Subaru Vortex Reviews

Liberty GT/GT Spec BMotoring journalists spend a good portion of their time on launches sifting through the marketing hype to find the hard facts. When Subaru claimed their SI-Drive gave the Liberty owner 'three engines in one', an eyebrow was raised in skepticism rather than surprise.But all that was needed to prove Subaru’s point with SI-Drive was a steep hill.Of the three SI-Drive modes, it is the 'Intelligent' (economy) mode that makes the biggest impact. Subaru claim the Intelligent setting reduces engine output to that of a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated car, regardless of the actual engine under the bonnet.The first steep hill in a turbo GT model was met with the appropriate minimal enthusiasm from the engine, slowly pulling up the incline before reluctantly kicking up a gear - and sipping a little more fuel.A similar incline in the default setting of Sport (the setting on which the Liberty’s fuel figures are based) brings a completely different response from the engine; the hill disappears behind familiar dollops of mid-range turbo torque.The frugal Intelligent setting is excellent on downhill and long highway stints, still providing enough power to accelerate around slower traffic, but drinks slightly more than Sport mode on the hills and feels frustratingly limited when the going gets tough.The best result from the SI-Drive was to leave it in Sport until a long flat highway stretch, then remembering to return to Sport through the bends.On the other end of the scale, the Sports Sharp mode picks up the throttle and gear changes in the automatic models with noticeable speed.The shifts are further hastened by a new blip function that briefly raises the rpm on the upshift, resulting in a smoother gear change and minimal shift shock.Shifting itself in the autos is a more involving prospect thanks to the excellent wheel-mounted paddles, easily allowing the driver to select gears even when in full Auto mode when the twists tighten.The manuals are still the pick for sports enthusiasts, particularly the GT spec B with its excellent new suspension, sublime symmetrical all-wheel-drive and newfound flat torque churning through the STi gearbox.SI-Drive is also available on the manuals, leveling its fuel consumption to a claimed 10.9L/100km; the same consumption as the auto, and only fractionally higher than most of the tiny turbocharged hot hatches on today’s market despite four doors, a boot and all that extra booty...Outback 3.0RAs a crossover car, the Outback has been a raging success for Subaru.The Outback has caught up to the Liberty a little in the looks department, with the revised corporate grille producing a more integrated and modern look that still stands apart from the Liberty wagon, but shared its sloped-roofed, understated style.Now riding on 17-inch alloys, the turn in is sharp and the wheels and suspension communicative, though it does not share the Liberty’s neutrality under pressure.On the twisted roads around Healesville in Victoria, a place well known to Subaru from its Rally of Melbourne days, the top-shelf Outback kept pace with the Liberty nat-atmo cars, but suffered more bodyroll on the tight bends.Not surprising, considering its higher clearance for off-road and towing ability (and it still drinks the same as Liberty at a respectable 11.1L/100km).Buyers would be hard-pressed to find a more capable all-wheel-drive with this much standard kit and five-star safety for the asking price.Samantha Stevens is a reviewer on the CARSguide test team. Her work appears here and in the Sunday Telegraph CARSguide. A version of this review, as well as other news, reviews and analysis appears in the Sunday Telegraph.

