Legacy, Outback fast-tracked to NZ
July 03, 2009
A strengthened Yen has allowed Subaru to tell a good news tale for pricing of its latest-generation Legacy and Outback cars.
Massive increases feared two months ago when the NZ dollar to Japanese Yen rate was at a low have become modest ones, with the new models now generally costing around $2000 more than the old range equivalents.
That's a bonus, given that the next-gen car, which we've now seen and sat in, is quite a bit larger, smarter-looking and better specified - with more gadgets, most run by an LCD touch screen, and enhanced safety features.
Yahoo!Xtra has gained exclusive access to a price list released yesterday that shows even the diesel variants carry an acceptable premium over the petrols, around $4000 to $4500.
This means the entry Legacy sedan, the Sport, with a six-speed manual gearbox driving through a 125kW/230Nm four-cylinder 2.5-litre will open the range for $41,490, while the dearest - the GT (Spec B) Premium with a turbocharged 197kW/350Nm 2.5, will cost $65,990. There are 11 Legacy sedans.
The 10 wagon versions start at $42,990 and top out at $67,990 in GT form.
The high-riding, soft-roader Outbacks start at $48,990 (2.5-litre Sport manual) and top at $59,990, for the Premium with a 3.6-litre flat six creating 187kW and 335Nm and drives though a five-speed auto. The powerplant is from the $69,990 seven-seater Tribeca SUV.
The pricing strategy will surely a big relief to dealers, and to the franchise holder, Auckland-based Subaru New Zealand.
Several months ago it contemplated dropping the diesel altogether, having been warned by the factory that the new models would cost up to $10,000 more than the diesel versions of the outgoing cars it introduced late last year as market-testers.
Now it has stuck with the well-received, torque-rich 2.0-litre oiler - to the extent that it'll be in the Forester as well as the Legacy and Outback.
Releasing prices to dealers yesterday might seem premature - Subaru NZ won't receive export examples until September.
However, the rationale for the plan becomes clear when you take a peek - as we did - in the back of your local dealership. There you'll find three 'world premium editions' now available for purchase.
These are Japan-market cars, four 2.5-litre models with the brand's new third option transmission - a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that marries into the brand's trademark constant four-wheel-drive system. It's a world-first achievement.
Designated WPE (for world production edition), the domestic spec cars have allowed in under a special deal to meet short-term demand, resultant from stocks of previous generation cars now having been exhausted. (The last outgoing versions disappeared from showrooms last month).
The 2.5-litre new-generation cars are all in Spec B trim, and range from a Legacy sedan for $49,490, a wagon at $50,990 and two Outbacks, the $48,990 Sport and $54,990 Premium.
The Japan market cars are identical in exterior styling and mechanical detail to the export models being 'launched' in September, but differ within the cockpit.
Some details - push-button start being one - might reach the high-end export versions, but might not get to the entry cars. The WPE models will be discontinued here from September.
The diesel editions of the Forester and new-generation Legacy and Outback are European specification cars, so are all manuals - but now the 110kW/350Nm engine pulls through a six-speed. The shipment of 120 diesel Legacy and Outback cars that Subaru briefly had on sale from late last year had a five-speed box.
The Forester diesel, which comes into showrooms in August, will cost $45,990. Oiler versions of the Legacy sedan and wagon respectively carry tags of $48,990 and $50,490, while the Outback is a $52,990 proposition. The average fuel economy is around 5.8 litres per 100km.
There'll be no problem picking out the new models. They're easily larger than the old car, and have a stronger look from every angle. The huge headlights are a fresh design signature; note also the new grille with more prominent, centred badge, larger flared guards and different bonnet creases. The rear tail-lights have also been redesigned as has the rear boot lid.
The new cars are all longer and wider than the old models. They all have all-wheel-drive and come with stability control and an electronic hill holder system. Six airbags are standard. Subaru has replaced the current active head rests with high-strength front seat frames to further protect against whiplash injury in a rear-end collision.
Now in its fourth generation, the Outback is particularly striking. It is 70mm-longer and 105mm taller than the previous car, and has better ground clearance (220mm now). Though it is 20mm shorter overall, the cabin is more generously-sized. Rear-seat legroom has been stretched by 10cm, which resolves the old model's rather cramped rear cabin.
Subaru says the new double-wishbone rear suspension sharpens the dynamics and increases rear cargo space by 167 litres. The rear seats fold easily, just pull triggers in the boot - a trick first seen in the old Mazda6 wagon.
There are also new headlights and tail-lights, and a new roof-rail design that stows the crossbars in the longitudinal rails when not in use.
Inside, there is a new instrument panel with four aluminium meter rings, a new centre console and an information display screen in the centre of the dash. Bluetooth is standard fare and, at long last, Subaru is to offer sat-nav as an option.
The recommended retails increase by around $1000 if customers opt for a three-year service plan and Subaru NZ is heding its bets, notifying the prices are effective from now until August 31.
