The new generation Subaru Outback is sizing up inside, with a spacious new cabin, refined ride and multiple engineering changes that will expand its versatile appeal to families.

Widely respected for its Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive ability, Outback now has the extra ingredients of more leg and shoulder room, while adding even more comfort and features to its formidable reputation.

Australia’s original crossover wagon maintains its super-safe status with a variety of new features across the range, including a driver’s knee SRS airbag and a cradle that cocoons the engine from the reinforced passenger cabin in heavy frontal crashes.

Subaru’s safety commitment is again underlined by Outback’s achievement of the highest five-star occupant safety rating in independent crashworthiness testing conducted by the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP). It also gets a three-star pedestrian rating.

Fuel consumption is improved in every Outback, including 11.6 per cent in Outback 2.5i Lineartronicä Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) automatic variants, in the combined cycle, and 7.2 per cent in Outback 3.6R.

Emissions performance is also refined across the range – Outback 2.5i automatic produces 11.2 per cent less carbondioxide than the superseded model in the combined cycle and the 3.6R 8.7 per cent less.

Fuji Heavy Industries, the maker of Subaru vehicles, is applying its newest gearbox, the stepless Lineartronic CVT, to Outback and, for the first time, a six-speed manual transmission is available on some variants.

Outback introduces its largest engine to date, the six-cylinder 3.6 litre horizontally opposed Boxer, producing191 kW of power at 5600 rpm and 350 Nm of torque at 4400 rpm. It runs on regular unleaded fuel.

Entry-level Outback 2.5i is priced from $37,990 Manufacturer’s List Price (MLP)*. The range topping Outback Premium with SatNav is $55,990 – both the same price as the equivalent superseded models.

Among the Outback range highlights:

• New platform produces significant space and safety benefits
• Wider, longer cabin for greater leg and shoulder room – three adults easily fit the rear seat
• Significant fuel efficiency gains – all variants
• ECO gauge encourages economical driving
• Highest five-star ANCAP safety rating across the range – addition of driver’s knee SRS airbag; cabin strengthened in strategic areas
• Lineartronic CVT available on Outback 2.5i - contributes to impressive fuel economy and requires no transmission fluid replacement, unless being continually driven in severe conditions
• Introduction of largest Outback engine yet – the compact and powerful 3.6 litre, six-cylinder horizontally opposed boxer
• Greater cargo carrying capacity
• Six-speed manual introduced on 2.5 litre naturally aspirated models
• Steering wheel paddle shifters standard on all automatic transmission models
• Reversing camera for Outbacks with factory-fitted satellite navigation (SatNav)
• Sash windows for greater noise suppression and security
• New single-cradle engine bay design – reduces noise, enhances safety and refines ride and stability
• Automatic on/off headlights that respond to specific driving conditions in 3.6R models
• Automatic windscreen wipers for optimum driver vision in 3.6R models
• Wider opening doors for easier access
• Sophisticated Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive for added driving pleasure and safety
• Voice activation system on factory-fitted SatNav for easy function selection
• Standard dual zone air conditioningK
• Keyless access and push button start system on 3.6R models
• Electric park brake on all models
• DataDot security on every Outback – in line with the entire Subaru range
• First service now at 12,500 kilometres/six months in four-cylinder models
• Self-levelling rear suspension

Nick Senior, Managing Director, Subaru Australia, said: “Passenger space, cargo area size and fuel efficiency were the three biggest areas of customer feedback in the superseded models, and they have all been addressed in the new generation car.

“Outback’s interior growth makes it even more appealing to families who already appreciate its versatility, reliability and quality.

“The extra occupant and cargo space make it a more comfortable proposition on longer journeys or when load carrying.

“Local testing has helped produce a highly capable crossover wagon that delivers on the promise of handling the roughest of city roads and the challenge of unsealed rural tracks with ease and confidence.

“That’s thanks to the Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system that the original Outback helped establish so capably in Australia, and for which Subaru has become renowned.

“The sheer engineering quality and impressive specification list of our new Outbacks will take it to a wider audience.”

The range will be completed in November with the introduction of Subaru Australia’s first diesel model, the turbocharged Outback 2.0D.

The new generation Outback line-up comprises:

• Outback 2.5i – with the choice of Lineartronic CVT or six-speed manual transmission
• Outback 2.5i Premium – includes leather trim, electric sunroof and rear air vents
• Outback 2.5i Premium with SatNav –includes DVD, reversing camera and Bluetooth compatibility
• Outback 3.6R – includes six-cylinder engine, five-speed automatic and Xenon HID low beam headlights
• Outback 3.6R Premium – includes factory-fitted SatNav, DVD, reversing camera, Bluetooth compatibility, leather trim, power passenger seat, McIntosh sound system and electric sunroof.