Subaru Outback test drive since 2009

Subaru Outback 3.0r

When the first outback debuted in 1997, it seems that the crossover did not exist yet. Now it is precisely it is used by Subaru representatives, describing a completely new outback.
 
In the automobile world, Subaru occupies a special place. Under this brand, about 400 thousand cars per year are produced. The company was able not only to safely survive the restless for the entire auto industry for the last decade, but also to offer a number of interesting models during this time. And some of them rightfully entered the Golden Fund of automobile history. These, of course, include both the legendary turbovers of the IMPREZA model and Forester and Outback, which finally destroyed hard division into cars and SUVs.
 
Now, after almost seven years since the debut of Outback, it seems to us obvious that this model was created in Subaru. The company, for many years, stubbornly promoting the idea of \u200b\u200ball-wheel drive transmission on cars and at the same time avoiding the SUV market, sooner or later had to do something similar. Fortunately for everyone, that outback came out just in time. Many countries of the world were only covered by fashion for SUVs, and, above all, adapted to the city. Already after Outback, other models have appeared, also operating the image of an all -hearted passenger car. And first of all, Volvo XC70 and Audi Allroad. But Outback was not lost against the backdrop of competitors and for its owners became almost the only suitable car. Since the fall of 2003, a new generation of Legacy was debuted in the European market, which, as before, includes a sedan, station wagon and flagship outback. We especially note that although the official European premiere of cars took place back in September at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the start of sales in Russia and Germany coincided in time.
 
Fresh image
For the first acquaintance with the new LEGACY generation, we chose outback in the most possible configuration. We will not get involved in the eternal dispute of Subaru fans about whether Outback should be considered a separate model in the company's program or just another version of Legacy. Now it is much more important for us to live lively and feel all those changes that are distinguished by the new Legacy and Outback from the previous generation.
 
At first glance, the appearance of the car remained quite familiar. Obviously, Subaru preferred a conservative approach to styling in the best British traditions. The principle of preserving the most striking features and general proportions of the familiar predecessor in the novelty was used both in the Land Rover Discovery and in the iconic Jaguar XJ for the new millennium. Like these models, the new Subaru is not striking with random onlooks with its novelty, but attracts the attention of real connoisseurs and fans of the car. But it was the novelty from Subaru that took the biggest step forward in its appearance.
 
The design of the former Legacy was functional, but rustic and bored by European standards. This consistent with the mood of Japanese manufacturers, but did not meet the preferences of potential buyers. Models such as Toyota Camry and Nissan Maxima were generally ignored in Europe, Legacy was able to achieve recognition, and solely due to its technical filling. It is no secret that most Japanese manufacturers dream of positioning their cars as competitors to Audi and BMW models. And significantly successful as the assembly and improvement of mechanical nodes, they finally began to pay due attention and less obvious things such as the perception of the appearance of the car. In this, the creators of the new Outback have advanced significantly. Our Outback looked more interesting, solid and even more expensive than his direct predecessor at dealer parking.
 
Most importantly, Outback’s design has become more emotional and incendiary, we have not just a workhorse, but a universal car for outdoor activities and pastime. Moreover, now this concept includes not only the assault on off -road tracks, but also a speed riding on asphalt roads. In the details of the plastic body kit and lateral moldings, elegance was replaced by brutality. And the most characteristic elements with off -road ideology were the muscular lower parts of the bumper that perform a protective function. Outback, the rest has become more modern, civilized and, if you want, secular. At the same time, the designers paid tribute to all the now fashionable details of the design: the LED repeater of the rotation indicators appeared in the body of the side mirrors, the headlight of the headlights was made transparent, without light flasks, and even the rear lights turned out to be more aggressive. An additional intrigue is created by an impressive pair of exhaust rods of a solid caliber under the rear bumper.
 
Style and ergonomics
But the salon will please future owners even more. Here progress is even more obvious. Actually, it was difficult to find fault with the landing and interior Outback of the previous generation. Thanks to the wheelbase of 2650 mm, passengers of both front and rear seats were quite comfortable. Therefore, all the new generation Legacy, although grew up in size, but not as significant as their classmates. The wheelbase increased by 20 mm, width by 25 mm. Of course, it will be difficult to feel such a win.
 
But from the very first moment, Outback captivates the design of the interior. Like everything: the location of the main control units, and design, and materials. Cheap plastic does not catch your eye, the panels have become softer and pleasant to the touch. As the creators of the machine admit, they selected all the materials after a thorough study of the best European models.
In fact, all the internal details of the cabin are re -created. At the same time, a more sports style of design was chosen. All of the new seats of a characteristic form with a pronounced side support to the central console should encourage to take a more active life position and, probably, provoke more bold driving. One can only be surprised how it was possible to place on a convenient and small steering wheel from the MOMO button of the audio control button. A lot of interesting surprises have been prepared in the cabin. When turning the key in the ignition lock, the red arrows on the dials of the instrument panels deviate welcome to the side, and then return to the starting positions, and only then the already full -fledged electro -luminous illumination of the entire panel is turned on. True, we can recall that something similar, but in a simplified form has already been done on the new Honda Accord.
 