The Forester was launched here in 1997. It was based on the Impreza platform. Although, it didn't look much like its rather mundane family-car cousin. Its four-door wagon body gave it a completely new look, one that promised the convenience of a station wagon for a family combined with the ability to escape the shackles of the city.It had the high-driving position with the good road vision, but it didn't have the bulkiness. It was relatively light and had good road manners which made it an easy driving all-rounder perfect for the family.The Forester was primarily powered by Subaru's familiar single overhead camshaft flat-four engine, in this case a 2.0-litre unit developing 92kW at 5600 revs and 184Nm at 3600 revs. Not exactly sports car stuff, but it pulls smoothly and willingly from low down in the rev range with heaps of mid-range grunt.When raced it would accelerate to 100km/h in a little over 11 seconds and account for the standing 400m dash in a respectable 17 seconds. At the same time it would return about 11.0L/100km on average.For more zip, Subaru released the GT in 1998 and that came with a turbocharged double overhead camshaft 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine boasting 125kW at 5600 revs and 240Nm at 3200 revs. Buyers could choose between a five-speed manual gearbox and a four-speed auto trans. The Forester's system is a constant four-wheel-drive, unlike other soft-roaders which have a part-time system with drive primarily going through either the front or rear wheels.At the heart of the system is a centre transfer case with viscous limited-slip differential. When it detects a difference in the rotation speed of the front and rear axles, it automatically adjusts the torque split for optimum drive.Subaru offered three main variants of the Forester: the GX Wagon, RX Limited Wagon and GT Wagon.The GX Wagon had steel wheels, colour-coded bumpers, roof rails, power steering, cruise, power windows and mirrors and central locking. The RX Limited Wagon had all of that plus dual front airbags, air-conditioning and self-levelling suspension.At the top of the Forester range sat the GT Wagon which had alloy wheels, velour trim, leather steering wheel and hand brake knob, metallic paint and central locking.There isn't much that goes wrong with the Forester in general. While most Foresters stick to the black top around town, it is worth checking for signs of heavy offroad use. A lack of ground clearance is the thing that stops a Forester, so take a look at the underbody for damage that might have been caused by being grounded on a rough bush track. If you suspect it has been used off-road for more than the occasional trip down an unsealed road, walk away. There are plenty more out there to choose from.It's important to change the cam-timing belt every 100,000km. So make sure that's been done. While you're at it, check the service record to make sure the servicing has been done as Subaru recommends.The Forester gets good marks for primary safety with its all-wheel-drive system. Anti-lock brakes weren't available on the GX, but were standard on the RX and GT, enhancing their primary safety.Likewise, airbags were not available on the GX, but the RX and GT both had dual front airbags making them the preferred choice for secondary crash protection.

The Japanese brand's controversial aircraft-inspired grilles, as featured on the Impreza and Tribeca, will disappear from the radar. Subaru's parent company, Fuji Heavy Industries, chose to use the pr

The Liberty, released in 1989, was front-wheel drive – a transition model for the company as it made its way into an all-wheel drive future. The Liberty was a medium-sized sedan or wagon suitable for most families, even though it wasn't as big as the cars coming from the local manufacturers.It was cleanly styled with neat, simple lines forming a wedge shape with plenty of glass to give the interior an open, airy feel, and good visibility. Inside, there was generous leg, head and shoulder room, even for taller occupants. The shape of the rear seat made the Liberty essentially a four-seater, but there was room for five if really needed.Vision was clear with plenty of glass and well-designed pillars that didn't interfere with the view from the driver's seat.All the controls and switches were laid out sensibly and drivers were generally able to find a good driving position with plenty of seat adjustment, allowing everyone to establish a comfortable relationship between wheel, pedals and seat.The Liberty's performance was adequate without being particularly sporting. A 2.2-litre fuel-injected four-valve, horizontally opposed, four-cylinder engine provided sufficient performance with particularly good mid-range torque, giving it the sort of flexibility that makes for a comfortable driving experience. When asked for its best, the Liberty's engine would produce 100kW at 6000revs and 189Nm at 4800revs.A pleasant and efficient five-speed manual gearbox transferred the engine's output to the front wheels. In normal use, the Liberty returned quite commendable fuel economy with 10.5-litre/100km on average. The Liberty's ride was comfortable and compliant with plenty of control to swallow bumps without disturbing the inner peace, while the handling was predictable and precise with good road-holding when pressed through corners.The LX provided the entry point to the Liberty range and it came with a decent amount of equipment with tilt-adjustable steering column, illuminated vanity mirrors, cup-holders, remote boot release, power mirrors, AM/FM radio cassette sound, and driver's seat height adjustment.The Liberty enjoyed an enviable reputation for build quality and reliability and came with a three-year 70,000km warranty, which was unusually long for the time. But remember, the Liberty is now up to 15 years old and that means it must be approached with caution and the understanding that you're buying an old car that is nearing the end of its useful life.Use of galvanised steel in the body meant it was resistant to rust. But listen carefully for engine rattles and knocks during the test drive and have someone follow you to observe if there's smoke from the tailpipe. This may suggest an engine rebuild is needed.Check the condition of the oil. If it's dark and dirty, it hasn't been changed in a while, which will be indicative of the level of servicing that has been done.No airbags here, so it's down to good old sheetmetal and belts. In surveys of road crashes, the Liberty is rated above the average for occupant protection.Check seatbelts for any sign of wear.It's not a bad idea to replace the belts as a precaution, particularly if you're putting your kids in the car.

