| Updates
August: 2008
Crash tests, 5 star results from NHTSA
4/10/08 2008 is the final year
for the LL Bean name. This is a name only change. 09s LL Beans will become
Limiteds, with the 2008 Limited becoming the Premium for 2009..
4/5/07 the first 08 Outback arrive
3/19/07 2008 Outback and
Legacy prices and basic specs released
2/15/2007 Crash test results Safety
crash test Legacy and Outback: NHTSA the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration announced that 24 2007 passenger vehicles, including
the Subaru Legacy and Outback, received five stars in front and side crash
tests, the highest government rating under the agency’s New Car Assessment
Program. the
full report
Here and Gone-
what's changed for 2008
2008 Outback models
| 2.5L 4 cylinder
Outback (replaces
Outback Basic)
Outback 2.5i
Outback 2.5i LL
Bean with Navigation, with VDC starting July 07
Outback 2.5i Limited,
with VDC starting July 07
Outback 2.5i Limited
LL Bean with Navigation, with VDC starting July 07 |
2.5L 4 cylinder
turbo
XT Limited with VDC
XT Limited with
VDC and Navigation
|
3.0L 6 cylinder
Outback 3.0R Limited
LL Bean with Navigation and VDC |
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gone
Outback sedan. All Outbacks are now wagons. If you want a sedan, it will
be a Legacy
new model name:
'Outback' replaces 'Outback Basic'. Same model, different name.
new
front grill on all models
new colors,
deep bronze, harvest gold, quartz silver
new Interior
cloth color. Warm Ivory cloth replaces Taupe cloth (see photos
below and also photo
page).
gone 'DRL'
(daytime running light) dashboard indicator light that was on when the
Daytime Running Lights were on. Of course DRLs are standard on all models.
gone
driver side front wiper arm no longer has the air fin
new
Tire Pressure Monitoring now on all models.
new
Halogen fog light bulbs on 2.5i model and up
new
XT and LL Bean 17" alloy wheels (see photo
page).
new
Child seat anchors hidden under flap (see photo
page).
new
Key and Remote integrated into one unit (see photo above).
new
all models pre-wired for XM or Sirius Satellite radio (07 was XM
only).
new re-designed
head and tail lights with large turn signals visible from sides
new
SI Drive now with Sport# button on steering wheel, programable Birthday
and Anniversary date reminder
new
2.5L 4 cylinder horsepower now 170@60000rpm, torque170@4400rpm (2007
was 175@6000rpm, torque 169@4400 rpm)
new, all models
New revised EPA Fuel economy testing methods will result in lower but more
realistic rating for all manufacturers.
new steeering wheel
Telecoping steering wheel on all models. This
has not been offered previously on anything except the long gone SVX (see
dimensions).
new steeering wheel
3 spoke with cruise control on all models. Various upper level models get
a slightly different steering wheel with leather, wood and/or SI Drive
and audio controls (see photo
page).
new wheel
covers standard on Outback's 16" steel wheels (this is the model formerly
known as the Basic).
new Stereo.
Optional Satelittle radio now either XM or Sirius (07 was XM only)
new VDC (vehicle
dynamic control) all wheel drive electronic traction and stability control
is standard Limiteds starting with July 2007 delivery. It is not
on Limited delivered to dealers prior to July.
Last year VDC was only on the XT turbo
and 3.0R LL Bean. This is the first year the VDC system has been offered
on anything other than the Outback XT, Outback 3.0R LL Bean, and Tribeca
models.
Emissions: 2.5L 4 cylinder models
are available in either Fed or Ca spec.
Federal Emission Specification: Certified
low emission LEV2 for sale in all states except CA, CT, NH, NY, MA, MS,
RI, VT
California spec: PZEV, Super Low Emission
Vehicle SULEV for sale in CA, CT, NH, NY, MA, MS, RI, VT.
Note: Californic PZEV spec cars are available
for sale (order) in all 50 states but only offered standard in CA,
CT, NH, NY, MA, MS, RI, and VT with the 15 year/150,000 mile emission warranty.
VDC is also standard on XT with automatic
transmission, and 3.0R LL Bean.
VDC stability traction control system
measures variables such as steering input, braking and vehicle angle, and
applies individual brakes and/or reduces engine power to counteract skids
or slides to help keep you in control.
VDC includes on 4cylinder, 4 speed automatics
a traction control system which senses a loss of of traction and applies
the brakes to the slipping wheels to maintain vehicle motion (this is not
the VTD system on the XT or LL Bean).
VTD with VDC on 5speed automatic tranmissions
(XT turbo, 3.0R 6 cylinder models). VTD Variable Torque Distribution traction
control system has 45/55 performance oriented, front/rear power split with
Limited Slip rear axle.
April 2008
late 2008 Outback models will be transitioned from using the old coolant
to the new Super Coolant until inventory of the old coolant is exhausted.
Therefore, some vehicles will have the old type (green) color; some vehicles
will have a mixture of both the old type (green) color and the new type
(blue) color, and some vehicles will have the new type (blue) color. The
maintenance schedule for all of these vehicles is 30 months/48,000Km (30,000
miles).
The Outback is classed as a light truck
for CAFE fuel economy reasons. 'Cafe' stands Corporate Average Fuel
Economy. This doesn't affect safety, economy or mean the car will tip over
or be unsafe like a SUV. Many other vehicles are classed this way including
Honda CRV, Dodge minivan, Toyota Rav4, Chrysler PT Cruiser, Honda Odyssey,
Honda Element, Cadillac ESV, Chrysler Pacifica etc etc. Here is the official
statement from Subaru.
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This
low tire pressure dashboard light turns on when a tire's pressure drops
and the car is going over 20mph
VDC dashboard light. This comes on when the VDC system has been activated
or turned off.
