Subaru invents a lateral thinker

This Outback is in the Subaru range that gives you a three-in-one engine.

Forty years ago Fuji Heavy Industries introduced its first boxer engine, a 1-litre four-cylinder unit that drove the front wheels of the four-door Subaru 1000 sedan.

The horizontally opposed cylinder technology made Subaru stand out from other 1966 Japanese cars, most of which were rear-wheel drive with conventional in-line engines.

But the carmaker's perserverence with the flat-four engine design - used in the VW Beetle and early Porsche models - paved the way for the symmetrical all-wheel-drive system that is the cornerstone of every new Subaru sold in New Zealand today.

Now Subaru is introducing another drivetrain component, called Si-Drive for Subaru Intelligent Drive, in its updated four and six-cylinder Legacy range. The system offers three settings: Intelligent mode for optimum economy, Sports mode for everyday driving, and Sports Sharp mode for high performance.

The expanded range includes the introduction of a "luxury" 2.5-litre model for both Outback and Legacy and Si-Drive on all 3-litre and GT models.

The range also gets new headlights, grilles, bumpers, fog lights, tail-lights and alloy wheels, and more options. Telescopic steering wheels to complement height adjustment are standard on every model.

The 206kW Legacy GT is now available with a six-speed manual gearbox as well as the five-speed automatic Si-Drive. The 180kW six-cylinder engine gets a 4 per cent boost in torque between 1200 and 2800rpm.

"This is our most comprehensive Legacy and Outback range ever," says Subaru of NZ general manager Chris Rickards. "Si-Drive is a fantastic initiative that enables our customers to get the very best out of their driving, right across the operating range. It's like having the advantage of three engines in one."

"There's also a much more linear progression through pricing of the entire range, bringing aspirational models within reach of customers who may have previously found the margin too great."

The Legacy range starts with the 2.0R priced from $37,990 and the 2.5i at $41,990. The luxury 2.5-litre model starts at $44,990, the six-cylinder 3.0R spec.B is $58,990 and the range-topping GT spec.B starts at $59,990.

Outback prices start at $43,990 with the luxury model from $47,990 and the 3.0R from $55,990.