2010 Subaru Liberty: First Look

Motoring Channel Staff - 22/May/2009

Tokyo, Japan – We've already had a sneak peek at the American version of the new Liberty (aka Legacy) and now the wraps have come off the Japanese model which will be sold in Australia later in the year.

Subaru has yet to put a price on the new fifth generation Liberty models, but it will be on sale in Australia from September in both sedan and wagon body styles.

According to Subaru, the new model is packed with new technologies, more interior space and improved safety systems.

The engine range hasn't been revealed for Australia yet but new Lineartronic CVT auto gearboxes will be added along 6-speed manual transmissions.

The 2.5-litre 4-cylinder boxer engines are expected to return for active duty and a powerful new 3.6-litre 6-cylinder horizontally opposed boxer engine outputting between 180 and 190 kilowatts of power will be offered as well. 

Furthermore, Subaru also plans on launching the 6-speed manual Outback diesel in November which is expected to ignite new interest in the Subaru range. 

People who do lots of towing will now have a more logical choice in the Outback range thanks to the world's first horizontally opposed diesel engine.

As the Japanese photos show, the all-new B4 high performance model has made a comeback complete with a turbocharged boxer engine and trademark hood scoop, but it's not clear whether this version will be imported to Australia.

The design of the new model is less conservative than previously, with boldly flared wheel arches and larger headlight clusters, but the new model still appears to retains a semblance of luxury.

Viewed from the front, the new 2010 Subaru Liberty's headlights look a bit strange but overall the front end is a good mixture of class and sports, which is essentially what the vehicle is aiming for.

The side profile is more appealing than the previous model, with a low-to-ground look and a high shoulder line that pushes up the chrome-girded side windows.

But it's the rear end that is probably the best aspect of the design, as the newly drawn brake lights finally give the Liberty the prestigious image it's been searching for over the past decade.

Some of the features of the new Subaru Liberty include the "ultra efficient" Lineartonic CVT (constantly variable transmission), rain sensing windscreen wipers, auto on/off headlights and plenty of luxury.

There will be a push-button start for high-end models and a reversing camera with factory-fitted SatNav will also be available on the new Liberty.

Safety has always been a big deal for Subaru and the company expects the new models to be awarded 'strong' 5-star ANCAP safety ratings.

Things like knee airbags have been added, and the engine cradle now folds to isolate the block from the cabin in heavy collisions.

The managing director of Subaru Australia, Nick Senior, is very upbeat about the new models: "New Liberty and Outback are stronger, more spacious and even safer than the current cars.

"They also adopt the Subaru Dynamic Chassis Concept that's been so successfully applied to new generation Impreza and Forester, producing a great drive. Both models have proved their customer appeal by achieving record sales," said Mr Senior.

All of the new models feature AWD as standard and this is the first all-new Liberty and Outback in almost seven years. The previous fourth generation Liberty and Outback were first released in 2003.

"The FHI engineers have again achieved a clever balance of enhanced fuel efficiency in larger and safer cars that have a longer standard features list than ever.

"Liberty and Outback will build strongly on the respected records of the current cars, at the same time maintaining the fun driving that’s at the heart of every Subaru."

The new generation 2010 Subaru Liberty will arrive in Australia in September, and the price points will be announced shortly before.

Related Links:
- Subaru Legacy (2010)
- Subaru Legacy Concept (2009)
- Subaru Liberty GT Spec.B - Tuned by STI (Road Test)
- Subaru WRX STI 20th Anniversary (2009)
- Subaru Impreza WRX (2009)
- Subaru Impreza Sedan (2009)
- Subaru Forester Diesel (2009)
- Subaru Forester (Road Test)
- Subaru Impreza WRX STI (Road Test)
- Subaru Exiga (2008)
- Subaru Impreza WRX (Road Test)
- Subaru Forester XT (Road Test)
- Subaru Tribeca (2008)
- Subaru Impreza World Rally Car (2008)