Stage set for Subaru Outback Wilderness in Oz
And Subaru Forester Wilderness is a step closer too with fresh local trademark filing of rugged brand nameThe 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness and other models under the Japanese car-maker’s rugged off-road-oriented sub-brand are another step closer to an Aussie debut, following the filing of a fresh trademark application with IP Australia this week.
Filed on February 17, this is Subaru’s second Wilderness-related trademark application Down Under in the past nine months.
It comes just weeks after Subaru Australia general manager Blair Read confirmed the rugged Subaru Outback Wilderness remained under serious consideration for our market, along with the longed-for Outback Turbo.
“Customer demand and feedback for those models has well and truly been heard and it’s something we’re working hard on making happen,” Read told carsales.
“I don’t have a confirmed timeframe at the moment but we’re working hard with the factory to see what we can do.”
The latest filing also bolsters the local prospects of the 2022 Subaru Forester Wilderness – a rival for the Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk – being offered in Australia.
Expectations surrounding the Wilderness portfolio’s launch in Australia have been high since the sub-brand was announced in March last year.
This was promptly followed in May 2021 by the trademarking of the ‘Subaru Wilderness’ badge under Class 12 (automobiles and structural parts and structural fittings therefor).
The new trademark filed this week revolves solely around the ‘Wilderness’ nameplate and also relates to automobiles and structural parts/fittings.
Subaru’s Wilderness variants are defined by their increased ride height, beefed-up underbody protection, more aggressive tyres, rugged styling cues and marginally lower gearing.
The only other mainstream SUVs with this sort of off-road focus that aren’t dedicated 4x4s are the Jeep Compass Trailhawk and Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk, however that could soon change with the arrival of the Haval Dargo.
In North America, the Subaru Outback Wilderness is available exclusively with a 194kW/376Nm 2.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine, while its Forester stablemate makes do with the familiar 2.5-litre naturally-aspirated engine developing 136kW/239Nm.
Both powerplants are paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
Related: Subaru Outback Turbo and Wilderness still on the radar
Related: Subaru Forester Wilderness revealed
Related: New Subaru Outback Wilderness revealed
Related: Tougher Subaru Outback teased
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