2009 Subaru Liberty Reviews

Ewan Kennedy road tests and reviews the 2003, 2004, 2009, 2010 and 2013 Subaru Liberty and Outback as used buys.

The choices available to car buyers today can be bewildering. Where once you chose between a sedan and a wagon todays car buyers have a vast range of models to choose from, models that are specifically targeted at particular parts of the market. Families can now choose from sedans, wagons, SUVs and peoplemovers,

Subaru's largest passenger car, the Liberty, has a well-deserved reputation for toughness and reliability with Australian buyers. The Subaru Outback is an interesting variant on the Liberty station wagon. On the market since 1996 it is intended as a halfway step between a conventional station wagon and a dedicated 4WD.In its earlier models Subaru Outback had a tougher appearance than the standard wagon because of the additional protective plastic facings on the doors. These were discontinued with the new generation of 2003 to give the vehicle a more upmarket air, though there are many Subaru advocates who preferred the tougher look of the original.Since 1995 only all-wheel drive Liberty models have been sold in Australia, prior to then there were also front-wheel drive versions, even by 1995 these were comparatively rare because buyers had already sussed out the advantages of driving all four wheels.Unusually for Japanese cars, Libertys and Outbacks, indeed all Subarus, are popular with country drivers as well as those from metro areas. Libertys and Outbacks are much loved by snow skiers because their permanent all-wheel drive system makes them safer and more capable in slippery conditions than a 2WD vehicle.Subaru Liberty first arrived in this country in 1989 and struck a chord with local buyers almost immediately. These older models are generally getting long in the tooth so may be near the end of their lives. You’re probably better off avoiding them.Liberty is sold as a four-door sedan and a five-door station wagon, with a much larger percentage of wagons being sold than in other models in the mid-size class. The combination of the traction of all-wheel drive and the practicality of a wagon rear end is a strong one.The engines have a flat ‘boxer’ layout to lower the centre of gravity for improved road holding. Engine capacities in the four-cylinder models are 2.0, 2.2 and 2.5 litres. The 2.0 actually has more performance than the 2.2 being a later design.Flat-six engines began with a 3.0-litre unit in the Outback and later the Liberty range, its capacity increased to 3.6 litres in September 2009. Subaru calls the flat-six engines the H6 - ‘H’ for horizontally opposed, but most owners tend to retain the use of flat-six or boxer for it.There are a couple of high-performance Subaru Liberty variants. The Liberty RS has a 2.0-litre turbocharged unit and was introduced here in 1992. It was on sale for less than two years, when it was upstaged by the smaller and lighter Subaru Impreza WRX, a car that went on to be a huge success.The Liberty B4 sports machine has a twin-turbo 2.0-litre. It first came here in August 2001 but was somewhat of a disappointment in Australia because the engine had to be significantly detuned from the one offered on the Japanese market to run on our lower-octane petrol.These Subarus are reasonably easy to work on and most routine jobs can be carried out by an experienced home mechanic. However, safety items and most areas of the high-performance variants are best left to the professionals.Spare parts prices are about average for a car in this class. The Subaru dealer network, though relatively small, works efficiently. Because of Subarus’ popularity in country areas there are dealers in comparatively remote areas.Insurance charges on all but the turbocharged high-performance Liberty RS and Liberty B4 are moderate. The turbo models can be really expensive to cover, especially if you are a young and/or inexperienced driver. Living in a high-risk area further increases charges. Be sure to get a quote before falling in love with a turbo Liberty as premiums can be scary.Look over the interior trim and carpets for signs of damage, though they usually hold up well to all but the most outrageous of treatment. Mud or a real buildup of dust may indicate a lot of time spent of the beaten track.Check out the luggage area for signs of harsh treatment caused by carrying big and/or sharp loads. Have a look underneath a car, particularly the Outback, for signs of damage through it coming into contact with the ground. Some owners really do treat them as though they are ‘real’ 4WDs.The undersides of the bumpers, especially on their corners, are usually the first to suffer. Be sure the engine starts quickly and immediately idles smoothly no matter how cold the conditions. The sixes are naturally smoother than the fours, but the latter should be pretty good as well. Manual gearboxes should be quiet in operation and gearchanges should be smooth and light. Automatics which tend to hunt up and down the gears, or which are slow to go into gear, could be due for an overhaul. Rust is not common in Subarus, but if one has been badly repaired after a crash it may get into the metal. Call in a professional inspector if there’s the slightest doubt.

