WITH the turbocharged Outback XT now a actuality for the right-hand-drive Australia and New Zealand markets, Subaru Australia will proceed its push for distinctive variants and drivetrains, together with the doubtless return of a turbocharged Forester and a 2.5-litre engine for the sixth-generation Impreza.
Chatting with GoAuto on the MY23 Outback launch, Subaru Australia managing director Blair Learn mentioned that the two-year journey to make Outback XT a actuality for this market (it was beforehand a North America-only, left-hand-drive-only mannequin) has made it simpler to develop future variants which can be distinctive to Australia and New Zealand, based mostly on their suitability and buyer attraction.
“The Outback turbo is right here, so large tick,” mentioned Mr Learn. “Now we take a look at how we stock that momentum on and proceed to develop variants within the vary … That’s the fixed drive we’re on in the meanwhile – the precise variants to have throughout the vary that attraction to current Subaru homeowners. We’re actually, actually aware of that.”
Mr Learn once more acknowledged the off-road-focused, Japanese-sourced Outback and Forester ‘Wilderness’ variants that he beforehand all however confirmed will develop Subaru Australia’s line-up later this 12 months and was properly conscious of a want to see a flagship Forester XT return to those shores.
“We’ve heard XT Forester come up numerous instances with that nameplate coming again,” he mentioned. “We’ve acquired a want listing this lengthy, however what can (we) ship on that prospects are actually in search of – notably for loyal homeowners?”
Mr Learn admitted that the shortage of a six-cylinder engine possibility when the current-generation Outback launched in early 2021 “was an actual problem”.
“We had current homeowners going, ‘I’m used to the model of drive and the model of efficiency, what have you ever acquired for me?’,” he mentioned, including that overcoming this problem had doubtlessly opened up alternatives for Subaru Australia.
“So we’re actually completely satisfied that we’ve been capable of convey that sort of product again for them, and now it’s ‘how will we proceed to increase any such considering throughout the vary?’,” defined Mr Learn.
“We’ve a very nice relationship with the manufacturing facility and the product growth staff, and dialogue on ‘what are the precise merchandise?’ Clearly, it’s a very attention-grabbing time within the auto business in the meanwhile, making selections for a few years forward on what sort of product, what’s a buyer demanding.”
Nevertheless, Subaru Australia is taking a cautious strategy when it comes to concentrating on any variant proliferation at a confirmed want and want available in the market.
“We’re (getting suggestions about) having extra selection out there, so making the precise selections is essential. A number of our work simply focuses on what are our prospects in search of … ensuring we ship for them and take into consideration them first when it comes to Subaru staying true to what Subaru is,” mentioned Mr Learn.
Whereas the emphasis on Subaru Australia’s push for better selection has been directed in the direction of turbocharged flagships – notably the Forester XT, which disappeared when the present mannequin launched in mid-2018, regardless of higher-performance variants accounting for greater than 20 % of the full quantity of its important competitor, the Mazda CX-5 – this train in increasing drivetrain selection shouldn’t be solely about turbos.
Enter the two.5-litre Impreza RS, and its shut cousin, the two.5-litre Crosstrek. Mr Learn mentioned that as manufacturing turns into extra constant, volumes enhance and wait instances lower for patrons, the chance to introduce new and various things to market turns into more and more open.
By way of sourcing these larger-capacity flat-four engines from Japan (they have been beforehand solely out there from Subaru’s North American manufacturing plant in left-hand drive), Mr Learn mentioned this was now not an impediment.
“They’re below dialogue and evaluate, as to are they the precise match for the market,” he mentioned.
When requested particularly about reviving the Impreza RS, Mr Learn implied that it was a pure development for Subaru Australia to supply an RS mannequin with the sixth-generation Impreza vary.
“I believe you’ve seen from what we’ve finished with XT, WRX has acquired an RS and a GT, we’re followers of these iconic nameplates, and I believe prospects are too,” he mentioned, although with out confirming something about an Impreza RS’s potential powertrain.
For the North American market, Subaru’s 2.5-litre direct-injection flat 4 produces 136kW and 239Nm within the Crosstrek and new-gen Impreza, in comparison with 115kW/196Nm from the smaller 2.0-litre that has already been confirmed for each fashions in Australia.
As for the upcoming and much-needed enhancements to Subaru’s current, modestly succesful hybrid drivetrain, Mr Learn confirmed that “we’re beginning to get nearer”.
“There’s been important funding from Subaru, which they’ve introduced, when it comes to hybrid manufacturing, EV manufacturing, and what which means for the remainder of the last decade. So we’re getting a lot nearer to that now beginning to come by into availability and manufacturing volumes for market. Keep tuned, however it’s getting nearer,” he mentioned.
Given the significance of the forthcoming sixth-generation Forester to Subaru’s world fortunes, count on this next-generation hybrid system to debut within the 2024 Forester, after which transition into the Crosstrek Hybrid and Impreza Hybrid shortly thereafter.
One other mannequin more likely to go hybrid is the Ascent, a three-row massive SUV that may be a successor to the Tribeca within the North American market and one Subaru Australia has its eye on as a possible competitor to the Toyota Kluger and Kia Sorento.
Mr Learn indicated that the Ascent is one other mannequin on his want listing however couldn’t verify something presently.
“Discussions proceed. We might like to see it occur,” he mentioned.
