Subaru will bring its first ever diesel automatic model to Australia in March, in the form of the Outback 2.0D auto.
Pricing and specification changes for the rest of the MY13 Outback range were announced last week, however the CVT auto-equipped diesel would seem to be a last-minute addition.
Pricing has yet to be announced, but expect a premium of around $2000 to be added to the pricetags of the Outback 2.0D manual ($39,990) and the Outback 2.0D Premium manual ($42,990).
Equipment levels will mirror those of the already-announced diesel manual variants, with the base 2.0D packing sat-nav as standard and the 2.0D Premium adding leather upholstery, an electric sunroof, power adjustable seats and Subaru's EyeSight collision detection system.
“Diesel manual Outback now represents around 20 percent of the model’s sales, so we’re anticipating significant demand for the auto," said Subaru Australia Managing Director, Nick Senior.
“Our best advice is for customers to see their dealer as soon as possible, because if our experience with the manual is anything to go by, we’ll end up with a very strong order bank for this car."
He's likely to be right. The trend away from autos by Australian buyers began years ago - once upon a time a manual-only model could survive, not anymore.
- Interested in buying SUBARU OUTBACK? Visit our SUBARU OUTBACK showroom for more information.
9 Comments
I wonder if the CVT can cope with the torque of the diesel?
The article does not mention CVT, I assume that means it is getting the 5 speed automatic that is used in the 3.6R Outback. *What would be good, is if they offered the 18" wheels that are on the current Liberty X sedan on the outback. Or even the Outback version they do in Japan, called the 2.5i Eyesight S Package.
You are right, likely to be the 5 speed torque converter auto. I wonder if Subaru uses a DPF with its diesel and if the DPF is covered by warranty?
From the Subaru Australia website: "The ultra-efficient All-Wheel Drive (AWD) Outback 2.0D will feature Subaru’s newest Lineartronic™Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), joining the six-speed manual variants."
That's a shame.
Apologies for the oversight folks, it is indeed a CVT automatic. We've amended the article to note this. Cheers.
Great fuel economy than my XV
I asked a dealer about pricing and they told me $49,990 for the premium auto diesel (vs $42,990 for the premium manual diesel) - so that's $7,000 more for the auto, not $2000. I rang Subaru directly to check that and got told that dealers shouldn't be providing pricing, but no confirmation or denial that the price was correct. I wonder if Subaru think that they're in a seller's market and intend to charge accordingly? If so, I won't be buying from them. For that money there are plenty of other options.
As it turns out, that price of $49,990 is correct - it's the drive away price dealers are wanting in Melbourne. Since the RRP is $45,490 they're wanting $4500 for the dealer carwash. Like I said, Subaru think it's a sellers market. I'll be waiting for the CR-V diesel next January, which Honda have assured me will be competitively priced and in any case has a more spacious, better quality interior.