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MORE UP-FRONT EXPOSURE NEEDED FOR THE 2006 OUTBACK Country dwellers are well aware of Subaru’s all-wheel drive Impreza and Forester models but townies and ‘petrol heads’ seem to go for the flash Impreza WRX rally car look-alike models. But hidden at the top of the Subaru UK model line-up is the Legacy range of semi-executive Legacy Saloons, Estates and the semi off-road Outback. The Outback as its name suggests, is based on the Estate but with 200mm of ground clearance, longer suspension travel, and under-body protection making it suitable to negotiate with its all-wheel drive system, fairly severe off-road conditions when the need arises. Country users are the prime targets. Because it is relatively expensive with the range starting at £20,600 for the 2.5-litre models and rising to £28,400 for the top of the range 3.0-litre VT Rn Automatic, it likely to be country estate owners, farm managers, horse racing trainers, architects and such like who buy this model. Caravan users too will appreciate the extra power of the petrol V6 engine, the extra ground clearance and the four-wheel drive performance. At the recent press launch of the new Impreza range, Subaru in the UK admitted they need to grow the public awareness of the brand overall and not just target existing customers who always remain faithful to the Impreza and Forester ranges. They need to reel-in new customers likely to be attracted by Subaru’s all wheel drive policy for all their models. Other selling points are their unique driving attractions of the high-torque, flat-four and six cylinder ‘boxer’ engines and the general product quality which usually gives years of reliable service backed-up by a three year/60,000 mechanical and paintwork warranty and 12-years anti-corrosion cover. The down-side for the brand is that they do not have any diesel engine options and with UK diesel car sales accounting for 35 per cent of the market that means one in three buyers will not be available to Subaru. Many of the diesel customers for taxation reasons will be company car users – just the sort of people who might like the driving refinement and high equipment levels the Legacy offers. Visual changes for the 2006 Legacy model year are small, a new grille, new style headlights and re-styled wheels. For a high ground clearance Estate, the Outback looks sleek and can hold its own in the executive market, it just needs a higher profile. The interior is fully equipped with front and side airbags, active head restraints, child friendly seat belts, electric windows and door mirrors, stereo radio and a stack CD player, climate control, windscreen wiper de-icers, leather seat and door trim, eight-way power adjustable front seats, 60/40 folding rear seat and cargo area cover. My Outback Rn test version also had a navigation system fitted as standard. Technical specification for 2006 includes more power and torque, the symmetrical all-wheel drive system, 5-speed sequential shift automatic transmission, self-levelling suspension, Subaru’s Dynamic Handling Control system, 17-inch alloy wheels, twin exhaust tailpipes, deadlocks, keyless entry, cruise control and ABS anti lock braking. Quite a list so you can see it is good value for money and still cheaper than its most obvious alternative the Audi Quattro Estates or a full blown 4x4 SUV such as the BMW X5, Range Rover Sport or Volvo XC70. The looks of the Outback are refined, the specification is comprehensive and the drivetrain is everything it should be. The ‘flat-six’ boxer petrol engine, uprated for the 2006 model year, is very responsive with the distinctive ‘burble’ this horizontally opposed layout gives. Power output is a healthy 245PS with 297 Nm of torque provided at 4,200rpm. Mated with the 5-speed tiptronic type auto transmission with a Sports mode, the driving quality on offer is well up to executive car performance. Add in the AWD with its clever centre differential that splits the power distribution as required from front to rear, to all four wheels, and you have the complete package. Top speed is a competitive 139mph with the 0-60mph dash done in 8.1 seconds. The overall average fuel economy is officially 28.5 mpg, but for rural day-to-day motoring 25 mpg is more likely. The handling is sharp and precise, the power delivery superb, the suspension comfortable and the fuel economy acceptable – just. The specification level is fully comprehensive but the interior seating space in the rear is not executive car size, especially for rear legroom. The load area capacity of 459 litres with the rear seat in use is not generous. However fold down the seats and this improves to 1,628 litres with a very useful 77.4 inches of load area carrying length. Another plus point is the 2,000kg braked towing capacity, ideal for caravaners, boat owners or everyday farmers. This Legacy Outback is a hidden gem and well worth considering if you have the need for such a soft on-off road, powerful all wheel drive vehicle. These vehicles have not been sold to the masses to date so they are scarce secondhand and used values are pretty strong.
From: Miles Better News Agency
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