Subaru has put the finishing touches to its Liberty range with the arrival of the Exiga wagon.The family-friendly Exiga six-seater is much more than Subaru's traditional wagons — and while Subaru Australia is at pains to avoid the poison chalice description of people-mover it makes no apologies for the niche nature of the latest addition."Liberty Exiga is a versatile family wagon that adds a new dimension to our mid-size wagon line-up," Subaru Australia managing director Nick Senior says. "It means we have now got the Exiga for families needing the flexibility of a six-seat cabin, we have five-seat Liberty wagon and for those with a more recreational focus we've got the Outback range."Pricing and sales Sales targets for the new model, which starts at $37,490 and runs up to $41,990 for the Premium trim, are modest at between 50 and 75 a month, particularly given the value equation of the car which comes in at up to $7000 under the price of the equivalent Liberty wagon.Some of the price difference is in equipment level variance but much of it is down to the Exiga not sitting on the new generation Liberty platform but rather on a hybrid of the Liberty and Forester/Impreza underpinnings."With the same safety levels across all these vehicles (five stars) it comes down to a lifestyle choice," Senior says. "With the depth in our medium wagon range we can meet the needs of the vast majority of customers."Fit-out and equipment The six-seat layout is not exactly what Subaru Australia had hoped for when the initial planning of the Exiga was undertaken but with the lack of a centre rear lap-sash seat belt — and no engineering development planned to provide one — the seven-seat version available in the Japanese domestic market is not a starter for Australia.Without the extra seating capacity the Exiga does boast a roomy interior and executive feel to the cabin while Subaru Australia has not stinted on the trim levels. The base car comes with the company's Lineartronic CVT (constantly variable transmission), a DVD entertainment unit with two radio headsets (more are available as accessories) for the rear seat passengers, ABS, EBD, six airbags including curtain bags, stability control, dual zone air-conditioning, rake and reach adjustable steering, individual forward and aft adjustment on the centre-row seats, rear seat recline, 16-inch alloys, and DataDot security.The Premium model adds leather trim, 17-inch alloys, power front seat adjustment, Bluetooth enabled, satellite navigation and reversing camera.Driving The Exiga cabin, at least in the Premium model we have experienced, is a nice place to be. The seating is comfortable in the front, just as comfortable in the second row and adequate in the rear for a couple of adults short-term. Children or those of smaller stature would be very comfortable riding the third row for any length of time.While the luggage space when all the seats are deployed suffers similar shortcomings to most other six- and seven-seat models it is better than many in that it is quite useable for a jaunt to the beach, a shopping trip or some very lightly-packed travels.Fold the seats down using the 50:50 split of the third row and luggage concerns disappear. Utilise the 60:40 split of the second row and you could move house with the Exiga.Aesthetically the Exiga lacks the immediate charm of the Liberty. It is not unattractive but gives the clear impression of being the progeny of a Subaru that enjoyed a dalliance with a Honda Odyssey.Dynamically the Exiga loses little to the Liberty it shares a nameplate with. The overall impression is, not surprisingly given its genesis, a little softer and less focussed than the new Liberty range and the nature of a CVT can rob a car — any car — of the feeling of get-up-and-go with its seamless acceleration. You can always use the shift paddles set behind the steering wheel to pretend the gearbox has ratios.That doesn't make the Exiga sluggish — it isn't, and the proven 2.5-litre engine with its 123kW and 229Nm is a nice match to the car.Steering is light but pleasantly precise and the ride well suited to Sydney's broken road surfaces with plenty of compliance in the damping without any tendency to wallowing.Subaru claims a fuel economy of 8.6L/100km in combined cycle driving.Subaru Liberty Exiga Price: From $37,490Engine: 2.5L/4-cylinder Boxer; 123kW/229NmTransmission: CVT automaticEconomy: 8.6L/100km (combined cycle) 

