TO MARK its fiftieth 12 months on the Australian market, Subaru will have a good time the milestone with a spread of particular editions and a number of other new variants subsequent 12 months, together with three new-generation fashions.
Excessive on the wishlist are rugged variations of every Subaru SUV within the vein of North American ‘Wilderness’ variants and a extra inspiring drivetrain for the Forester.
Chatting with Australian automotive media at Subaru Australia’s end-of-year wrap-up, managing director Blair Learn confirmed that the model will launch three new-generation fashions in 2023 (Crosstrek, Impreza, and Solterra EV) whereas increasing its present line-up to incorporate probably new variants such because the off-road-focused Outback and Forester Wilderness.
“We’ve some fairly thrilling plans round some particular editions (to mark the fiftieth anniversary of Subaru Australia) which we expect might be actually, actually interesting to the Australian public, (in addition to) some completely different variations on present merchandise,” stated Mr Learn.
Having efficiently lobbied for a right-hand drive model of the turbocharged Outback to make its manner down below, Subaru Australia is now engaged on with the ability to entry North American market ‘Wilderness’ upgrades for the Outback and Forester from its Japanese manufacturing supply, following loads of curiosity from Australian prospects.
Primarily based on a collection of {hardware} and visible enhancements that cowl every little thing from elevated trip peak and safety to revised gearing and transmissions, Mr Learn confirmed the probability of seeing these Wilderness fashions in Australia is “very sturdy” and may embody a Crosstrek model.
“So (turbo) Outback is right here – that was our first job, huge tick; (now we’re) engaged on our huge want listing of what else we would deliver,” he stated.
Mr Blair described the Wilderness fashions as “a real probability” for Australia.
“We’re working intently with the workforce that help this market on the manufacturing facility, so watch this house,” he stated.
“We’ve heard from our buyer base that that type of product – a bit extra rugged – would have a terrific place available in the market right here and can be a terrific go well with for the (Subaru) model.”
A choice on whether or not the North American ‘Wilderness’ branding will translate to the Australian market has not but been made however the total type and ethos of those merchandise is anticipated to be replicated right here.
“We’ve nonetheless set to work by whether or not it’s the identical (identify); we clearly need to respect what they’ve performed of their market, however yeah, very sturdy plans,” stated Mr Learn.
The excellent modifications made to North American Outback and Forester Wilderness variants – most of that are anticipated to characteristic on right-hand-drive Australian variations – are underpinned by vital will increase in floor clearance.
Within the Outback Wilderness, trip peak will increase from 213mm to 241mm, giving it a slight benefit over the Forester Wilderness that lifts from 220mm to 234mm.
The remainder of the ‘Wilderness’ remedy contains entrance skid plates, bespoke bumpers with anodised copper accents and improved method/departure angles, distinctive side-skirt cladding, matte-black bonnet panels supposed to scale back glare, and a singular hero color known as Geyser Blue.
Inside is water-repellent ‘Star Tex’ honeycomb upholstery with copper stitching, ‘Wilderness’ headrest logos, anodised copper inside accents, charcoal headlining, front-view displays and rear tailgates with embedded LED lighting.
Making an attempt to fight its larger overhangs, the method angle of the Outback Wilderness will increase from 18.6 to twenty levels whereas the departure angle goes from 21.7 to 23.6 levels. Its ramp-over angle improves from 19.4 levels to 21.2 levels.
Each Wilderness variants characteristic 17-inch Yokohama Geolandar all-terrain tyres with larger sidewall peak for improved absorbency, mounted on distinctive matte-black alloy wheels.
To enhance the off-road capabilities of every mannequin, Subaru has recalibrated their transmissions and lowered final-drive ratios, whereas the ‘X-Mode’ traction system beneficial properties settings for deep snow, sand and dust that permit for extra wheel slip to forestall bogging.
Within the US, the Outback Wilderness options the 183kW/350Nm 2.4-litre turbo-petrol flat-four not too long ago launched right here on the Outback XT, whereas the Forester Wilderness presents the identical 136kW/239Nm 2.5-litre direct-injection flat 4 as most different Forester variants.
Subaru Australia has not discounted (or confirmed) whether or not a turbocharged Forester can also be a future chance, although solely the Japanese home market presently presents a turbo model, producing 130kW/300Nm from its direct-injection 1.8-litre turbo-petrol flat 4. These outputs are effectively beneath these of the brand new turbocharged Outback XT.
Extra probably is a expertise and efficiency/effectivity improve to the present Forester Hybrid.
Earlier this 12 months, Mr Learn stated that work was being performed to enhance this significant medium-SUV mannequin and that its drivetrain would proceed to be Subaru-specific fairly than shared with Toyota, as had been rumoured.
Whereas the next-generation Forester continues to be at the very least 18 months away, Mr Learn confirmed that “developments in (Subaru) hybrid expertise are within the pipeline and are coming – within the brief time period – however I can’t inform you a timeframe but.
“We might completely love development (with) Forester with hybrid – I believe there’s a very sturdy place for that,” he stated.
Subaru Australia’s plans for any particular ‘fiftieth Anniversary’ editions stays below wraps, nonetheless the strengthening ties between Subaru HQ and its native importer (dealt with by Inchcape since 1992) would appear to supply loads of alternative for bespoke enhancements.
“It’s a robust working relationship – the work we do with the Subaru Company,” stated Mr Learn. “They’ve spent plenty of time down right here currently, understanding the market.
“The workforce listed here are very passionate concerning the product and the model, and there’s a very nice vitality round how the long run appears. So there’s plenty of dialogue on future alternatives – it’s [looking] actually good,” he stated.
Subaru formally launched in Australia in 1973 with its front-wheel-drive 1400 mannequin vary (known as Leone in Japan) – comprising a four-door sedan and a two-door coupe (in GL and GSR guises). A 4WD 1400 wagon adopted in 1975.