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By
EWAN KENNEDY
1 August 2005
The fourth-generation Subaru Liberty, successfully launched on the
Australian market in September 2003, has taken significant steps forward
in many important areas. In particular it made advances in overall
refinement, as well as in safety when compared to its honourable
ancestors. Most importantly of all in the minds of many potential
buyers, it took on an aura that was almost European in its connotations
of prestige.
Though similar in style to previous generations,
always a smart move if you want to hold on to satisfied owners of
the older models, there's just enough flair in the latest Liberty
to attract plenty of new buyers to the marque. Which is exactly
what has happened, it has been powering strongly along in the
sales race since its release. That success has been aided by a
succession of additional variants, particularly in forays into the
six-cylinder cylinder field for the first time.
Subaru’s previous Libertys have a reputation
for being solid, long lasting and reliable, so have gained
adherents among Australians living in both in the city and the
bush. The importer is keen to maintain this well-deserved
reputation at the same time as it expands into the prestige
market.
Cleverly, the Subaru engineers have taken some
weight out of the new model, by using some aluminium components
and refining the way the body and its underpinnings are shaped.
Adding strength and removing weight is one of the most difficult
of all engineering skills, the Subaru guys have done it extremely
well. Lower weight means the driver gets better performance and
lower fuel consumption at the same time.
Station wagons have always played a big part in
the Subaru Liberty lineup in Australia. Styling of the latest
wagon is, if anything, bolder than that of the latest sedan. Like
the sedan it has strong shoulders that give a rugged look.
However, the downward tapered roofline at the rear of the wagon is
very much in the latest European wagon mould.
This tapered shape maximises stability at speed,
something that’s probably only of interest to drivers in the
Northern Territory, though there will be some fuel saving even at
the low speeds permitted in other areas of Australia.
There are several very clever features in the
load area of the latest Liberty wagon. Such as a rack that’s
holds the luggage cover when it’s not in use and reflective
safety bands that add safety when the tailgate is open,
particularly at night.
The in-cabin layout of the Liberty is simple and
will appeal to the buyer more interested in function than
frivolity. Again, it’s stylish without being over the top and is
likely to remain simple and elegant as the years go by.
Initially, the latest Liberty was launched only
with four-cylinder engines, but flat-sixes joined the range in
August 2004. The latter, with a capacity of 3.0 litres, don’t
have a huge power advantage over the larger of the four-cylinder
units, which displace 2.5 litres. They do have exceptional
smoothness that adds a further air of class to these big Subarus.
Our test car was equipped with the 2.5-litre
four-cylinder powerplant, a unit that’s showing strong appeal to
a lot of buyers. It has strong mid-range torque and operates in
the manner owners have come to know and love in Subaru powerplants
over many years. A four-speed sequential automatic transmission
was installed on our car. There’s also a five-speed manual for
those who prefer to make their own decisions.
Liberty's fuel consumption around town was a
pleasing 11 to 13 litres per hundred kilometres, country driving
can easily see that drop below 10 litres per hundred. A manual
gearbox is likely to reduce consumption by a further five to seven
percent.
Comfort is excellent, wind and mechanical noise
are well insulated from the cabin and four adult passengers can
travel at ease in a refined environment. There is space for a
fifth adult in the rear, although it becomes on the tight side if
they are of much over average stature.
Liberty's handling is stable and very
predictable, even on rough Aussie bitumen and dirt roads it
retains its equanimity in conditions that might upset some other
imports from Japan.
Subaru Liberty has been a favourite with
Australian motorists virtually since day one and this latest model
not only continues its tradition of toughness, but also adds extra
refinement, and even puts a bit of character into the largest car
currently in the marque.
AT A GLANCE
MODEL RANGE
Liberty 2.0i 2.0-litre four-door sedan - $30,990
Liberty 2.0i 2.0-litre five-door wagon - $32,990
Liberty 2.5i 2.5-litre four-door sedan - $34,990
Liberty 2.5i 2.5-litre five-door wagon - $36,990
Liberty 2.5i Safety Pack 2.5-litre four-door sedan - $37,490
Liberty 2.5i Safety Pack 2.5-litre five-door wagon - $39,490
Liberty 2.5i Premium Pack 2.5-litre four-door sedan - $42,990
Liberty 2.5i Premium Pack 2.5-litre five-door wagon - $44,990
Liberty GT 2.0-litre four-door sedan - $52,990
Liberty GT 2.0-litre five-door wagon - $54,990
Liberty 3.0R 3.0-litre four-door sedan - $50,990
Liberty 3.0R 3.0-litre five-door wagon - $52,990
Liberty 3.0R-B 3.0-litre four-door sedan - $51,990
Liberty 3.0R-B 3.0-litre five-door wagon - $53,990
FEATURES
ABS Brakes: Standard on all models
Air Conditioning: Standard on all models
Automatic Transmission: Standard with Premium Pack and 3.0R, not
offered on 3.0R-B, $2500 option on all other models
CD Player: Standard on all models
Central Locking: Standard on all models
Cruise Control: Standard on all models
Driver Airbag: Standard on all models
Passenger Airbag: Standard on all models
Front Side Airbags: Standard on all models
SPECIFICATIONS (Subaru Liberty 2.5i 2.5-litre
four-door sedan)
ENGINE:
Capacity: 2.457 litres
Configuration: Four cylinders in line
Head Design: SOHC, four valves per cylinder
Compression Ratio: 10.0:1
Bore/Stroke: 99.5 x 79.0mm
Maximum Power: 121kW @ 5600rpm
Maximum Torque: 226Nm @ 4400rpm
DRIVELINE:
Driven Wheels: All-wheel drive
Manual Transmission: Five-speed
Automatic Transmission: Four-speed
Final Drive Ratio: 4.111:1
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 4665mm
Wheelbase: 2670mm
Width: 1730mm
Height: 1425mm
Turning Circle: 10.8 metres
Kerb Mass: 1365kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 64 litres
Towing Ability: 710kg (1500kg with braked trailer)
SUSPENSION AND BRAKES:
Front Suspension: Independent, MacPherson struts, coil springs
Rear Suspension: Independent, multi-link, coil springs
Front Brakes: Ventilated Disc
Rear Brakes: Ventilated Disc
PERFORMANCE:
0-100 km/h Acceleration: 9.3 secs
Standing 400 Metres: 16.8 secs
FUEL CONSUMPTION:
City Cycle: 11.6 L/100km
Highway Cycle: 8.2 L/100km
STANDARD WARRANTY:
Three years/unlimited km
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Marque Publishing Company
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