It is light, nimble, chews meagre amounts of fossil fuel and looks sporty, even if the four-cylinder engine is not quite up to the challenge.At $33,990, the car represents top value in these days of escalating petrol prices.For your dollar, you get a lot of quality standard fittings.There are five-spoke alloys with a full-size spare in the boot; climate control; leather steering wheel, gear shift and handbrake; plenty of cup holders; cruise control; dual exhausts; curtain and dual front side airbags; front fog lamps and DataDot technology which helps detect stolen vehicles.Integrated blinkers in the mirrors and a general tidy up all round make this a handsome little vehicle.Inside, there is smart trim, even in the cloth seats which are firm and supportive. The front seats are nearly as good as Recaros.Rear passengers get plenty of fore-aft room on the seat, with a trade-off of limited legroom, while headroom and shoulder room is fine for three adults.The quality of the interior continues all the way through to the cargo area which is neat, well-insulated, flat-bottomed and deceptively large for a medium-size vehicle.The cockpit is ergonomical, even though the steering wheel is only adjustable for height. You can find a comfortable driving position because the seat is adjustable in every direction, including height.Steering is light and neutral and handling is similarly light, but always predictable thanks to Subaru's symmetrical all-wheel-drive system.Off the mark, there is a little lag in the automatic transmission, but once it gets into the revs, there is ample go with good feel from the electronic throttle control.Up hills and with a bit of load, it struggles.The four-speed auto box doesn't help here, being a little sluggish and vague.Yet if you drive more conservatively, it is quiet and smooth, delivering fuel economy commensurate with the manufacturer's estimate of 9.1l/100km on the combined cycle.I achieved a lot better than this on a weekend trip to the Sunshine Coast.Being an entry model, it doesn't get the delightful McIntosh sound system found in some of the more expensive Liberty models.This one had a bass speaker that became particularly excited and buzzed annoyingly. I suppose you keep the duff-duff music for the WRX anyway.The Liberty 2.0R is more of a Michael Buble sort of car.

But cars and the motor industry are still his driving passion.  Gover has raced and rallied in Australia and overseas, rides motorcycles for fun, and gets just as much of a challenge from assessing a $13,990 Hyundai as a $1.4 million Rolls-Royce.He knows people make a big commitment when they go car shopping, and he believes they should be able to rely on the best-informed advice from the motoring media.But he also thinks motoring should be fun -- something he remembers every time he turns the key on his rusty old 1986 Subaru Brumby ute.Follow Paul Gover on Twitter!

