Paris Preview: Subaru's Outback gets a facelift
Subaru is set to launch a freshened version of the Outback/Legacy model in Europe this fall, after its debut at the Paris Motor Show in September. A pre-show press release Friday gave us a first peek at the Outback, shown above.
The Outback and Legacy will showcase Subaru's new SI-DRIVE (Subaru Intelligent Drive) system, which the automaker displayed in the 2007 Legacy 2.5 GT spec.B at the New York Auto Show. SI-DRIVE controls the electronic throttle system response and fuel and ignition curves to modify the engine's performance characteristics, and allows the driver to select between three driving modes: Intelligent, Sport and Sport Sharp. (For full details, see our coverage of the Legacy 2.5 GT spec.B here.) SI-DRIVE will be available in European Outback/Legacy models equipped with a 3-liter engine.
Paris will also mark the European debut of the Subaru Tribeca crossover.
[Source: Subaru]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Jim 1:53PM (9/01/2006)
Judging by the grill, it's a Chrysler.
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jack_brack 1:58PM (9/01/2006)
blah...I liked the previous version more. But it's a moot point, cause we get that hideous bumper here in the US that ruins and smooth lines the front end has.
damn insurance companies!
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champcarfan 2:14PM (9/01/2006)
I like it. No flying vagina on this machine
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epiech 2:29PM (9/01/2006)
VW face with a Chrysler grill... not very original
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Jason 2:51PM (9/01/2006)
It's boring, but at least it's not WTF ugly.
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Hamud 2:54PM (9/01/2006)
I liked that, mainly the headlight design, kinda Passat-like.
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Erik 3:13PM (9/01/2006)
Jeez! How many more cars are going to get the droopy-eye treatment?? This has got to be #100. Not very original, but it is good looking, and def an improvment over the current face.
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kumar 11:47PM (9/01/2006)
Hmm...if memory serves (which it often doesn't), the outback had those front lights before the passat came out....2005 redesign vs. 2006 passat redesign.
The euro outback has a few legacy traits, like the roofrack and a few other cosmetic deals, so don't expect next year's ob to be just like the pics, but I will take those wheels thank you very much.
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Frank 3:25PM (9/01/2006)
Holly sh*t, almost not ugly! A baby step forward for Subaru.
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FenianEMT 3:30PM (9/01/2006)
So when do we get to see a 2007 Legacy or Outback here in the States?
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MikeW 4:12PM (9/01/2006)
How does Si-drive work on the non turbocharged engines.
Does 'intelligent' prevent the camswitching (subaru's system looks exactly like VarioCam plus) system from giving the engine the top end power?
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Cole 7:26PM (9/01/2006)
That's the best looking Scooby I've ever seen.
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Howard Kerr 3:50PM (9/01/2006)
I agree with Jim, a few more creases/lines added to the hood and with this grille it could pass for a Sebring wagon.
We used to berate the awful styling of Subarus...now that they look more like other cars, we still complain.
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cheezedog420 4:23PM (9/01/2006)
Ok, Subaru styaling is awful, and the quality of there cars is avrage. Great we know.
But its Subaru, and quite honestly, you come to expect this from Subaru. Sure the doors sound like a tin cans in a trash bag when they close. The Styaling looks like it was done by a disgruntled Disney animator.
But atleast unlike most other manufactures, Subaru relability, and performance is super. You don't buy a WRX because you want the world to know your in touch with your inner vagina. You buy it because its the only car you can buy with a 5 speed manual transmission, a turbocharged, a well placed intercooler, and one of the best damned AWD systems in the world for about $26000.
You just can't find a offer that good from anyone else. And it just keeps getting better becuase your buying a Subaru. Subarus don't suffer from Crankwalk like Mitsubishies. Subarus don't suffer from Electric fire hazzards like fords can. Subarus don't suffer weak cooling systems like Chryslers can. Subarus don't suffer from anything but eventualy what all cars surcume to, wear, tear, and rust!
Now in anycase, As much as I poke fun at other manufactures when they make styaling goofs up, But I don't hold Subaru to that same standard. Am I hipacritical, Sure call me it if you think It will hurt me.
But I Know Im not going to buy a Subaru because it looks preatty either. Im going to buy it because I want something thats faster then everything else for the money. I going to buy it because its the best damned deal I can find for the money. And Im going buy it, to own for no less then 10 years, or 300000 miles. (Which ever takes longer to reach.)
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Didier Torsten 4:40PM (9/01/2006)
OMG!! it has a grill! so its like, totally copying Ford/GM/Toyota/VW!!!! i can't believe its not butter!
god am i tired of hearing those type of comments.
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AMcA 7:02PM (9/01/2006)
At least they didn't use the urinal shaped corporate face grill.
And Cheezedog: Subaru quality is well above average. Ask JD Power. Or my Mom: her 6 year old Legacy, which she has beaten to hell, remains totaly solid. Almost indestructible.
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David F 4:51PM (9/01/2006)
The car is trying to seduce me with those bedroom eyes... can't... look away... must close.. internet.. ahhh!
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DKB_SATX 5:12PM (9/01/2006)
To the "droopy eyes" comments, those are essentially the same headlights the Legacy/Outback has had since '05. To the comment about the US bumper, the Legacy's bumper isn't wildly different from that. The Outback gets MegaBumper to butch it up so it looks more SUV. It also gets huge plastic cladding down the side (often in a contrasting color) so none of the other soccer moms will think you have a lowly station wagon.
SI Drive really just adjusts the throttle response (selecting different programs for the throttle-by-wire) so it gives you a smoother step-off in the boring setting, and probably makes it hard to launch without lurch in the "sport sharp" setting. According to some people who are already driving '07 GT/XT models, you get a little better gas mileage in boring mode because you really have to stand on it to make much power, so it doesn't sound like much fun.
The US Outback and Legacy have had different grilles in the current iteration, I hope they put a different grille on the Legacy than the one shown in the picture, I like mine much more than that.
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ahhh, that's better 11:44AM (9/02/2006)
There you go Subaru, was that so hard?
The propeller grille was a disaster. I'm glad to see reasonable, good looking front ends back.
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JS 8:17PM (9/01/2006)
Better than the last one and I like it...but I somehow feel as though subaru has lost its soul...
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