Subaru Liberty gains reversing cameras

Subaru has announced a 2012 model year upgrade for its Liberty range. According to the importer, the entry-level Liberty 2.5i now comes with over $3000 more equipment, including a standard reversing camera.

Prices have not been adjusted, so buyers will still pay $32,990 for the base model, which also features standard leather trim following the upgrade. And all Liberty models licensed to seat five occupants also come with a full-size alloy spare as part of the new model year upgrade.

The Liberty 2.5i is also uprated with the addition of rear air vents, an eight-way electrically-adjustable driver's seat (including lumbar adjustment), a 4.3-inch LCD infotainment screen and a USB connection for the audio system.

Liberty 2.5i Premium and Sports Premium variants now come standard with satellite navigation and the Liberty 3.6R Premium gains 'EyeSight' safety system. The innovative safety feature comprises mini cameras located near the interior mirror, monitoring the road ahead for hazards and alerting the driver.

“These upgrades make Liberty an even more compelling package, combining safety, luxury and functionality to produce a highly durable and desirable car with the added benefit of sure-footed All-Wheel Drive, ” said Nick Senior, Managing Director for Subaru Australia.

“We’re also honoured to become the first export market for EyeSight™, which we’ve committed to gradually introducing right across our Australian range in the coming years.”

Engineers from both Subaru in Australia and Japanese parent company Fuji Heavy Industries have been testing the safety feature locally over the past year. Seven different functions of the EyeSight system include Pre-Crash Braking, Pre-Crash Brake Assist, Pre-Collision Throttle Management, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning, Vehicle Sway Warning and Lead Vehicle Start Alert.

Respectively, these functions:
Apply the brakes if the driver fails to do so,
Apply heavier braking in the event of an emergency,
Inhibit unintended acceleration in the vicinity of a physical hazard,
Maintain a safe distance from the car in front,
Alert the driver to the vehicle crossing into another lane without the indicator operating,
Alert the driver to the vehicle swaying from side to side and alerting the driver if the car in front moves off from a standing start.

The Adaptive Cruise Control function can bring the vehicle to a full stop and the EyeSight system can recognise pedestrians, motorcycles and pushbikes in the vicinity of the vehicle.

Prices for the MY12 range are as follows:
Liberty 2.5i manual sedan — $32,990
Liberty 2.5i Lineartronic CVT sedan — $34,990
Liberty 2.5i manual wagon — $34,990
Liberty 2.5i Lineartronic CVT wagon — $36,990

Liberty 2.5i Premium Lineartronic CVT sedan — $40,990
Liberty 2.5i Premium Lineartronic CVT wagon — $42,990

Liberty 2.5i Sports Premium Lineartronic CVT sedan — $45,490
Liberty 2.5i Sports Premium Lineartronic CVT wagon — $47,490

Liberty 2.5 GT Premium manual sedan — $52,990
Liberty 2.5 GT Premium auto sedan — $54,990
Liberty 2.5 GT Premium manual wagon — $54,990
Liberty 2.5 GT Premium auto wagon — $56,990

Liberty 3.6R Premium auto sedan — $53,490

Read the latest news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site...