Turbocharged Subaru Outback a possibility for Australia
The brand claims it is working around the clock to bring the turbocharged Outback offered overseas to Australia.
Subaru Australia says it is furiously working “closely with the factory” to introduce a more powerful, turbocharged version of its Subaru Outback to satiate demand.
Internationally, the Outback is offered with a 194kW/376Nm 2.4-litre turbocharged flat-four – a detuned version of the engine found in the upcoming 2022 Subaru WRX.
Given high-performance versions of its wagon-turned-SUV range have been discontinued since mid-2021 – when stock of the previous-generation Outback’s 190kW 3.6-litre six-cylinder engine option ran out – it’s understood customers are looking elsewhere for an upgrade.
Speaking to Australian media at the launch of the new Subaru BRZ, boss of Subaru Australia Blair Read said “The customer demand for this model in Australia has been heard loud and clear.”
“We’re working closely with the factory to try and deliver this for our customers.”
Despite historically offering muscular powertrains in its SUV range, Subaru’s powerful-yet-aging engines have been falling victim to the global emissions rules.
In 2018, the turbocharged Subaru Forester was discontinued, despite the powertrain representing around one-in-five sales in Australia alone.
In 2021, the six-cylinder version of the Subaru Outback was also discontinued, which also represented around 15 per cent of the model mix.
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