- Excellent fuel economy and torque from unique Boxer® diesel engine
- Superior driving experience thanks to Lineartronic™ CVT transmission
- World-first mating of Boxer® diesel and CVT technology
Subaru’s quintessential go-anywhere, do-anything crossover is at the forefront of the company’s technological innovation – the world-renowned Outback is now available with diesel power and CVT automatic transmission. For the first time ever, Subaru’s Boxer® diesel and Lineartronic™ CVT technologies are meeting to create the perfect combination of engine and transmission in a car which is still the darling of anyone who wants a machine with no boundaries. ‘Confidence in Motion’ is the Subaru brand slogan and the new Outback diesel CVT is the personification of this powerful maxim.
New Subaru Outback 2.0D Premium Lineartronic™
Joining the existing Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium Lineartronic™, the new Outback 2.0D Premium Lineartronic™ brings with it the same high levels of quality, equipment, safety and refinement that Outback customers and fans are already used to, but with a host of added benefits brought along by the introduction of diesel power.
Subaru Boxer® diesel engine
Famed for being the only Boxer® diesel engine in the world, the Subaru Boxer® diesel engine, which uses turbocharging and a horizontally-opposed punching or ‘boxing’ piston action around a central crank shaft – two technologies with which Subaru is exceptionally well-acquainted – is the pinnacle of Subaru engine development and technology. The 2.0-litre force-fed DOHC four-cylinder Boxer® diesel engine carries inherent benefits, besides those of good fuel economy usually associated with diesel motors.
Boxer® construction allows for the engine to be long and flat with a low centre of gravity, as opposed to a conventional in-line engine which is much taller with a high centre of gravity. The default advantage is that the engine can be mounted low down in the engine bay which in turn lowers the vehicle’s centre of gravity, contributing to noticeable handling improvements overall. Thanks to the assistance of the turbocharger, the Boxer® diesel engine produces 110 kW of power at 3 600 rpm and 350 Nm of torque between 1 800 and 2 400 rpm.
The generous helping of torque not only contributes to a significantly relaxing drive, where the accompanying Boxer® thrum also allows for pleasant acoustics as opposed to other four-cylinder diesel engines which tend to produce rather uninspiring sounds, but fuel economy is similarly enjoyable – the new Outback diesel CVT drinks an average of just 6.5-litres per 100 km on the combined cycle, and carbon emissions are low at 172 g/km. Fuel requirements are strictly low sulphur or 50 ppm diesel.
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive™
Of course, the new Outback diesel CVT also features Subaru’s famous Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive™ system – splitting the power symmetrically between both the front and rear axles as well as the left and right sides of the car means the new Outback diesel CVT offers an entirely confidence-inspiring driving experience, no matter what the road conditions. Coupled to a linear steering feel and minimal body roll, the Outback diesel CVT’s on-road manners are exemplary.
The Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive™ system also means the Outback diesel CVT is able to tackle any environment with aplomb, the 213 mm ground clearance allowing for generous off-road use as well. The new Outback diesel CVT also features enhanced noise insulation and exceptional NVH levels. No matter what the requirements or scope of the driver’s lifestyle, the Subaru Outback diesel is the perfect tool for the job.
Lineartronic™ CVT
The Lineartronic™ Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) with Adaptive Transmission Control which does duty in many other Subaru models including the petrol-powered Outback, the all-new Forester and the XV, has been mated to the Boxer® diesel engine for the very first time in the new Outback diesel CVT and with much significance, too. Not only does the infinite flexibility of CVT allow for optimal power delivery, tailored and on demand for the exact requirements of the driver and the driving conditions, but its application to a diesel engine means an overall stress-free driving experience. Thanks in no small part to the Boxer® diesel’s peak torque of 350 Nm being available at such low rpm (from 1 800), the Outback diesel CVT presents a calm and relaxing driving experience like no other. And, when the mood takes the driver, two steering-wheel mounted gearshift paddles allow for full manual control of the transmission in a seven-speed manual simulation mode, which then mimics actual gear changes for a sporty driving experience.
Five-star safety
Safety is of course one of the pillars of the Subaru brand and the Outback is no exception to the rule of creating ultimately safe vehicles. The Outback diesel CVT has, just like every other Subaru, received the IIHS’ Top Safety Pick award, along with five-star Euro NCAP and ANCAP safety ratings. Employing its Ring-Shaped Reinforcement™ design philosophy on the Outback’s chassis, the high-tensile steel passenger cell has been designed to dissipate energy around and away from the passenger compartment instead of through it, in the event of an accident. Whiplash injury severity is also reduced in the Outback thanks to whiplash-reducing front seats, which allow for whiplash energy to be absorbed more by the seats than their occupants in the event of a rear-end collision.
Other safety equipment, all of which is fitted as standard to all Outback models in fact, comprises seven airbags including a driver’s knee airbag, a rear-view camera, seat belt warning buzzers for all five seats, a collapsible brake pedal, ISOFIX child seat anchor points and Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) – a comprehensive set of safety systems which include ABS, EBD, TCS (Traction Control System), ESC (Electronic Stability Control) and LSD (Limited Slip Device).
Premium specification
Matching the high levels of safety is a comprehensive list of standard-fitment equipment which not only makes the new Outback diesel CVT a joy to live with, but also highlights its value for money. Included as standard are 17-inch alloy wheels and a full-size spare, a powered sunroof, roof rails, HID xenon headlights, leather upholstery, an 8-way electrically-adjustable driver’s seat, dual-zone automatic climate control with rear ventilation, keyless entry and push-button starting, a multi-function, tilt- and reach-adjustable leather-bound steering wheel, cruise control, an electronic handbrake, split-folding rear seats with a recline function, a sunglasses holder, eight cup holders, a multi-information display screen, a premium audio system with six speakers and radio, CD, auxiliary, MP3 and USB support, as well as Bluetooth for hands-free cellphone use and audio streaming.
Ashley Lazarus, Marketing Manager at Subaru Southern Africa, says the introduction of the new Subaru Outback diesel CVT is a significant step forward for the brand: “The new Outback diesel CVT not only complements the existing petrol-powered Outback perfectly, but it being the first model to feature our praised Lineartronic™ transmission and our renowned Boxer® diesel technology is exceptionally important. Subaru is widely regarded as being at the pinnacle of Japanese engineering and technology, and these are two assets within the company which put us there. This new model also means we are now able to plug a significant gap in our line-up, a gap where consumers tend to favour automatic diesel SUVs.
“The new Outback diesel is quick on its feet, smooth on the road, fantastic fun to take off the beaten track and brilliantly economical – it is the perfect all-rounder; the perfect car especially for lifestyle buyers,” concludes Lazarus.
The new Subaru Outback 2.0D Premium Lineartronic™ is now available in eight striking colours and retails for R459 000 including VAT.
A 3-year/ 100 000 km warranty and 3-year/ 60 000 km maintenance plan are included in the price.