Subaru gives new class to outdoorsy Outback
NEW YORK -- Subaru, one of the hottest brands in the auto industry, is giving a sleeker look for 2015 to the basically boxy Outback that otherwise oozes practicality.
The new Outback, unveiled Thursday at the auto show, has a "faster silhouette" and slimmer roof pillars, allowing for better visibility for the driver, says Tom Doll, head of the Subaru brand in the U.S. The car should show up in showrooms in August.
It also will come with a choice of two engines: a 2.5-liter flat ("boxer") four-cylinder, up 2 horsepower to 175 hp is the one that most people buy. It has more-refined engine mounting to minimize the coarse feel and sound that some Subaru boxers exhibit. It's lighter and internal parts have been modified for less friction.
High-dollar buyers of the top Limited version can get a 3.6-liter, 256-hp boxer six-cylinder.
Combined city/highway mileage ratings are boosted two miles per gallon for each -- 25 city, 33 highway, 28 combined for the four and 20/27/22 for the six..
Full-time all-wheel-drive continues to be standard, mated to a CVT (continuously variable-ratio automatic transmission).
A new feature called X-mode activates downhill control, that keeps you from racing too fast when descending, which in turn keeps you from hitting the brakes and sliding out of control as you panic at how fast you're going.
Too, X-mode uses the traction control and other systems to keep you moving through muck and such, no matter how stupid your right foot behaves. You can slam the gas pedal to the floor and the X-mode nannies you out of mayhem by refusing to allow full power that would spin wheels and sink your car in the mud.
It works up to about 25 mph, when it switches the car back to normal operation.
Addressing gripes of the most intensive Subie users, who carry bikes, canoes, surfboards and the like on top of the car, the Outback has cross-arms that are tucked into the the roof rails. When it's time to use the top for carrying, you swivel the arms across to click into the rail on the other side.
The idea is to reduce wind resistance and improve mpg when you don't really need the cross bars.
The sixth-generation Outback will have more interior space, even though it remains the same size on the outside. It also has active torque vectoring which uses braking and power shifting side-to-side, not just front to back, to enhance driveability and traction.
The interior is upgraded and the Outback will have more luxury touches, too. There will be heated seats available front and rear and an optional 12-speaker surround sound.