Subaru cuts prices across Liberty range

The new model year range, which has undergone a minor cosmetic facelift inside and out also receives a significant upgrade in equipment levels and some mechanical updates with the introduction of an "Intelligent Drive" system (read more here) on six-cylinder and turbo-charged four cylinder models.

The new model year also sees the re-introduction a GT version of the Liberty with a bigger 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine.

The new model range now starts at $31,990 -- the same price as the outgoing model -- for the 121kW/187Nm 2.0-litre flat four-cylinder five-speed manual sedan while it gains brake assist, a premium six-stack CD audio system that is compatible with MP3 and WMA files, telescopic and tilt adjustable steering column and cruise control and audio controls on the steering wheel.

The prices of the 2.0-litre Liberty models are all unchanged and rise to $35,990 for the four-speed automatic wagon.

Next up in the model lineup is the 121kW/226Nm 2.5i flat four which has been reduced in price by $1000 for the manual models and $1500 for the four-speed autos and now ranges from $34,990 for the manual sedan through to $43,490 for the 2.5i Premium automatic wagon.

The entry level model gains the same spec increases and refreshed front end and dash and centre console as the 2.0-litre versions and used to be called the Safety Pack but this has been dropped as all Liberty's now feature ABS, dual front, front side and side curtain airbags and as before the entire range is all-wheel drive.

The base model 180kW/297Nm 3.0-litre flat six 3.0R model remains the same price as the outgoing model with a starting sticker of $50,990 for the five-speed automatic sedan but gains on top of the other changes power driver's seat, dual zone climate control, an improved 14-speaker McIntosh audio system, Xenon headlights and Subaru's Intelligent Drive system.

This system offers three models of driving from "intelligent" which reduces maximum power and torque and controls throttle response and auto shift points in a manner aimed at economy driving, through a "sports" mode which allows full power and torque and better response, to "sports sharp" mode which again sharpens response and maps and encourages the transmission to hold gears longer to extract more power an torque from the engine. The auto box can also be shifted manually via steering wheel mounted paddles.

The 3.0R spec B model is the only one in the lineup to have suffered a minor price increase of $500 for the six-speed manual and $1500 for the five-speed automatic with both now priced from $52,490 for the sedan with a $2000 premium for the wagon. The spec B models get a sports suspension with Bilstein dampers, 18-inch alloys and black -- as opposed to ivory in the 3.0R -- leather trim.

The new GT model, which now sports a 500cc bigger four-cylinder 184kW/339Nm 2.5-litre turbo engine and is tuned for 95ron petrol, is priced from $54,490 for the five-speed automatic sedan. A spec B version of the Liberty GT is also available with the option of a six-speed manual gearbox and the same suspension as the 3.0R spec B priced at $55,990 for the sedan and $57,990 for the wagon.

 The higher riding Outback wagons have also received similar exterior and interior cosmetic and equipment changes with the 2.5i version cut by $1000 for the manual and $1500 for the auto to $36,990 and $38,990 respectively. Like the Liberty, the auto-only 3.0R Outback gains the Intelligent Drive system and has increased in price by $500 to start from $46,990.

The '07 model year Liberty and Outback goes on sale on Friday September 8. Look out for Carpoint's full launch review later this week.

Subaru Liberty MY07 pricing
2.0R manual sedan $31,990 (No change from MY06)
2.0R automatic sedan $33,990 (No change)
2.0R manual wagon $33,990 (No change)
2.0R automatic wagon  $35,990 (No change)

2.5I manual sedan (formerly '2.5i Safety Pack') $34,990 (previously $35,990)
2.5I automatic sedan (formerly '2.5i Safety Pack') $36,990 (previously $38,490)

2.5I manual wagon (formerly '2.5i Safety Pack') $36,990 (previously $37,990)
2.5I automatic wagon (formerly '2.5i Safety Pack') $38,990 (previously $40,490)

2.5i Premium automatic sedan $41,490 (previously $42,990)
2.5i Premium automatic wagon $43,490 (previously $44,990)

3.0R automatic sedan $50,990 (No change)
3.0R automatic wagon $52,990 (No change)

3.0R spec.B manual sedan $52,490 (previously $51,990)
3.0R spec.B automatic sedan $52,490 (previously $50,990) 
3.0R spec.B manual wagon $54,490 (previously $53,990) 
3.0R spec.B automatic wagon $54,490 (previously $52,990)

GT automatic sedan starts at $54,490
GT automatic wagon starts at $56,490

GT spec.B manual sedan $55,990
GT spec.B automatic sedan $55,990

GT spec.B manual wagon $57,990
GT spec.B automatic wagon $57,990