New Subaru Outback now at SA dealerships

THE new fifth generation Outback is now available through Subaru’s dealer network and there are three to choose from the Outback model line-up.
Each one offers a different Boxer® powerplant, but the same drivetrain, the latest version of Subaru’s Symmetrical All Wheel Drive™ system mated to the Lineartronic™ CVT. Another common thread is the level of cabin sophistication, ambience, and roominess. Sleeker styling, a more assertive grille and bigger wheels convey the message on the outside.
A key objective with the latest Outback was to move further upmarket in terms of material quality but retain the Outback’s rugged nature and genuine on-road and off-road ability.
A more rigid structure has benefits for refinement (as well as safety), with noise levels lowered and unwanted vibrations banished. Improved powertrains also contribute to this.
Steering now reacts faster thanks to revised gearing, and crisper handling is a welcome by-product of a stiffer torsional body, which also has new shock absorbers, and revised suspension settings.
The Outback has achieved a five-star rating for both Euro NCAP and ANCAP tests, and its body has been carefully redesigned to place high tensile steel at critical points, further enhancing the crash structures. This has resulted in minimal increases in weight.
The Lineartronic Constantly Variable Transmission has been further refined for smoother shifting and a more linear feel. Using the paddle shifters, drivers have the option of using six steps, the turbodiesel model has an additional one, to take its torque characteristics into account.
Additional cabin space is gained by moving the base of the windscreen forward by 50mm while the body is 20mm wider than before. There’s more hip and shoulder room, and an increase in the distance between front and rear seats. And getting to the luggage compartment couldn’t be easier thanks to a powered tailgate.
Standard features on the new Outback are:
• Sunroof
• Reverse camera
• Dual-zone climate control
• Steering wheel controls.
• Voice control allows the driver to control audio, climate control and telephone systems through a single steering wheel control button.
Features like X-mode, which fine-tunes the various driving systems for maximum performance in low-traction situations, which is does effortlessly thanks to 213mm of ground clearance, and approach or departure angles that provide maximum clearance.
Active Torque Vectoring has been added to an already impressive suite that makes up VDC (Vehicle dynamics control), making an accident in an Outback an extremely unlikely occurrence.
Pricing starts at R479 000 for the 2,5 litre version, which is powered by an uprated version of the 2.5-litre Boxer engine, now producing 129kW and 235Nm thanks to a number of internal and external changes. Fuel consumption has benefited hugely, with overall consumption plummeting to 7.7 litres per 100km.
The 2.0-litre turbodiesel is the only compression-ignition Boxer engine in the world and is priced at R529 000. While peak power and torque remain at 110kW and 350Nm respectively, the torque peak starts lower down and continues further up the rev range. Consumption is given at 6.3 litres per 100km.
The flagship of the range, the Outback 3.6R-S, is powered by the 3.6-litre H6 engine under its aluminium bonnet. Power output is 191kW, with torque of 350Nm. Despite these numbers, it requires just 9.9 litres of fuel per 100km.