All-new Subaru Outback details emerge
Increased towing capacity a highlight but only 2.5-litre petrol engine to be offered at launchSubaru Australia has confirmed the long-awaited new-generation Subaru Outback will arrive Down Under in March 2021 boasting its highest-ever towing capacity – now at 2000kg.
The flagship vehicle in the Subaru range currently offers a 1500kg or 1700kg braked towing capacity for the 2.5-litre petrol and 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine variant respectively.
Showing off an all-new look and bristling with the latest technology – including a massive 11.6-inch touch-screen in the cabin – every variant of the new Outback will be powered at launch by what Subaru describes as a “refined 2.5-litre horizontally opposed boxer engine”.
This indicates that the 2.0-litre diesel and 3.6-litre petrol models may be scrapped, and that the beefy 2.4-litre turbo-petrol boxer engine (195kW/375kW) offered in the United States also appears to be off the menu.
The 2.5-litre petrol engine will be paired with a CVT automatic transmission and Subaru’s trademark symmetrical all-wheel drive system.
Pricing, specifications and equipment levels are expected to be announced in early 2021, but Subaru Australia has confirmed all variants will come with the latest version of its EyeSight driver assist suite as standard, which will add several autonomous steering, braking and acceleration functions.
For reference, the current Subaru Outback is priced between $37,440 and $50,440 (plus on-road costs), and is offered in regular and premium model grades.
Although official images of the Australian-spec Outback vehicles have not yet been revealed, Subaru’s flagship off-roader will have the same core body shape as the US version (pictured), which is built in Indiana.
North American versions of the new sixth-generation Subaru Outback broke cover some 18 months ago at the New York motor show in April 2019.
Subaru Australia’s shipments of the large SUV will come from Japan, which means all Subaru models will now come from the brand’s home base.
However, there could be minor design changes for Japanese-built versions compared to the US, including different grille styles, cladding on the wheel-arches and potentially roof rail changes.
Celebrating 25 years on and off Aussie roads, the new generation rides on a newer Subaru Global Platform architecture which enables higher levels of technology and improved fuel efficiency as well.
The Outback has been a solid contributor for Subaru. Despite sales dropping by just over a third in 2020, from 6772 to 4499 units with one month of trading to go, it still commands a 5.5 per cent market share of the large SUV segment.
The segment sales leader is the Toyota Prado with 15,534 units, or 19 per cent market share.
Subaru Australia’s general manager, Blair Read, said the new Subaru Outback will offer a significant increase in technology, luxury and safety when it arrives in March 2021.
“Outback will have an incredible specification list cementing it as the flagship of the Subaru range. This will appeal to both loyal Subaru customers and newcomers, who are increasingly aware of the compelling whole-of-life value that Subaru ownership represents,” he said.
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