When the first Subaru Liberty was launched 20 years ago it was the company's most ambitious model. It was a gamble on the mid-size segment that has paid off handsomely for Fuji Heavy Industries, which makes Subaru cars.With the arrival of fifth-generation Liberty, Fuji has also taken reasonably big gamble. The sedan and wagon have grown in size - most significantly in the cabin - gained a more conventional look, improved safety levels and some technical advances that have lifted economy.The wheelbase has grown 80mm in the sedan and 75mm in the Outback to provide more rear-seat leg and luggage space. The larger cabin also has more headroom and is significantly quieter with rear passengers benefiting most from the gains in space. Owners will appreciate the wider opening rear doors.In the sedan there is 476 litres of boot space, while the wagon gets 490 litres with the 60/40 rear seats upright and 1690 litres with the seats folded. The wagon's rear hatch has also been redesigned to be wider and lower to allow easier access to the boot.Depending on the model, weight has crept up between 17kg and 94kg, but new engines are more economical and kinder to the planet. Fuel consumption is improved in every Liberty, including 11.0 per cent in automatic Liberty GT and 9.7 per cent in automatic 2.5i models, in the combined cycle while emissions have also been cut.The Liberty also gets a five star crash rating, raising the safety bar by adding a driver's side knee airbag and engine cradle that is designed not only to isolate engine noise but absorb crash energy in a heavy front-on accident.Manual 2.5-litre Libertys now get an extra cog with six-speeds while automatic buyers, expected to be the bulk of Liberty sedan and wagon sales, gain a continuously variable transmission Subaru calls Lineartronic. The range-topper gets a 3.6-litre horizontally opposed six-cylinder "boxer" engine shared with the Tribeca, as well as a new five-speed automatic.A 2.0-litre turbodiesel arrives in the Outback in November. The 2.5i four-cylinder "boxer" engine and CVT, which is expected to account for about 75 per cent of sales, has a combined fuel economy figure of 8.4 litres for 100km, compared with 9.5 litres for the old car.The 2.5i develops less power but better torque across the rev range with 123kW at 5600 revs and 229Nm at 4000 revs on tap.Importantly Subaru has managed to hold price points, despite exchange rate pressures earlier this year. The entry-level Liberty 2.5i starts from $33,990 while the range-topping Liberty GT Premium is $52,990, $4500 less than the superseded GT spec.B. The Liberty 3.6R Premium is the same price as the superseded Liberty 3.0R Premium.New Liberty models gain electric parking brakes and the Premium versions add automatic headlights, rain sensing wipers, keyless access and push button start.New to the range is the 2.5i Sports, which gets the CVT transmission, sports front bumper and grille, Bilstein suspension, alloy pedals, 18-inch alloy wheels and Xenon headlights with washers. Models with satellite navigation also get a reversing camera and integrated Bluetooth microphone.Visually the Liberty sedan and wagon - as well as the Outback - get a more upright look that critics have suggested loses some of the sportiness of the old model.The oversized eyebrow headlights sweep up the mudguards and the anonymous styling of the rear on the sedan has been compared to the Toyota Camry.Some of the quirks have gone too. Subaru's signature frameless windows have been replaced by frames that Subaru says help cabin quietness and the rigidity of the doors. The Liberty and Outback now join the Impreza and Forester in reverting to conventional window frames.Inside the cabin is light and airy with quality switchgear. Subaru's quirky SI-Drive system with intelligent, sports and sports-plus modes, appears on the GT and 3.6R.In growing up the Liberty has become more mainstream but what has not changed is Subaru's reputation for reliabilty and quality.For many prospective buyers, as well as existing owners, the brand's solid reputation will be enough to keep them coming back.Driving The new Liberty is a giant leap forward in a lot of areas, including the cabin space, transmission and suspension.After the mild makeovers on its main rivals, the Honda Accord Euro and Mazda6, the major changes come as a very pleasant surprise and one which is even more surprising after the Japanese cutbacks through the global economic downturn.So the Liberty - and the high-rider Outback - is obviously a Very Big Deal for Subaru, particularly for the US. In the past it has struggled to make a breakthrough there, even with Paul Hogan trumpeting the Outback, which is why it went for the bigger body and the . . . polarising . . . design work.Some people like the way the new Liberty look cuts through traffic, but others say it is too brutal and not remotely subtle. I say it's up to you. But you cannot argue with the extra space inside, the cushy front buckets, the excellent size and shape of the rear bench, and the extra space in the tail end of the Liberty wagon.It feels a full size bigger than the previous Liberty and is much more likely to get on the shopping list against a Commodore Sportwagon.The interior design also reflects new thinking at Subaru, something I