Joining the existing Subaru Outback 2,5i Premium Lineartronic, the new Outback 2,0D Premium Lineartronic brings with it the same high levels of quality, equipment, safety and refinement that Outback customers and fans are already used to, but with a host of added benefits brought along by the introduction of diesel power.
Famed for being the only Boxer automotive diesel engine in the world, the Subaru Boxer diesel engine, which uses turbocharging and a horizontally-opposed punching or 'boxing' piston action around a central crank shaft - two technologies with which Subaru is exceptionally well-acquainted - is the pinnacle of Subaru engine development and technology.
The 2,0-litre force-fed DOHC four-cylinder Boxer diesel engine carries inherent benefits, besides those of good fuel economy usually associated with diesel motors.
Boxer construction allows for the engine to be long and flat with a low centre of gravity, as opposed to a conventional in-line engine, which is much taller with a high centre of gravity.
The default advantage is that the engine can be mounted low down in the engine bay, which in turn lowers the vehicle's centre of gravity, contributing to noticeable handling improvements overall.
Thanks to the assistance of the turbocharger, the Boxer diesel engine produces 110kW and 350Nm. The generous helping of torque not only contributes to a significantly relaxing drive, but the associated fuel savings are also most welcome, particularly in an all-wheel drive SUV.
GROUND CLEARANCE
The new Outback diesel CVT is said to use an average 6,5-litres per 100km on the combined cycle. Fuel requirements are strictly low sulphur or 50ppm diesel.
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive splits the power symmetrically between both the front and rear axles as well as the left and right sides of the car, which increases grip on all road surfaces automatically and given the 213mm ground clearance this includes quite tough off-road use as well.
The new Outback diesel CVT also features enhanced noise insulation and exceptional NVH levels.
The Lineartronic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) with Adaptive Transmission does duty in many other Subaru models including the petrol-powered Outback, the all-new Forester and the XV. It has now been mated to the Boxer diesel engine for the very first time in the new Outback diesel CVT.
Normally driving would be as for a fully automatic, but when the mood takes the driver, two steering-wheel mounted gearshift paddles allow manual control of the transmission in a seven-speed manual simulation mode, which then mimics actual gear changes.
SAFETY
Safety is of course one of the pillars of the Subaru brand and the Outback is no exception to the rule of creating safe vehicles. The Outback diesel CVT has five-star Euro NCAP and ANCAP safety ratings.
Safety equipment, all of which is fitted as standard to all Outback models, comprises seven airbags including a driver's knee airbag, a rear-view camera, seat belt warning buzzers for all five seats, a collapsible brake pedal, ISOFIX child seat anchor points and Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) - a comprehensive set of safety systems, which include ABS, EBD, Traction Control System (TCS), ESC and Limited Slip Device (LSD).
Standard-fitment equipment includes 17" alloy wheels and a full-size spare, a powered sunroof, roof rails, HID xenon headlights, leather upholstery, an 8-way electrically-adjustable driver's seat, dual-zone automatic climate control with rear ventilation, keyless entry and push-button starting, a multifunction, tilt- and reach-adjustable leather-bound steering wheel, cruise control, an electronic handbrake, split-folding rear seats with a recline function, a sunglasses holder, eight cup holders, a multi-information display screen, a premium audio system with six speakers and radio, CD, auxiliary, MP3 and USB support, as well as Bluetooth for hands-free cellphone use and audio streaming.
DETAILS
The Outback 2,0D Premium Lineartronic is available in eight colours and retails for R459 000. A three year or 100 000km warranty and three year or 60 000km maintenance plan are included in the price.
Occupant safety is one of the pillars of the Subaru brand and it also applies to the Outback, which has five-star Euro NCAP and ANCAP safety ratings.
'We bring you the latest Garden Route | Klein-Karoo news'
