The fifth generation Subaru Liberty is on sale in Australia this week with a sleek new look, superb safety, greater interior space and major technical advances.

The larger, significantly quieter cabin offers greater comfort, with better shoulder, head and legroom.

Fuel consumption is improved in every Liberty, including 11.0 per cent in automatic Liberty GT variants and 9.7 per cent in automatic 2.5i models, in the combined cycle.

Emissions performance is also refined across the range – automatic Liberty GT carbondioxide emissions have reduced by 31 g/km to 228 in the combined cycle, a 12.0 per cent improvement.

The Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive Model Year 2010 Liberty achieves a five-star occupant safety rating from the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP).

It raises the safety bar with the addition of a driver’s knee SRS airbag and an engine “cradle” that folds to absorb energy in heavy frontal collisions.

Drivability reaches new levels of excellence with the introduction of multiple technical changes, including the option of Lineartronicä Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) and Liberty’s largest engine yet - a powerful but compact 3.6 litre horizontally opposed six-cylinder boxer.

Remarkably, some Liberty models decrease in price by up to 7.8 per cent, others maintain the level of superseded variants - and none increase, despite volatile currency pressures this year.

Entry-level Liberty 2.5i starts from $33,990 Manufacturer’s List Price (MLP)*

The range topping Liberty GT Premium starts at $52,990 - $4500 less than the superseded GT spec.B - while the new Liberty 3.6R Premium is the same price as the superseded Liberty 3.0R Premium.

New Liberty variants offer European-type standard features including electric parking brakes, while dusk sensing headlights, rain sensing wipers, keyless access and push button start are added on premium variants.

New to the range are Liberty 2.5i Sports variants that include Lineartronic CVT transmission, plus sports front bumper and grille, Bilstein suspension, alloy pedals, 18-inch alloy wheels and Xenon headlights with washers.

Among the Liberty range highlights:

• New platform produces significant space and safety benefits
• Wider, longer cabin for greater comfort – 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 knee SRS airbag; cabin strengthened in strategic areas
• Lineartronic CVT available on entry-level and 2.5i Sports Libertys - contributes to impressive fuel economy and requires no transmission fluid replacement, unless being driven in severe conditions continually
• Introduction of largest Liberty engine yet – the compact and powerful 3.6 litre, six cylinder horizontally opposed boxer
• Greater cargo carrying capacity
• Six-speed manual introduced on entry-level 2.5 litre naturally aspirated models
• Steering wheel paddle shifters standard on all automatic transmission models
• Reversing camera for Libertys 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 GT and 3.6R models
• Automatic windscreen wipers for optimum driver vision in GT and 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 conditioning
• Keyless access and push button start system on GT and 3.6R models
• Electric park brake on all models
• DataDot security on every Liberty – in line with the entire Subaru range
• First service now at 12,500 kilometres/six months in four-cylinder models

It is 20 years since the multi-award winning Liberty was introduced.

Nick Senior, Managing Director, Subaru Australia, said: “The fifth generation Liberty takes the model’s sophistication, safety, durability and innovation to a remarkable new level.

“New Liberty offers outstanding ride and handling, and every variant in the range offers better fuel efficiency and lower emissions.

“Interior space is improved to in every key dimension. This includes 30 mm in width between the front seats and 68 mm in length between the front and rear seats, while rear legroom is up 99 mm and rear shoulder room 62 mm.

“Safety is not optional at Subaru. That’s clearly demonstrated by the inclusion of dual front, side, curtain and driver’s knee SRS airbags, energy-absorbing engine cradle, framed door windows for added cabin strength and strategic strengthening of the body.

“That’s in addition to standard Electronic Stability Control and ABS brakes with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, plus a raft of other detailed safety features that shows Subaru isn’t resting on its laurels, despite being a leader in this field.”

He added: “The specification versus price equation is a compelling story.

“Every Liberty is keenly priced. The fact that none have increased and some have actually decreased, while specification is enhanced in so many key areas, makes these vehicles an extremely attractive proposition.”

The new generation Liberty line-up comprises:

• Liberty 2.5i – with the choice of Lineartronic CVT or six-speed manual transmission
• Liberty 2.5i Premium – Lineartronic CVT, plus leather trim, electric sunroof and rear air vents
• Liberty 2.5i Premium with SatNav – adds DVD, reversing camera and Bluetooth compatibility
• Liberty 2.5i Sports – includes Lineartronic CVT transmission, plus sports front bumper and grille; Bilstein suspension, alloy pedals, 18-inch alloy wheels and Xenon headlights with washers
• Liberty 2.5i Sports Premium – includes leather trim and power driver’s seat
• Liberty 2.5i Sports Premium with SatNav – adds DVD, reversing camera and Bluetooth compatibility
• Liberty 2.5i GT Premium with SatNav - includes turbocharged engine, factory-fitted SatNav with DVD, reversing camera, Bluetooth compatibility, choice of five-speed automatic, or six-speed manual, leather trim, sports bumper and grille, Bilstein suspension, alloy pedals, 18-inch alloy wheels, power passenger seat, Xenon HID headlights, McIntosh sound system and electric sunroof
• Liberty 3.6R Premium with SatNav (sedan-only) – includes six-cylinder engine, factory-fitted SatNav with DVD, reversing camera, Bluetooth compatibility, five-speed automatic, leather trim, sports bumper, 18-inch alloy wheels, power passenger seat, Xenon HID headlights, McIntosh sound system and electric sunroof.