By EWAN KENNEDY 
11 September 2006

In a fascinating technical move, Subaru has given the topline models in the Liberty and Outback ranges intelligent new engines. Intelligent in that they can operate in three distinctly different modes, offering the car owner a choice of fuel economy, plenty of performance – or somewhere in between.

This choice of modes is offered in the new four-cylinder 2.5-litre turbo engine that’s used in the reintroduced Liberty GT, and also in the flat-six 3.0-litre boxer unit.

Using a newly developed computer system called SI-Drive (SI for Subaru Intelligence) the engines are not only tuned to produce less power in economy mode, but also have softer throttle movements to further reduce fuel use. Subaru calls this the ‘Intelligent’ mode and it’s achieved simply by pushing down a button on the centre console.

If the button had been engaged when the ignition was switched off, the engine automatically goes into economy mode when it’s restarted. In other words the car can be left in economy all the time.

Turning the SI-Drive button clockwise puts the engines into full-power mode, with sharp throttle actions. This is tagged as the ‘Sport #’ mode. With ‘#’ being used in its musical connotation, meaning sharp, rather than standing for ‘number’. Thus the engine is giving ‘Sports Sharp’ performance.

An anti-clockwise motion of the button gives you an intermediate setting called ‘Sport’. Like the economy (Intelligent) mode, Sport is automatically engaged if it was in use when the ignition was turned off.

There are readouts on the dashboard to tell you which engine mode you have chosen.

When an automatic transmission is specified, the SI-Drive also alters the gearshifts – making them softer and more comfortable in the fuel economy position and sharper in the Sports modes.

From the driver’s seat everything is simpler than it sounds and it all works remarkably well. We have tested both the turbo engine and the flat-six unit and can report that there's a significantly different feel in each of the engine/transmission modes.

Strong performance is obviously there for the asking in Sports Sharp, but even in the Intelligent (economy) setting few owners will complain about the way the new Subaru engine reacts.

Should you have the engine in its economy setting and need power suddenly, perhaps to overtake, there's also a large button on the steering wheel that gives you Sports Sharp immediately. That’s in addition to the three-way mode selector on centre console.

Clever programming means that Subaru's SI-Drive doesn’t try to out think the driver, rather you are expected to work alongside the engines to get the best economy or performance from them. So Subaru says that SI can also mean ‘Shared Intelligence’.

An economy gauge and suggestions about gear shifts in the manual models assist the driver in doing their part to get the best economy and lowest emissions from the engines.

As well as these clever new engines, the Subaru Liberty and Outback models have received a solid facelift. Every visible component forward of the windscreen has been changed and the new design of front guards and bonnet give the cars a sharper appearance.

These design changes are tied with a number of different designs of radiator grilles. These are distinctive and work well with the character of the individual Liberty and Outback models.

Changes to the interior also bring these Subaru models up to date as part of their mid-life makeover. There are new trim designs and colours, as well as changes to the styling of the dashboard, steering wheel and centre console. Most noticeably, all models now have a four-way adjustable steering column. That is, it can be moved in an out, as well as up and down.

Last, but certainly not least, Subaru has revised the prices of its Liberty and Outback ranges. Significant price drops, by as much as 3.8 per cent on cars with the 2.5i engine, make it easier to own cars that already have an outstanding reputation for resale value.

The 2007 Liberty and Outback range with prices (MY2006 prices in brackets), excluding on-road costs, is:
Liberty 2.0R manual sedan: $31,990 ($31,990)
Liberty 2.0R automatic sedan: $33,990 ($33,990)
Liberty 2.0R manual wagon: $33,990 ($33,990)
Liberty 2.0R automatic wagon: $35,990 ($35,990
Liberty 2.5I manual sedan $34,990: ($35,990)
Liberty 2.5I automatic sedan $36,990: ($38,490)
Liberty 2.5I manual wagon $36,990: ($37,990)
Liberty 2.5I automatic wagon $38,990: ($40,490)
Liberty 2.5i Premium automatic sedan: $41,490 ($42,990)
Liberty 2.5i Premium automatic wagon: $43,490 ($44,990)
Liberty 3.0R automatic sedan: $50,990 ($50,990)
Liberty 3.0R automatic wagon: $52,990 ($52,990)
Liberty 3.0R Spec.B manual sedan: $52,490 ($51,990)
Liberty 3.0R spec.B automatic sedan: $52,490 ($50,990)
Liberty 3.0R spec.B manual wagon: $54,490 ($53,990)
Liberty 3.0R spec.B automatic wagon: $54,490 ($52,990)
Liberty GT automatic sedan - VDC: $54,490 (new model)
Liberty GT automatic wagon - VDC: $56,490 (new model)
Liberty GT spec.B manual sedan: $55,990 (new model)
Liberty GT spec.B automatic sedan: $55,990 (new model)
Liberty GT spec.B manual wagon: $57,990 (new model)
Liberty GT spec.B automatic wagon: $57,990 (new model)
Outback 2.5i manual: $36,990 ($37,990)
Outback 2.5i automatic: $38,990 ($40,490)
Outback 2.5i Premium manual: $42,490 ($43,990
Outback 2.5i Premium automatic: $44,490 ($46,490)
Outback 3.0R automatic: $46,990 ($46,490)
Outback 3.0R Premium automatic: $52,990 ($53,490)