Where once the big front-engined, rear-drive sedans and wagons ruled the roost, other styles have made inroads with a view to heading off-road.Industry pundits muse over the rise of light and small cars – blamed on petrol prices and the age of the present crop of large cars – but the latter stages of 2006 will see a refreshing change.The present crop of medium and large family cars is considerable, with words such as boring, bland and banal not often applicable to the bulk of these segments any more.While it might not be the segment leader, Mitsubishi's make-or-break 380 sedan has been the focus of intense attention, as the future of the company's Tonsley Park manufacturing facility hangs in the balance. With some awards to back it, the 380 is undergoing a major revamp and is slowly gathering momentum, thanks to decent looks, a strong on-road package and local patriotism among the positives going its way.Holden's VZ Commodore has been updated with a new six-litre V8 in the sports and luxury models, fi ghting on in the face of renewed competition from its other locally built opposition.The potential for a segment resurgence at the end of the year will rest largely with the VE, an all-new model that replaces the VZ.Ford’s Falcon received a minor facelift and plenty of underbody work with the introduction of the BF, but the main claim to fame for the new big sedan from Broadmeadows was the addition of a six-speed automatic.The new transmission pips Holden's latest auto by one ratio, or two if you include V8 availability, and the Ford six-speeder has a background that includes applications in big names such as BMW, Jaguar and Land Rover.The BF Falcon also introduced some changes to safety equipment – traction and stability control on much of its range – as well as improvements in body sealing and sound insulation.The brand everyone wants to beat is Toyota, but the Japanese-owned Melbourne-based car maker is not relieving any pressure on the market. In fact, the foot on the throat of its opposition, if anything, will have more force behind it. The manufacturer has long been held as a yardstick for build quality, reliability and longevity, but was equally well known for building "white goods on wheels".Toyota Australia boss John Conomos has promised no more appliances on wheels and the new Camry speaks volumes for the modern design credo. Unveiled earlier this year at the Detroit Motor Show, the new Camry has lost its V6 power plant but gained styling to match the quality.Bold predictions of Avalon sales to rival Holden and Ford in the then-booming large-car segment soon came back to haunt Toyota, which has learnt much (by its own admission) from the Avalon experience and has put the knowledge to use with Aurion. The new Camry-based big car from Toyota has been styled to please the eye, and has also had much design and engineering input from Australia.The medium segment is growing and it's in no small part due to the rise of Honda's Accord Euro, the Mazda6 and Subaru's continued success with the Liberty. Mazda revived the medium segment with a sparkling fi ve-door four-cylinder range that offered decent dynamics, attractive styling and a bit of vigour beneath the bonnet.Honda has followed suit and the Accord Euro – albeit only in a sedan model – also has an enthusiastic demeanour on the road, plenty of features and a sharp price tag.Subaru has been the quiet achiever but the Liberty's fans are plentiful – the new look has introduced more room, more features and a wide choice of four and six-cylinder power plants.Subaru also offers a wagon – another point of difference to the other top-selling mediums. Only the Accord (a step up in size from the Euro) offers a V6 and Mazda offers a wagon. Never before have Australians been so spoilt for choice.

Just 300 of the numbered, limited edition GTs have been put together and at the time of going to press all but 40 of them have been sold.Not bad for a car designed to fill a void between now and when the new model arrives later this year.By way of explanation Subaru was forced to withdraw the Liberty GT from sale at the end of the year when new engine emission regulations came into force.The old 2.0-litre turbocharged donk no longer complies and will be replaced by the 2.5-litre unit from the Impreza.But the company is able to offer the STI tuned limited edition 2.0-litre models under the low volume import rule.Liberty GT tuned by STI is a slick, racy looking unit that offers even higher levels of performance. 2.0-litre turbocharged engine delivers 200kW of power and 343Nm of torque (manual) and 190kW and 343Nm of torque (auto), up from 190kW/330Nm and 180kW/ 310Nm respectively. Result is improved performance, with more linear performance and throttle response, delivering enhanced acceleration at lower engine speed. You get more show with the go, notably STI badging, deeper front spoiler and quad-tip exhaust system. Two STI twin tip sports mufflers complete the mechanicals, enhancing exhaust flow, providing better turbo response and a sportier note. STI springs drop the car 15mm, sports tuned Bilstein front and rear struts have been added and a titanium look front strut brace increases rigidity, boosting handling and steering re- sponse. An STI rear lateral link set reduces suspension friction, improving ride, roadhold- ing and steering precision. Customised body styling includes a front lip and rear boot spoiler enhancing aerodynamics by increasing down force and improving the front lift coefficient (CLf) by about 80 per cent. Unique 18in wheels feature a wider, 7.5in, rim and 215/45R18 Pirelli P Zero Rosso tyres maximise grip. Inside, an all-black interior features leather seats with STI embroidered suede inserts, complete with trademark red Stitching. There's also titanium finish trim on the dash, centre console, door trim and an aluminium pedal set. STI-red luminescent dash cluster lights complete the interior upgrades. The manual variant features a quick shift gear lever. The car is offered in black, silver and dark metallic grey, with two wheel colours. Black cars feature charcoal wheels while Premium Silver and Urban Grey vehicles have brushed silver wheels. Standard features include front, side and curtain airbags, Momo steering wheel, power operated driver's seat and premium, six-stack 13-speaker McIntosh sound system. Although the car takes premium unleaded fuel economy in our test car was excellent at just 9.8L/100km. Pricing for the Liberty GT Tuned by STI starts at $59,490 for the five-speed manual sedan.VERDICT: What's not to like. The STI-tuned GT will be a very collectable model if you're lucky enough to get your hands on one. Only 300 of the $59,490 special edition models have been built.

