Subaru Outback test drive since 2009
New Subaru outback
Subaru rolled us around Germany on an updated outback, but in Russia it will be a little different. Allen Carr has released several useful books on how to quit drinking, smoking and eating. I read all of them, and I almost managed to follow his advice. The new Subaru outback said that this is only the beginning. It turns out that you can still do without enthusiasm, fire and low transmission.
Got lost in the gloomy forest
Why arrange a presentation in Germany? Narrow serpentin -like suburban highways are replaced by straight high -speed highways. There is nowhere to feel the advantages of an all -wheel drive station wagon. Then he loses to any VW. Sandy, gravel, forest paths somewhere near Seliger or on Ladog here is a place for the Subaru test drive. Here you can squeeze the last drops from a loud all -wheel drive brand. But instead, we will iron the German hinterland, shoving the sides of the peaceful Germans. Although they are not a mistake, especially German truckers, when they call on serpentines on their trucks. You can disperse with them only in reverse, backing to the nearest reversal site.
The first I got the most expensive version of the Subaru Outback with a six -cylinder engine of 3.6 liters (249 hp). Alas, regardless of power, this is an ordinary family-household wagon, only with a road clearance of 213 mm. The finish is not as simple as in Forester, there are inserts from soft plastic, and the ducts are correctly spaced on the sides of the central console of the eyes. Compared to the old Outback model, it has become more spacious: the trunk is wider and higher, the cabin is more voluminous, the space between the seats has been expanded, and the seats themselves are now larger and more comfortable. Even in Subaru, a new light compact variator was developed and finally they began to use a subframe, due to which they reduced vibrations on the body. There is nothing more to say. Unless the pocket of any door contains a plastic bottle with a volume of 0.5 liter ...
While other automobile brands are frantically clutching individuality, they are looking for a chip, Subaru has tried to get lost in a gloomy forest in recent years. Become indistinguishable from other Japanese brands. Suppose the buyer was going to the salon for Nissan and chopped it down on the road to Subaru. What is the difference to him? A tricky move to increase sales. Overdid it. Now they have a different problem: how to conduct presentations? The test drive is based on emotions (otherwise it would be possible to simply print press releases), and having traveled along European paths on the current hopeless-family outback, it is impossible to compose anything invigorating. Unless it flies in Sport, but it is better to take Legacy or Impreza for racing. And in general, Outback is interesting for us off -road qualities. Therefore, I intensely waited for a version with a two -liter four -cylinder opposition diesel, which issues 350 Nm of the moment. It must be incredibly interesting, Savva Safonov in Moscow told me, be sure to ride! And finally, the keys to the opposition on black fuel in our hands. A colleague from a passenger edition is the first to drive. I am sitting in the passenger seat and in a minute I will bombard it with questions. Well, what, what? You know, the steering wheel is not as empty as 3.6 liters. It's all? He breaks well from the bottom, but does not pull above, I move to the second all the time. Twenty kilometers later I get behind the wheel, and everything is confirmed. There are no miracles. Two -liter diesel is small for Outback. On a winding highway with changes, tirelessly wielding a manual transmission, you feel it especially clearly. By the way, the combinations of the diesel automatic manufacturer do not offer such outback, probably would be too leisurely. Perhaps the diesel opposition rehabilitates itself outside the roads, but so far I have only the impressions described above.
Variator vivacity The diesel version will not be supplied to Russia yet: now the Japanese are checking our diesel fuel. So far, only two versions 3.6 liters and 2.5 liters are laid for us. The first with a five -speed automatic, the second with a variator or a six -speed manual transmission. The variator, by the way, goes well with a reserved engine developing 167 liters. With. At 5600 revolutions. Transfer to such an apparatus after a diesel engine, I felt much better: encouraged by a characteristic variator buzzing, we went more fun and even in accordance with the regulations for a short time we drove on a piece of German off -road. We found out that there are enough road clearance and electronic assistants work, they can handle the wheels.
Subaru traditionally set several types of all -wheel drive. On models 2.5 and 2.0 D with manual transmission6, a mechanical interdosseous differential based on conical gears with a basic distribution of torque 50:50. It is supplemented by a WISK MUFTA, which, if necessary, adjusts the distribution of power flow. On model 2.5 with the variator, the role of the central differential is played by a multi -disc couple with electronic control. And on the most powerful version of 3.6 l with automatic transmission 5 is a mechanical planetary inter -beard differential (basic distribution along the axes of 45:55). And, most importantly, now there is no reduced transmission with the manual transmission. True, she was only 1: 1.5, but still. Well, at least, there is a partial shutdown of the stabilization system and an anti -leaving brake to move on the rise.
Everything is clear with the units. But what are the impressions of the chassis? How does the suspension behave? Here you have to keep silent. Especially for Russia, given the state of our roads, Subaru came up with special suspension settings that they did not give us to try. We went on European versions. They behave relatively collected, they roll little, react slightly to defects in the canvas, but the steering wheel is quite empty, especially on version 3.6 liters, most likely due to the innovation of the electric power.
I change to a crossover Today in Russia, Subaru Outback is sold worse than another station wagon of increased cross -country ability Volvo XC70. This is despite the fact that the Swede is noticeably more expensive. However, a new one with a 2.5 liter engine is asked from 1,363,500 rubles, and with a 3.6 liter engine, two million are already. If you spit on the idea of \u200b\u200bthe station wagon with its enlarged rear overhang and focus on ordinary crossovers, then in this price niche the sentences cannot be counted. Not to mention special offers for all sorts of last year's remnants, of which, judging by the volume of advertising, there are still many more. In addition, the crossover has a more advantage in the geometric parameters, and to buy an all -wheel drive with a cargo back, you still need to look for good bases.
I hope we will meet with the new Outback in the suburbs. We will test the specific settings selected for Russia. Perhaps in our open spaces Subaru will look more fervent than in Germany, where every turn declares: maybe better VW or BMW?
Author: Dmitry Leontyev, photo Subaru
A source: Magazine 4x4 [November /2009]
