Subaru's Legendary Blitzen Coming to Oz

Motoring Channel Staff - 9/Feb/2006

Subaru unveiled the visually stunning limited edition Liberty Blitzen at Melbourne International Motor Show today, a dazzling take on the often understated luxury car.

Subaru explains that it uses striking styling cues from the Japanese domestic market Legacy Blitzen, which until now has never been available in Australia.

Driven by the same tuned 3.0-litre 6-cylinder boxer engine found in the Liberty 3.0R Spec.B, the Editor reckons it is a real goer (read his review here). The fuel injected flat 6-cylinder engine has a 3000cc capacity, dual overhead camshafts per cylinder bank and variable valve timing (VVT) and lift for good top end performance and frugal low end economy. 

The Liberty Blitzen makes 180kW @ 6600rpm and generates peak torque of 297kW @ 4200rpm and will hit 100km/h from standstill in under 7.0 seconds, while top speed is close to 250km/h. 

Nick Senior, the managing director of Subaru Australia, had this to say about the aptly named Blitzen: “For some years Subaru fans in Australia have followed the various Blitzen versions available in Japan.

“We’re delighted to reward their interest with this limited edition, prepared especially for the Australian market. Once again it demonstrates the high regard that Fuji Heavy Industries has for our Australian customers, tailoring a car especially for our domestic needs.

“It’s got tremendous road presence and combined with the highly acclaimed chassis set-up and engine of the Liberty 3.0R spec.B, we think there will be considerable interest.”

The Blitzen name comes from the German word for lightning; the vehicle combines the potent ability of the existing Liberty 3.0R spec.B with a long list of body and interior changes to produce a car with unique personality, one that Subaru expects will appeal to the enthusiast.

Available only two colours - bright red or obsidian black - the Blitzen gets a new aerodynamic package including front grille, front and rear bumpers, deeper side sills, a stylised roof spoiler on the wagon model and a set of very appealing 18-inch alloy wheels - underpinned by the safety of Subaru’s acclaimed All-Wheel Drive system. TheLiberty Blitzen’s sporty character is further highlighted by wider bumpers, flared sills and a honeycomb grille surrounded by bold silver trim.

Subaru says that it will import just 200 examples of the head-turning touring cars, in both automatic and manual transmission variants, sedan and wagon. The Liberty Blitzen is expected to be available to Australian customers from June 2006, for what Subaru calls a strictly limited period. No price has been supplied by Subaru at this stage, saying the price will be announced closer to the release date mid-year.

Standard Blitzen features include:

ABS Brakes with EBD

 Adjustable steering column

 Airbags – dual front side and curtain

Air-conditioning - climate control

All-Wheel Drive

Bilstein sports suspension

Cruise control

DataDot security system

Eight-way power driver and passenger seats

Electronic throttle control system

Leather steering wheel, gear shift & park brake

McIntosh premium audio system with 13 speakers – six stack in-dash CD player

Momo sports steering wheel

Power steering, mirrors and windows

Sportshift on automatic