Outback gets diesel torque

SUBARU has finally done the deed and presented its first diesel engine – in one of its Outback models.

What makes it different from any other diesel we’ve driven – and we’ve had a few through the decades – is that it follows the same flat-four, or boxer, design as its petrol motors.

As far as we know, it’s the only such engine in the world.

But it has the same clatter as other diesels, similar lusty torque and is also very fuel and enviro efficient.

We reviewed the auto petrol model in January, and loved it.

On this one, we’ve got a few reservations.

Not because of the engine, which seems to be everything one would expect of a modern turbo-diesel, but rather because of its gearing and its worrisome hand – er, parking brake.

The motor is a 2.0litre twin-cammer with high pressure injection, a particle filter and it puts out 110kW and 350Nm.

It’s a bit noisier than most diesels, but it’s relatively clean – burning with emissions of just 160g of CO2/km.

And it’s pretty frugal in its fuel use. We averaged a texbook 6.4litres/100km on our usual mix.

The Outback oilers come in three levels of trim, all of them with six-speed manual transmission.

The range starts at $40,490, goes to the Premium at $43,990 and the Premium with SatNav, which costs $46,490.

It’s not a bad looking vehicle, but the neither here nor there design has ended an era of much loved and unmistakable lines of the Outback – and Impreza – and miffed many Subi stalwarts.

The 2.0D, as it’s called, shares the same spacious cabin, all-wheel-drive underpinnings and engineering updates as petrol versions. But it didn’t have the same handling as the petrol model we had earlier.

Maybe it’s the heavier (only by 51kg) engine, or different tyres, but where the petrol model skimmed through our regular roundabout cleanly, the 2.0D tended to wallow.

The omission of an automatic gearbox, even as an option, is unfortunate.

The six-speed manual is fine for the first four ratios, but fifth and sixth are far too tall, the latter usable only out in the country.

My main gripe is with the parking brake. I appreciate technical advances, but only if they improve things. In my opinion, the electronic parking brake, which has to be used in tandem with Hill Control on steep inclines, is a backward move.

Here’s a scenario: You’re on a steep slope. You press the button to engage the parking brake.

OK. Time to go. Engage first gear, release parking brake and the the car will, of course, run back until countered by adept use of the clutch.

So you need to switch on the Hill Control to stop that. Both buttons require the driver’s eyes to be diverted from road to dashboard.

So the driver ends up playing silly buggers with two little switches in a daunting exercise to stop the Outback running backwards, maybe even into Dr Nugawela’s $500,000 Lamborghini.

A simple handbrake would be the answer. But Subaru seemingly opted for a committee to design an alternative. Oy vey!

Otherwise, the car runs nicely, despatches the sprint to 100km/h in a fraction under 10 seconds, automatically adjusts its suspension to suit the load and has a lot of standard gear.

This includes a hotshot Kenwood audio system, auto-on headlights, dual-zone climate control and a nice set of alloy wheels.

Outbacks, as the name and generous ground clearance suggest, are designed to cope with less than friendly roads.

So how come it doesn’t have a full-sized spare wheel? Probably the decision of the same people who came up with the dopey electric park brake and Hill Control.

What everyone else is thinking

Lisa

11/06/2010

Picked up my new diesel Outback (premium) to replace my H6 2003 2 weeks ago & love it. Agree with your review. Things I love: heaps of space over my old Outback, stereo, gearbox ( yes I haven't managed to get into 6th yet), handling seems fine. Steering wheel & controls are great, like the door puddle lights too.

Things I am still trying to get used to? The clutch does ride high,not much play in it. You have to change through the first 3 gears fairly rapidly. Totally dont understand or find any use for the ECO guage

And that electronic park brake is doing my head in-I hope I will get used to it. You have to put the hill hold on when starting your car and then you shouldn't have to push any buttons for the rest of the journey because the park brake engages automatically when you come to a stop on an incline.
Yet if you stop and restart the car, you have to push the hillhold button again as the default is to have it off.