performance focus of the sedan styling hints we could see the LA concept carrying a higher tune of that powerplant, plus Subaru's signature all-wheel drive.This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott 

Subaru has revealed teaser images of the Levorg concept it will unveil at Tokyo motor show in November -- and likely go on to build as the wagon version of the new Subaru Liberty.

Subaru has announced a host of cosmetic, handling and efficient technology changes to its Liberty line-up for 2013. Entry-level pricing has been sharpened by $2000 with the Liberty 2.5i sedan which loses leather and is now priced from $32,990. Power and torque improves on normally aspirated 2.5 litre variants, while fuel efficiency is also refined by up to 4.8 per cent, thanks to the new generation FB horizontally-opposed boxer engine, linked to the latest Lineartronic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). Subaru's award-winning EyeSight driver assist system is also introduced on additional Liberty variants, including the 2.5i Premium, despite a pricing reduction of $1500.  Liberty's revised all-wheel drive system improves precision in torque distribution between front and back wheels, benefiting handling and stability. The technical refinements, including suspension and handling, were tested on Australian roads. In addition to the new engine, automatic transmission and alloy wheel patterns, Liberty 2.5i with leather trim now adds factory-fitted satellite navigation and a new colour information display. Liberty sales are up 12 per cent year-to-date.  

The addition -- coming as part of the Exiga’s mid-life revision – puts another possie in the middle of the second row, taking the original six-seater up a notch.The passenger in the new spot gets a proper three-point lap-sash seatbelt – the absence of which was the reason Subaru did not offer the seven-seat option when the Exiga first arrived three years ago.There are now also three sets of child-seat anchor points in the middle row. Other changes to the Liberty Exiga include a new door mirror design on all models and new 17-in alloy wheels for the Premium spec versions.The price remains at current levels, starting from $37,990 for the 123kW/229NM 2.5-litre Liberty Exiga 2.5i and from $42,490 for the Premium spec that adds features such as leather, foglights and window tinting.“Liberty Exiga will now appeal to even more families that need the option of a seventh seat, in addition to the significant cargo volume it offers for load carrying, with the seats down in a variety of combinations,” Subaru Australia managing director Nick Senior says.