like, and steps it away from the Euro and 6.Equipment levels are good, including a trip computer and cruise control on the basic car, but there is no Bluetooth link for the mobile and the operation of the electronic parking brake is an annoying fiddle.Dynamically, I think Subaru has taken a big leap forward with the new Liberty. It shares a lot of its components with the smaller Impreza, but the suspension is extremely smooth and compliant, there is great steering feel, and the car has more than enough grip and poise for family work.The suspension is clearly ahead of 6 and Euro, and a rival to the better Europeans, with its ability to soak nasty undulations and acne such as expansion joints and stutter bumps. And it is quiet, too. Speed bumps kick the back end around a bit, but that is my only complaint.The 2.5 boxer four is not overly perky, but the new six-speed transmission flatters it and must be great with the turbocharged GT engine. It's a sorta-CVT design but has six `gears' and paddle shifters if you want to make your own decisions.The car is a bit dozy from a standing start unless you floor the throttle, but once you get rolling it moves nicely and the manual shift allows surprisingly fun driving on twisty roads.I have no reason to question the safety in the new Liberty, or the long-term quality, and Subaru seems to have responded to criticism of the uninspiring latest Impreza by making this car more luxurious and significantly better than the outgoing model. It's a huge change and one that deserves recognition and kudos.The mid-size class is a real mix in Australia, with the latest Ford Mondeo making a strong claim and Toyota bouncing back with an update on the Camry. And perhaps it's a mistake to try the latest Subaru as a wagon first, but it has usually been the best from the brand.For me, the Liberty is now the benchmark in its class. Forget the way it looks, take a drive, and you will be won.Rating: 82/100

Rival car companies covet the brand loyalty that Subaru has among its followers. When it comes to trade-in time, more than 70 per cent of owners stick with the Japanese brand. With this carpark of committed Subaru owners in mind, that the company has taken on-board customer feedback about how to make the latest-generation Liberty and Outback better.Bigger, safer and more economical Both all-wheel drive models have grown slightly in all dimensions with the 80mm longer wheelbase in the sedan and 75mm longer in the Outback contributing to more rear seat leg and headroom and luggage space. Despite being between 17kg and 94kg heavier than the old model, new engines are more economical than those they replace and kinder to the planet.Safety has also improved, with a new engine ‘cradle’ to not only help the car crumple better in an impact, but reduce noise and vibration.New technology, like a continuously variable transmission on 2.5i models and new six-speed manual transmission feature. Subaru has also dumped the Liberty GT wagon but added a new model, the 2.5i Sport. Subaru Australia managing director, Nick Senior, says the company also looked for greater styling differentiation between the Liberty and Outback too. "They look more distinct now," he says.Drivetrains Two new engines are available, a 2.5i four-cylinder and 3.6-litre six-cylinder, which replaces the 3.0-litre. A 2.0-litre turbo diesel arrives in the Outback in November. The 2.5i four-cylinder ‘boxer’ engine and CVT, which is expected to account for about 75 per cent of sales, has a combined fuel economy figure of 8.4 litres per 100km, compared to 9.5 for the old car. The 2.5i develops less power but more torque across the rev range than the old engine with 123kW at 5600 revs and 229Nm at 4000 revs on tap.The new 3.6-litre is the largest engine ever fitted to the Liberty range. The entry 2.5i and 2.5i Sports models get what Subaru calls its Lineartronic CVT. Also new on entry-level the 2.5i is a six-speed manual, shared with the turbocharged Liberty GT.All automatics, including Lineartronic CVT, have a sequential mode to suit driving style and road conditions as well as steering wheel mounted paddle shifters. The turbo GT and 3.6R get an improved five-speed automatic. Prices for some models have decrease by up to 7.8 per cent while others cost the same as the superseded variants.Variants and pricing Entry-level Liberty 2.5i starts from $33,990, with the CVT auto adding $2500 to the price. The range-topping Liberty GT Premium is $52,990, $4500 less than the superseded GT spec.B, while the new Liberty 3.6R Premium is the same price as the superseded Liberty 3.0R Premium.Appearance and equipment Visually, the car has a more upright look with a flowing headlight design that sweeps high up the mudguards. Apart from the gains in cabin room, access to the rear seats is easier via larger opening doors. Standard equipment includes