The Japanese rally kings will not only feature an Impreza WRC2006 as driven by Gold Coaster Chris Atkinson for Subaru World Rally Team in the 2006 World Rally Championship, but also a Liberty Blitzen.This special edition car will be available in June and is based on the Japanese domestic market Blitzen that hasn't previously been available in Australia.Using the underpinnings of the Liberty 3.0R Spec.B, it includes an aerodynamic body kit and interior package, plus 18-inch alloy wheels unique to the model. Bright red show car with striking appearance.Subaru will also display its largest product yet, the B9 Tribeca . It is tentatively slated for local launch in the last quarter of this year and will be available with fiev or seven-seat cabin.There will also be examples of the 2006 range including 2.5 litre Impreza WRX STI and WRX; the recently introduced entry-level Liberty 2.0R and Forester.

I love the thrill of the acceleration, the performance of the brakes and the slot-car handling.However, the now-legendary Subaru WRX STi (Subaru Technica International) is simply beyond me for daily driving.I attended the launch last year of the new WRX at the Darlington Park circuit on the Gold Coast hinterland.Sadly, the track is now closed for business and sadly so am I.The track-tuned WRX rides so harshly my kidneys need a breather after about half an hour on our poorly maintained roads over which my belly has wobbled and jiggled enough not only to cause me gross embarrassment but also to make me slightly ill.However, I now feel like everyone is looking at me and pointing, saying "who does that old fool think he is driving around in that hoon car?".The look-at-me whale tail and bonnet scoop simply don't fit my image any more. Yes, it's a sad day when you have to admit one of the best-handling, fastest-accelerating, street-cred cars under $60,000 no longer presses your buttons.However, before we ageing baby boomers pull off our racing gloves to wipe the tears from our eyes, there now is a car for you and me out of the same stable.Introducing the Subaru Liberty GT tuned by Subaru Techinca International.Only 300 of these special edition models have been released and they should go fast (pun intended) since there are so many of us fossil-fuel-burning jelly-belly baby boomers around.And what a gorgeous hunk of machine it is. Even before you get in, there are immediate hints that this is more than just a stock-standard Liberty GT.Around the car there are "STi" badges, an aerodynamic kit, lowered stance and two sets of twin tailpipes, each with "STi" stamped on them.The whale tail is replaced by a more modest foil, while the bonnet scoop is greatly reduced.And it sits on the most gorgeous mags I have ever seen — 18-inch STi alloys shod with Pirelli P Zero Rosso fat rubbers.The whole effect is subtle and tasteful, rather like a Mercedes-Benz AMG or BMW M. Look around at the fine tolerances in the panel fit and the deep lustrous paint and you'll also be reminded of German craftsmanship.Open the door and be greeted by door sills stamped with STi, while there are more badges inside on the black leather seats with red stitching, deep-pile carpet, steering wheel and gear shift.Thankfully, there is no keypad to code your secret pin number in before igniting the fossil fuels like there is in the WRX STi.Fire it up and you are greeted by a red glow from the special instruments and assaulted with a fiery rasp from the rear end.Depending on which model you get, you can slip it into first on the manual or auto with Sportshift steering wheel-mounted switches.Then give it the berries, and from 3500rpm the performance is almost equal to the WRX. Subaru claims the STi engine control unit boosts power from 180kW to 190kW in the auto and 200kW in the manual, just shy of the WRX STi's 206kW. You'd need a stopwatch to notice the difference.However, what you will notice is the difference in the ride. Firmer than the normal GT, but with compliant lowered STi-tuned spring rates and damping to ensure you soak up the worst of our over-taxed tarmac.The usual standards of luxury and quality we've come to expect of Liberty GT continue, including the second-best factory fitted sound system on four wheels.The 13-speaker McIntosh system is no duff-duff boom box, but is crystal clear and only beaten in car audio by the Mark Levinson system in Lexus vehicles.A few extras over the "standard" GT include climate control air, trip computer, eight-way powered driver's seat and Sportshift.Only complaint is no audio controls on the steering wheel.