Do you know how many Legacy sedans Subaru sold in the Unites States last year? The answer is 42,291 cars. The reason why we mention it is that, during the same period, the Japanese firm sold almost three times as many units of the crossover-flavored version of the Legacy Estate, the Outback, with 118,049 deliveries.
That makes the Outback Subaru’s second best-selling model in the States, behind only the Forester that sold 123,592 units in 2013, which shows how important it is to the automaker.
That said, the new model, rumored to debut at the New York Auto Show in mid-April, will stick to the tried and tested recipe that adds a taller ride and SUV-styling elements such as body cladding to the next generation Legacy station wagon’s body, with the same car providing the renewed interior as well.
Judging from Subaru’s history, the new Outback’s powertrain lineup should mirror that of the latest Legacy offering a choice of 2.5-liter four-pot boxer producing 175hp and 174 lb-ft and a 3.6-liter six-cylinder boxer rated for 256hp and 247 lb-ft, both paired to a CVT transmission driving all-four wheels.
By John Halas
Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoopS
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