seven airbags - including driver's knee airbag - electronic stability control, dual zone air conditioning, hill start assist, trip computer, cruise control, six-stacker in-dash CD stereo and 17-inch alloys on the 2.5i.The 2.5i Premium adds sunroof, leather, CVT automatic, electric driver's seat and rear air vents. The 2.5i Sports opens the standard package with the Lineartronic CVT , 18-inch alloys, Bilstein suspension, sports grille and bumper, alloy pedals and Xenon headlights with washers. Premium models add automatic headlights and wipers, McIntosh stereo systems, reversing camera, SI-Drive, satellite navigation, keyless access and push-button start.The McPherson strut-type front suspension is now mounted to the cradle to improve steering response, handling and overall rigidity. The rear suspension is a compact double-wishbone rear suspension, shared with the Forester. The Liberty has followed the new-generation Forester with framed windows, which add to structural strength of the doors. Using an electric parking brake instead of a traditional lever has freed up more space between the front seats.DrivingThe gods did not shine kindly on the Liberty drive. The heavens opened up with lashing rain and blustery winds, leading to muddy and slippery country roads. But inside the Liberty sedan, all was serene. Subaru's relish being let lose in such conditions and the Liberty proved it has ability and confidence in spades. All-wheel drive is almost second nature and when you throw electronic stability control and traction control into the mix the Liberty is the perfect wet weather partner.We spent most of the time behind the wheel of the 2.5i CVT automatic, which is expected to account for the bulk of sales. What is immediately noticeable is how much room the car has, both in the front and rear seats. The front seats have also been redesigned and are more comfortable and supportive. Only the low-rent look of the seat fabric in the 2.5i let the interior down.There are some neat touches, like the levers to fold down the rear seats in the wagon, reversing camera on satellite navigation equipped models and the paddle shifters on the steering wheel. Yes, other brands have them but the Liberty is more than a match for equipment up against key rivals like the Mazda6, Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. The 2.5-litre four is quiet — almost too quiet for those Subaru fans who love the throb of the boxer layout — and the steering has plenty of feedback and feel.Developing 123kW, the new engine has lost 4kW but torque is up 2Nm to 229Nm and it is delivered lower in the rev range. This translates into more linear acceleration. There is little to fault about the dynamics or engineering. The Liberty is a very secure car to punt both on bitumen and gravel roads. The ride is composed and the multi-link double wishbone rear suspension provides the car with a surefooted stance over corrugated roads.The CVT, which has some links with Audi, is new and like these seamless transmissions, is smooth and can be used as a sequential six-speed - with paddle shifters - if you want. Fortunately Subaru has also managed to inject some conventional auto feel into the CVT via some trick software and there is no hint of the "slipping clutch" feeling of some CVTs.Cabin quality is as good as the best out of Japan despite some hard plastics around the cabin. The faux woodwork on the upper models is clearly meant for more conservative North American tastes. Despite the styling and interior presentation catering more to its biggest export market, North America, the grown up Liberty has lost little of its inherent Subaru-ness. And that should please Liberty owners who would not drive anything else.Subaru Liberty sedan and wagon Price: from $33,990 (2.5i manual) to $51,990 (3.6R Premium)Power: 123kW at 5600 revs (2.5i), 195kW at 5600 revs (2.5 GT), 191kW at 5600 revs (3.6R)Torque: 229Nm at 4000 revs (2.5i), 350Nm at 2400 revs (2.5 GT), 350Nm at 4400 revs (3.6R)Transmission: Six speed manual, five speed automatic and CVT automatic Economy: 2.5i manual is 8.9 litres/100km (combined), 2.5i CVT 8.4 litres/100km (combined), 2.5i GT manual 9.8 litres/100km (combined), 2.5i GT auto 9.7 litres/100km (combined), 3.6 R auto 10.3 litres/100km (combined).Emissions CO2: 209 g/km (2.5i), 198 g/km (2.5i auto), 230 g/km, (GT man), 228 g/km (GT auto), 242 g/km (3.6R)