The central console has received a silver design for titanium today. The management of the audio system and climate control, united in traditional blocks, is simply and logical. It remains only to regret that cars with the navigation system are still not supplied to Russia. Indeed, in European versions, its screen is also used as a display of the on -board computer, which displays a variety of information, including such as the value of current acceleration as a percentage of the maximum possible. On our car, on the site of this system, there was another additional glove compartment.
 
Absolute confidence
The first minutes of the trip to Outback once again confirmed the highest professional level of Subaru technical specialists. The car showed a behavior close to the ideal on the road. It is no coincidence that in the preparation of a new generation, almost all the nodes of his predecessor were revised and processing. The only brief list of actions that the company was resorted to in order to make their cars even better: the engine power, new gearboxes appeared, the track of the front and rear wheels, the center of gravity has increased, the center of gravity has increased, about 50 kg decreased, the mass decreased. And, nice, these advantages of the new items appear immediately.
 
On the flagship versions of Legacy and Outback, a seriously redesigned 3-liter engine is installed. Its power is 245 hp. at 6600 rpm. It was precisely these versions with index 3.0R in the name that received a new automatic 5-band gearbox. Her work can be called good, but not perfect. By the speed of reactions, smoothness and predictability of switches, it is inferior to the latest 6-band aggregates of German top models. But this is not scary, because if necessary, you can always resort to manual selection of programs. And there is no doubt that Outback can accelerate to 100 km/h from the place for incomplete 9 C and easily overcome the treasured mark of 200 km/h. Opposite 6-cylinder motor still pleases with smoothness and elasticity. But his voice became more quiet and noble thanks to the installation of a new graduation collector.
 
But large Subaru models still love first of all not for dynamic characteristics. A much stronger impression leaves a confident flight at Outback on a slippery and not very flat road at high speed. This is truly indescribable sensations. It begins that for Outback, in principle, it doesn’t matter whether we are now going at a speed of 80, 110 or 150 km/h. Its four wheels are strikingly tenacious by the roadway, inspiring absolute confidence, and not so much in their own strengths and reflexes, but in the car itself. So you can sincerely thank the creators of branded systems of all -wheel drive and electronic stabilization SVDC. No wonder they themselves call the symmetrical AWD system natural. Here, each component of its opposition engine, which in itself is characterized by a low center of gravity, transmission, gearbox and rear differential are located along the central axis of the car. This provides a neutral balance and close to optimal weighting the axes. And the SVDC stabilization system in its latest version even more clearly and accurately monitors the car course, not allowing it to break off the selected trajectory in difficult conditions.
 
The suspension is also good. For the first time for Outback, 17-inch wheels were offered. They not only look spectacular, but also in combination with the dimensions of 215/55 made management more informative. But at the same time, excessive rigidity of the suspension is not felt. The quality of her work was noted by our acquaintance, who was traveling after us: on an uneven road, even when driving potholes and transverse seams at speed, the rear wheels Outback always remained in contact with asphalt. Previously, he saw such behavior only in the performance of German top sedans with pneumatic suspension.
We did not storm the serious off -road on the first copy of the new outback in Russia. Obviously, the AWD and clearance of 20 cm allow the driver of this machine to feel confident on the country road, but we do not recommend conquering unknown forest areas on Outback. Let's not forget that for this there are classic SUVs of the Nissan Patrol and Toyota Land Cruiser class.
 
A declaration of ambitions
The new Legacy and Outback make an application to win serious positions in the middle class. According to the image and decoration of the salon, they approached the best models of this class, retaining their traditional technical trump cards. The new Outback is also a very attractive alternative to SUVs for daily operation. And here there is no doubt that you will get much more pleasure from driving ..
 
Some technical characteristics of Subaru Outback 3.0r
(manufacturer data)
Dimensions, mm 4730x1770x1545
Base, mm 2670
Front/behind, mm 1495/1485
Clerence 200
The lugger volume min/max, l 459/1649
Equipped mass, kg 1570
Engine type gasoline 6-cylinder
Opposite
Working volume, cubic meter. cm 3000
Max. Power, L.S./rpm 245/6600
Max. moment, nm/rpm 297/4200
The drive is complete
The transmission is automatic 5-band
Tires 215/55 R17
Max. Speed, km/h 224
Acceleration time 0-100 km, from 8.5
Fuel consumption (city/highway), l/100 km 13.4/7.6
Tank volume, l 64
 
Fedor Oldin
Photo by Alexander Vasiliev

 
 
 
 

Source: Avtopanorama magazine