Subaru New Zealand has announced that the hugely anticipated Outback 2.4 Turbocharged model is due to arrive in time for New Zealanders’ summer adventures.

Powerful Outback

The 2.4-litre turbocharged engine means that not only does the Outback have more horsepower, but its towing capacity has also scaled new heights – increasing from the current 2.5 litre naturally aspirated Outback’s 2000kg limit, to a lofty 2400kg rating.

Subaru’s Managing Director, Wallis Dumper, says this extra pulling power is a huge bonus for New Zealanders who are after a vehicle that can support their adventures and hobbies.

Two model variants will be released in New Zealand - the flagship Outback Touring 2.4T and the outdoor adventurer Outback X 2.4T. Both Outback models comes with the revised Subaru Lineartronic™ Transmission (SLT) gear/differential ratios to suit the increased power delivery and towing performance.

The more powerful 2.4-litre turbocharged, four-cylinder boxer engine boosts the Outback 2.4T’s output to 183kW and 350Nm of torque. The All-Wheel Drive 2022 Subaru Outback range in New Zealand is currently available with a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre boxer engine with 138kW of power and 245Nm of torque.

The Outback 2.4T’s ‘torquey’, larger powerplant speeds up the turbocharged Outbacks’s 0-100km sprint time to 7.5 seconds - an impressive 2.1 seconds faster than the current Outback 2.5, which clocks 9.6 seconds for the 0-100km dash.

Pricing will be revealed closer to the launch of the Subaru Outback 2.4T in New Zealand.

Interior

The Outback Touring 2.4T is the most technologically advanced and luxurious Outback of all time. With electric sunroof, heated steering wheel, Harman Kardon® audio, a rear power tail gate with hands-free badge sensor and Nappa leather accented seat trim, it’s impossible not to feel spoiled in the Outback. The interior also includes green stitching on the water repellent synthetic leather seats, centre console, steering wheel and gear shift boot.

This premium variant includes a spectacular 11.6" tablet-like touch screen with satellite navigation, as well as a Driver Monitoring System (DMS) with facial recognition to detect driver drowsiness or distraction. The DMS also has the ability to recognise up to five drivers to personalise the driver's seat, wing mirror and air conditioning preferences – enhancing driving comfort and safety

Exterior

The ruggedly stylish Outback X 2.4T enables drivers to take their adventures to the next level. It stands out with dark metallic 18" alloy wheels, black grille, wing mirrors and rear badging. To give it more x-factor, the Outback X 2.4T also features green accents on the side badges.

Features

Built for getting off the beaten track, the dual function X-Mode has deep snow and mud settings, which allows the Outback X 2.4T to traverse almost any terrain. It features satellite navigation, a rear power tail gate with hands-free badge sensor and black roof rails with green tie-down points.

Along with the rest of the Subaru New Zealand model range, the new Outback 2.4 Turbo variants are equipped with the clever crash avoidance technology EyeSight® as standard. Subaru drivers can be confident they have all the capability, safety (and now, increased towing power) no matter where they are headed.

Conclusion

Subaru’s largest, most spacious SUV also received the AA/Driven New Zealand Car of the Year 2021 Safest Car award, which is a direct acknowledgement of the Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive engineering technology prowess that underpins all New Zealand-new Subarus.

According to Subaru, the Outback is Subaru’s top-selling model in New Zealand, and has been for years, making up over 40 percent of total sales for Subaru in New Zealand.

“Our Kiwi customers will be very happy to hear that the Outback 2.4 Turbo’s target time for New Zealand is December. We are working overtime with the Subaru Corporation factory to make the 2.4T’s arrival a reality.

“Kiwis who are eyeing one to tow their toys away for the summer holidays will need to order to be first in the queue, as we expect limited arrivals this side of Christmas. We are also expecting extra fees to be applied to most new petrol engine cars early next year, as part of the Government’s ambition to be carbon neutral by 2050.

“Our understanding is the that the Government is introducing the Clean Car Standard (CCS) fees from 1 January 2023 and the Outback 2.4T model will incur additional costs. We are awaiting urgent clarification from the Government Transport Department and will be as transparent as possible when we have the information to hand. CCS will not only affect Subaru, but the entire NZ automotive industry and the reality is that come 2023, many new petrol engine cars may cost customers thousands more than they do today,” Dumper says.

To support this change, the Subaru of New Zealand team have worked with Subaru Corporation to secure extra 2.4T models in 2022 to satisfy customer demand and help them avoid paying more fees than they need to.

Dumper continues, “to the best of our knowledge, at the time of writing, any vehicles crossing our border after 31 December 2022 will have the CCS fees applied. We have limited stock available, therefore respectfully ask potential customers to get in touch with their local Authorised Subaru Centre to put down a deposit - or register to be kept informed about pricing, the specific arrival timing and the imminent CCS deadline to avoid any disappointment.”

To register to be kept informed about the all-new Outback 2.4T, and to be the first to hear about its pricing when it’s announced, please visit https://www.subaru.co.nz/outback-2.4t