Yes, there is a chunky new body, but otherwise the Japanese niche maker has ticked all the expected boxes: a revised four-cylinder boxer turbo, a re-hashed symmetrical all-wheel drive system, and re-designed double-wishbone rear suspension as part of a mechanical package which allows a roomier cabin inside a bigger body.SafetyIt will almost certainly get the maximum five-star safety rating from ANCAP, although there was no need to test its crash performance during a first drive of the B4 2.5 Liberty GT in Japan last week.BodyAt my exclusive drive in the mountains of Subaru's Tochigi proving ground my first impression was the car's 'street presence.' The new Liberty looks bigger and taller all-round with substantial modifications in the sheetmetal.It is over 100mm longer, 50mm wider, 80mm higher and the wheelbase has stretched by 80mm as well, although kerb weight has only risen by 20kg. All that translates into oodles more head and legroom.EngineThe Liberty B4 has a fully-rebuilt 2.5-litre turbocharged boxer engine now making 210kW, up from 191, with torque in the five-speed auto up to 350Nm.Of special note is the redesigned turbo which now sits low down at the front of the engine bay just behind the number plate and a lot closer to the exhaust manifold, a modification that beefs up response while reducing turbo lag.Equipment The optional McIntosh sound system, arguably the best in-car sound system in the world, now plays DVDs and has a 40 gigabyte hard drive capable of storing 2000 songs and a 5.1-channel surround system. Other new stuff includes a 'Lineartronic' constantly-variable transmission, knee airbags, rain-sensing wipers and automatic headlamps, push-button starting and a reversing camera with factory satnav.DrivingThe new turbo engine strutted its stuff and demanded me to drive harder on Subaru's tight winding course, and the car felt more planted than any earlier Liberty.Power delivery is linear and strong with maximum torque coming on tap as low as 2000 revs and staying on the boil to 5500rpm. With almost no noticeable turbo lag, the Legacy's sequential five-speed auto gearbox devours gear shifts with the flick of its polished aluminium paddle-shifters and almost no shift shock. A re-tuned blipping control on the downshifts also delivers seamless entry into corners allowing me to focus more on smoother braking and turn-in. A six-speed manual will also be available.The newly fitted double wishbones do wonders for the suspension, and Subaru rates them as a priority change. The latest electronically-assisted power steering delivers a clear message and the chunky nose tucks in nicely while the rear end stays low and flat, generating more grip than ever before. These new wishbones counteract unwanted camber fluctuations while producing prodigious levels of grip. That equals quicker, more stable cornering.Surprisingly, ride quality has also improved, especially for rear-seat passengers.For more detailed information, see your newspaper’s Carsguide section or check back here later this week.

This particularly blokey Subaru Liberty GT was such a car. The thrill of the traffic light take-off makes life worthwhile with Liberty's turbocharged, two-litre engine and silky gearshift.But the zero to 50km/h sprint takes less time than you can say "hmmm" and it's back to steady coherence of road rules.Just like one of my favourite U2 songs – Running to Stand Still.It makes me wonder why Subaru, which makes its sought-after peppy cousin WRX, bothers with making a more understated version for grown-ups.Subaru Australia general manager Nick Senior has called it "Subaru's interpretation of a European-style sports sedan".Surely this Japanese car maker does not have to kowtow to Euro-styling. It already has a loyal fan club of drivers who understand the delights of a boxer engine and its off-road capabilities.But I'm inclined to think the Liberty GT will be the choice for women, often decision-makers on the type of car a family drives, who must compromise with their men who want the go-fast WRX.Liberty falls somewhere between the sporting man's plaything and the safety-conscious buyer's choice.But while WRX owners hold a badge of honour with a car renowned among rally enthusiasts, Liberty GT owners lack the same grunty pedigree.In fact, its shape and performance seem to blur with other new four-cylinder sedans on the road. I guess that's the problem with compromise.It has all the things that make you go "VROOM" – engine hole thingy in the bonnet, high-performance tyres, fancy neon-like dash lights, black leather interior.Under the bonnet, Subaru says the turbocharged engine can take you from zero to 100km/h in 5.7 seconds. Impressive.Plenty of doof-doof too, with a sound system able to blast out from 13 speakers, squawkers, tweeters, woofers and a "super woofer" on the back shelf.But the "it" factor is elusive.Surely Liberty GT is a status symbol for the more family-oriented petrolhead – too young to drive a station wagon; too old not to be laughed at in the sporty WRX.Costing $52,990, it would perhaps make more sense to pay an extra $2000 for the Liberty GT wagon which has more off-road, camper-cred.A word of warning – an Australian summer and the skin-baking, sauna-like qualities of a black leather interior are a bad combination ... no matter how good the airconditioning is.