Sat-nav, reverse camera for Subaru Outback

SUBARU Australia has followed up its recent Liberty range upgrade with similar equipment enhancements and price adjustments to its related Outback crossover line-up, including the addition of advanced EyeSight driver safety assist technology on its top-most model.

Satellite navigation and a reversing camera are now standard fare on the entry-level Outback 2.5i, along with USB connectivity, yet the price has been cut by $1000, to $37,490 for the manual ($39,490 for the CVT automatic).

Subaru claims the added gear represents $2500 of added value.

The Outback 2.5i Premium also gets the sat-nav and reversing camera combo, although the price of this model heads in the other direction, up $1000 to $42,990 for the manual version (add $2000 for the CVT auto).

While the 3.6-litre Outback R has been dropped from the range, the flagship 3.6 R Premium gains Subaru’s pioneering EyeSight driver assist technology, along with a $1500 price rise to $57,490.

This technology, which made its Australian debut on the Liberty this month, uses a pair of cameras mounted either side of the rear view mirror behind the windscreen to detect potential hazards and actively assist drivers to avoid frontal collisions, lane drifting and low speed impacts.

It can ‘lock on’ to vehicles directly in front and, when used together with adaptive cruise control, can slow, stop and accelerate to maintain a safe distance.

Left: Subaru EyeSight cameras.

The system includes a lane departure warning and a form of driver fatigue alert that sounds a warning when the car begins to sway.

All Outbacks are now equipped with a full-sized alloy spare wheel, replacing the temporary spare across the range.

The two diesel variants get price increases, with the 2.0D up $500 to $40,990, and the 2.0D Premium jumping $3000, to $46,990.

Subaru Australia managing director Nick Senior said Outback’s status and success as the original cross-over wagon were built on its ever-evolving capability.

“These latest changes again prove our commitment to comprehensive specification and value, all wrapped in the reassurance of five-star safety and genuine all-wheel drive capability,” he said.

“Every Outback now has a reversing camera, while at the top of the range, EyeSight again underlines Subaru’s strength in spearheading affordable safety.

“Then there’s the efficiency of our diesels, which in independent testing are easily capable of passing 1000 kilometres from a 65 litre fuel tank, which is incredibly frugal.

“Outback continues to pioneer and build on its rock solid credentials for durability, safety, flexibility and resale value.” In 2011, Subaru Outback sales have declined 16.2 per cent, to 4467 vehicles to the end of November, in a market segment up 4.6 per cent.

Subaru Outback rangepricing (before on-roads):
2.5i	$37,490 (-$1000)
2.5i (a)	$39,490 (-$1000)
2.5i Premium	$42,990 (+$1000)
2.5i Premium (a)	$$44,990 (+$1000)
2.0D	$40,990(+$500)
2.0D Premium	$46,990 (+$3000)
3.6 R Premium (a)	$$57,490 (+$1500)