Subaru Outback

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Subaru Outback<tr><td colspan=2>Image:Subaru Outback 2006.jpg</tr>
Manufacturer:	Fuji Heavy Industries<tr><th>Production:<td>1996–present</tr><tr><th>Assembly:<td>Lafayette, Indiana<tr><th>Class:<td>Crossover</tr><tr><th>Similar:<td>Chevrolet Malibu Maxx Dodge Magnum Mazda Mazda6</tr>

See also the smaller Impreza-based Subaru Outback Sport

1 1st Generation (1996-1999)
2 2nd Generation (2000-2004)
3 3rd Generation (2005-current)
4 External links

[edit] 1st Generation (1996-1999)

Image:1st-Subaru-Outback.jpg

The first Subaru Outback was introduced in the United States in 1996. It was a Legacy station wagon with all-wheel drive, body-cladding, off-road tires and slightly higher ground clearance. It was marketed using Subaru's trademarked phrase: "The World's First Sport Utility Wagon." All Outbacks are built in Lafayette, Indiana.

Prior to its use as a model, the Outback was originally a trim line for its Legacy and Impreza station wagons from 1995-1999.

The phrase may be trademarked, but it is not entirely accurate. In 1979, American Motors launched the AMC Concord-based AMC Eagle, which was similar, but had suffered poor sales and was discontinued in 1988. Subaru has also been manufacturing 4WD wagons since 1975. (4WD was only available in the wagon version until 1977 with the introduction of the Brat)

Subaru of America executives created the Outback because the SUV craze had at that point reached a fevered pitch with customers demanding SUVs and shunning Subaru's station wagons (even when equipped with all-wheel drive) based on image concerns, leaving dealers clamoring for a SUV-like product to sell.

Image:1st-Subaru-Outback-Sport.jpg

The Outback turned out to be a success, handily outselling its Legacy progenitor. Clever ads featured Australian "Crocodile Dundee" star Paul Hogan using the Outback in adventurous situations where it was portrayed besting its competitors, notably the Ford Explorer.

An Outback Sport, based on the Subaru Impreza five-door hatchback was introduced in 1998.

Image:Subaru-Outback-sedan.jpg

The Outback SUS (for "Sport Utility Sedan") was launched with a limited production test run sold in New England in 1999 and based on its success, was rolled out nationwide the following year.

Other companies followed suit with similar raised four wheel drive station wagons as stop-gaps before their own SUVs were launched, or if they did not envisage introducing one. These included the Audi A6 Allroad, Volvo XC70, Alfa Romeo 156 CrossWagon and the Holden Adventra.

The Outback was available in Japan from 1995 as the Subaru Legacy Grandwagon.

[edit] 2nd Generation (2000-2004)

Second generation<tr><td colspan=2>Image:Subaru-Outback-wagon.jpg</tr><tr><th>Production:<td>2000–2004</tr><tr><th>Body style:<td>4-door station wagon 4-door sedan</tr><tr><th>Engine:<td>2.2L 142 hp H4 2.5L 165 hp H4</tr><tr><th>Transmission:<td>4-Speed Automatic Overdrive 5-Speed Manual Overdrive</tr><tr><th>Wheelbase:<td>104.30 in.</tr><tr><th>Length:<td>187.40 in.</tr><tr><th>Width:<td>68.70 in.</tr><tr><th>Height:<td>62.20 in.</tr><tr><th>Fuel capacity:<td>16.9 gal.</tr><tr><th>Related:<td>Subaru Legacy</tr>

Although based on the third generation Legacy, in 2000, Outback became its own model and added a sedan, as well as an available horizontal six-cylinder engine.

In the highest trim level (VDC, for Vehicle Dynamics Control), a 200 W McIntosh stereo system was standard from 2001 to 2003. These were some of the only vehicles ever factory-equipped with McIntosh stereo equipment.

In Japan, the Outback is marketed as Subaru Legacy Lancaster.

[edit] 3rd Generation (2005-current)

Third generation<tr><td colspan=2></tr><tr><th>Production:<td>2005–present</tr><tr><th>Body style:<td>4-door station wagon</tr><tr><th>Engine:<td>2.5L 173 hp H4 2.5L 175 hp H4 2.5L 250 hp H4 3.0L 250 hp H6</tr><tr><th>Transmission:<td>4-Speed Automatic Overdrive 5-Speed Automatic Overdrive 5-Speed Manual Overdrive</tr><tr><th>Wheelbase:<td>105.1 in.</tr><tr><th>Length:<td>188.7 in.</tr><tr><th>Width:<td>69.7 in.</tr><tr><th>Height:<td>63.2 in.</tr><tr><th>Fuel capacity:<td>16.9 gal.</tr><tr><th>Related:<td>Subaru B9 Tribeca Subaru Legacy</tr>

In 2003, with the debut of the fourth-generation Legacy at the 60th Frankfurt Auto Show, the Outback name is now being used worldwide with the launch of the second-generation Outback wagon. Models equipped with a 3.0 L H6 were introduced at the 2004 Chicago Auto Show.