What this means to you: Good price for what looks like a good car.
Massive increases feared two months ago when the NZ dollar to Japanese Yen rate was at a low have become modest ones, with the new models now generally costing around $2000 more than the old range equivalents.
That's a bonus, given that the next-gen car, which we've now seen and sat in, is quite a bit larger, smarter-looking and better specified - with more gadgets, most run by an LCD touch screen, and enhanced safety features.
Yahoo!Xtra has gained exclusive access to a price list released yesterday that shows even the diesel variants carry an acceptable premium over the petrols, around $4000 to $4500.
This means the entry Legacy sedan, the Sport, with a six-speed manual gearbox driving through a 125kW/230Nm four-cylinder 2.5-litre will open the range for $41,490, while the dearest - the GT (Spec B) Premium with a turbocharged 197kW/350Nm 2.5, will cost $65,990. There are 11 Legacy sedans.
The 10 wagon versions start at $42,990 and top out at $67,990 in GT form.
The high-riding, soft-roader Outbacks start at $48,990 (2.5-litre Sport manual) and top at $59,990, for the Premium with a 3.6-litre flat six creating 187kW and 335Nm and drives though a five-speed auto. The powerplant is from the $69,990 seven-seater Tribeca SUV.
The pricing strategy will surely a big relief to dealers, and to the franchise holder, Auckland-based Subaru New Zealand.
Several months ago it contemplated dropping the diesel altogether, having been warned by the factory that the new models would cost up to $10,000 more than the diesel versions of the outgoing cars it introduced late last year as market-testers.
Now it has stuck with the well-received, torque-rich 2.0-litre oiler - to the extent that it'll be in the Forester as well as the Legacy and Outback.
Releasing prices to dealers yesterday might seem premature - Subaru NZ won't receive export examples until September.
However, the rationale for the plan becomes clear when you take a peek - as we did - in the back of your local dealership. There you'll find three 'world premium editions' now available for purchase.
These are Japan-market cars, four 2.5-litre models with the brand's new third option transmission - a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that marries into the brand's trademark constant four-wheel-drive system. It's a world-first achievement.
Designated WPE (for world production edition), the domestic spec cars have allowed in under a special deal to meet short-term demand, resultant from stocks of previous generation cars now having been exhausted. (The last outgoing versions disappeared from showrooms last month).
The 2.5-litre new-generation cars are all in Spec B trim, and range from a Legacy sedan for $49,490, a wagon at $50,990 and two Outbacks, the $48,990 Sport and $54,990 Premium.
The Japan market cars are identical in exterior styling and mechanical detail to the export models being 'launched' in September, but differ within the cockpit.
Some details - push-button start being one - might reach the high-end export versions, but might not get to the entry cars. The WPE models will be discontinued here from September.
The diesel editions of the Forester and new-generation Legacy and Outback are European specification cars, so are all manuals - but now the 110kW/350Nm engine pulls through a six-speed. The shipment of 120 diesel Legacy and Outback cars that Subaru briefly had on sale from late last year had a five-speed box.
The Forester diesel, which comes into showrooms in August, will cost $45,990. Oiler versions of the Legacy sedan and wagon respectively carry tags of $48,990 and $50,490, while the Outback is a $52,990 proposition. The average fuel economy is around 5.8 litres per 100km.
There'll be no problem picking out the new models. They're easily larger than the old car, and have a stronger look from every angle. The huge headlights are a fresh design signature; note also the new grille with more prominent, centred badge, larger flared guards and different bonnet creases. The rear tail-lights have also been redesigned as has the rear boot lid.
The new cars are all longer and wider than the old models. They all have all-wheel-drive and come with stability control and an electronic hill holder system. Six airbags are standard. Subaru has replaced the current active head rests with high-strength front seat frames to further protect against whiplash injury in a rear-end collision.
Now in its fourth generation, the Outback is particularly striking. It is 70mm-longer and 105mm taller than the previous car, and has better ground clearance (220mm now). Though it is 20mm shorter overall, the cabin is more generously-sized. Rear-seat legroom has been stretched by 10cm, which resolves the old model's rather cramped rear cabin.
Subaru says the new double-wishbone rear suspension sharpens the dynamics and increases rear cargo space by 167 litres. The rear seats fold easily, just pull triggers in the boot - a trick first seen in the old Mazda6 wagon.
There are also new headlights and tail-lights, and a new roof-rail design that stows the crossbars in the longitudinal rails when not in use.
Inside, there is a new instrument panel with four aluminium meter rings, a new centre console and an information display screen in the centre of the dash. Bluetooth is standard fare and, at long last, Subaru is to offer sat-nav as an option.
The recommended retails increase by around $1000 if customers opt for a three-year service plan and Subaru NZ is heding its bets, notifying the prices are effective from now until August 31.
What this means to you: Good price for what looks like a good car.
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