Chicago show: Seventh-gen Subaru Liberty teased
BY SPENCER LEECH | 1st Feb 2019
SUBARU took to social media this week to tease its upcoming Subaru Legacy – or Liberty as it is known in Australia – ahead of its official reveal at the Chicago motor show next week.
Subaru has given few details on what to expect, however it claimed that “the newest seventh-generation model builds on 30 years of Subaru engineering to be the safest, most comfortable, most spacious, most advanced and best-driving ever”.
Two six second clips were published on Subaru of America’s Twitter and Facebook pages, giving a glimpse at the Japanese sedan’s silhouette and headlight signature, as well as its redesigned centre stack.
A new portrait-oriented infotainment display is shown, similar to those featured in Volvo’s model line-up, with what looks to be a touch-sensitive climate control unit in the lower section.
The exterior clip shows that the new-gen design is but a subtle departure from the current model, however the body lines are smoother with modernised touches, and the grille appears to take on a more rounded and pronounced shape.
Early last year, the Subaru Liberty received a mid-lift update which saw minor cosmetic tweaks and a lift to driver-assistance and comfort equipment.
Pricing stayed true at $30,240 plus on-road costs for the entry-level 2.5i up to $43,140 for the 3.6R.
It is unknown when the new Liberty will arrive in Australia, and what the line-up will look like, though it is expected to see significant updates to the chassis courtesy of its new SGP modular platform.
This means that improved handling and rigidity, new driver-assistance technologies, a lower weight and more-efficient engine options are a strong chance, and with electrified powertrains now at Subaru’s disposal, a hybrid Liberty could be on the cards.
Specifications and a closer-look will be available on February 7 when the new Liberty makes its public debut at the Chicago motor show.
Subaru Australia sold 1595 Liberty units last year, a 21.2 per cent drop compared to 2017. Meanwhile, the high-riding and mechanically related Outback wagon recorded 10,378 sales and the top-selling XV small SUV managed 12,937 sales.
