Subaru Outback 2008 News

Subaru Australia managing director, Nick Senior, is close to signing off on the multi-purpose Exiga minivan.

The world's first common-rail, horizontally opposed turbodiesel has just arrived in Europe in the Liberty and Outback. In Europe diesel is cheaper and demand for diesel-powered cars is high. In the UK

Expected high demand for the new turbodiesel Subaru engine in Europe has effectively ruled it out of the Australian market this year.The world's first common-rail, horizontally opposed turbodiesel has just arrived in Europe in the Liberty and Outback. In Europe diesel is cheaper and demand for diesel-powered cars is high.In the UK, diesel Libertys and Outbacks are expected to account for about 80 per cent of sales.The new Forester receives the engine in September and Impreza three months later.Subaru Australia had initially hoped to get the diesel into the Forester when it's launched in March. Now this is unlikely, according to spokesman David Rowley.However, the redesigned Outback and Liberty due next year are tipped to have the engine. The 2.0-litre TD Subbie engine develops 110kW at 3600 revs and 350Nm at 1800 revs.Subaru set out to make the common-rail engine exceptionally smooth, quiet and refined.It is similar in size to the 2.0-litre petrol engine.Like its petrol cousins, the turbodiesel sits low in the engine bay, providing a low centre of gravity.The company says the Liberty TD will hit 100km/h in 8.5 seconds and has a top of 202km/h. The Outback takes 8.8 seconds to reach 100km/h and has a fractionally slower top of 199km/h.The engine is Subaru's first diesel developed in-house after more than 40-years expertise in boxer engine technology.Compared with Subaru's 2.0-litre petrol engine, the 2.0-litre diesel has a 11mm longer stroke and 6mm smaller bore for a capacity of 1998cc versus 1994cc.Thanks to a bore pitch shortened from 113mm to 98.4mm, the overall engine block length is only 353.5mm, compared with 414.8mm in the petrol engine. The block is made of an extremely rigid design, and all five main bearings in the alloy cylinder block use metal composite supports for strength and durability.The diesel has liquid engine mounts, with the body benefiting from extra soundproofing. The five-speed manual gearbox has higher ratios to suit the diesel's stronger torque and lower engine speed.The variable-vane turbocharger is mounted under the engine for low centre of gravity, and a fast-warm catalytic converter is also mounted under the engine.The power-steering is electric, to improve fuel economy, yet is tuned for strong feel and response.The front spring rates and front brakes have been beefed up to cope with the extra weight.Even the airconditioning unit has been modified to provide hot air earlier in the engine's warm-up cycle.Visually, the Liberty and Outback diesels share the same bonnet scoop as the turbocharged petrol models.The Liberty TD will hit 100km/h IN 8.5 seconds and has a top of 202km/h. 

A Subdued Subaru is about to start making some noise with more power and a range of new models to be introduced over the next year.In Australia, the 2008 Liberty and Outback models will arrive with beefier engines and extra safety features.They will be followed by the launch of the new Impreza later this month, then a facelifted Tribeca luxury SUV with a more efficient 3.6-litre boxer engine and five-speed auto, and a new Forester in March.Subaru Australia managing director Nick Senior said “It has been relatively quiet for us on the model front, but the avalanche is here.”Subaru will also launch a new model blitz at next month's Frankfurt Motor Show.Leading the line-up is the new Impreza five-door hatchback, an Impreza-based World Rally Car Concept, new Justy one-litre supermini and a horizontally opposed boxer turbo-diesel engine, due to be progressively installed in models from early next year.Subaru Australia corporate affairs manager David Rowley said there were “no firm dates on diesel yet”.“We understand Europe will be the initial focus,” he said.The new Liberty and Outback, on sale now, look the same from the outside, but feature new engine technology, safety features and new prices.While the entry-level $31,990 Liberty 2.0R has gone and the new entry level is the Liberty 2.5i at $32,490, that price is down from $34,990.The automatic entry-level 2.5i is also down $2000 to $34,990.“The 2.0R was replaced in line with customer preference for the larger engine in an entry-level Liberty,” Rowley said.Senior also points out that these vehicles now have more power and features.Power in the Liberty and Outback 2.5 litre normally aspirated engine is up 5 per cent to 127Kw at 6000rpm.On the safety front, Outback 2.5i and 3.0R now get curtain airbags to complete this feature throughout the Liberty and Outback ranges, and Vehicle Dynamics Control is now standard on all Sportshift automatic 2.5-litre Liberty and Outback models.Also new to Liberty is a Heritage variant that adds rear privacy glass, black leather trim, eight-way adjustable power driver's seat and sunroof.Liberty 2.5i Premium adds a McIntosh audio system with six-stack in-dash CD and 14 speakers and self-levelling bi-Xenon headlights with pop-up washers at an extra $1300.Of the 22 Liberty variants, four are new, 10 are the same price as superseded models, three have decreased up to 7.1 per cent in price and five have increased, while adding features.