Subaru has one word: V-6 - is that a word? - Brief Article

Okay, the buff magazines (and presumably the public) have Subaru has seen the light and will for the first time offer a 6-cyl. engine for its segment-defining Legacy Outback line.

Despite gradually pulling up the horses in its 2.2L and later 2.5L I-4s from an original 135 hp to 165 hp, it just wasn't enough for the throbbing U.S. market. So Subaru relents and fits the Outback H6-3.0 VDC (more on that acronym in a sec) and L.L. Bean Edition with a cammy new 3L DOHC horizontally opposed 6-cyl. that develops a game 212 hp.

Subaru plans to charge dearly for the privilege of the same type of powerplant until now only offered by Porsche: a rather blatant $29,990 for the L.L. Beau and a truly blatant $32,390 for the H6-3.0 VDG, which is fitted not only with Subaru's standard all-wheel drive but also the company's first stability control system -- VDC, for Vehicle Dynamic Control.

Dang, we like this car -- even if the lazy 4-speed automatic takes a while to realize there're now six pots out front -- but 30-grand-plus is pushing it, proving that Subaru owners' deep loyalty must run all the way through the pants and to the wallet. Subaru, we'll be watching closely, 'cause you're asking Audi money -- but sticking with a lot of cheesy plastic molding.

Showroom Outlook

Kiss those more-money-than-sense yuppies as they come through the door, because anybody with any sense wouldn't pay 30-large for a Subaru (remember the SVX? We'll bet your floorplanner still does). The new 6-cyl. engine is a great addition, but we predict price will be an issue. Another great brand trying to mess itself up with delusions of grandeur.

2005 Subaru U.S. Sales

Forecast

161,400

2000

% share

0.9

2005

% share

0.9

COPYRIGHT 2000 PRIMEDIA Business Magazines & Media Inc. All rights reserved.
COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group