Subaru launches 2.0L diesel Outback/Legacy wagon in the UK with 41mpg
Almost a year after announcing their new diesel boxer engine at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show, Subaru has finally put it on sale in the UK. The Outback and the Legacy Sports Tourer (aka station wagons) go on sale in February in the the UK with a 2.0L horizontally-opposed four-cylinder diesel engine. This apparently is the first diesel engine of this configuration ever installed in a production passenger car. The new plant is rated at 150hp and 258 lb-ft of torque with an impressive 41.3 mpg (U.S.). That's better than either the Mondeo or Passat diesel wagons and the Subaru has all wheel drive. The Legacy wagon gets from 0-60mph in a respectable 8.5 seconds, even with this impressive mileage. The diesel engine is also 2.4 inches shorter than Subaru's 2.0L gas engine thanks to smaller cylinder bore spacing. We can expect to see this engine appear in the U.S. market under the hood of the Forester and Imprezza in mid-2010.
[Source: NewsPress.co.uk]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Karkus 11:24AM (1/23/2008)
Brian Hague...
ALL states now require T2B5 from diesel cars. You can't buy a VW TDI car in Texas right now, for example. But you can buy a big smoky diesel truck, since those have different standards.
And as to why it takes so long to bring it to the USB.....this Subaru wouldn't be legal here, and it's going to take them a couple of years to clean it up to T2B5 standards.
Reply
Throwback 11:42AM (1/23/2008)
So marketing works on everyone except ABG readers who are smart enough not to fall for the ads? By the way the current Mazda 6 is available as a wagon right now. SUVs sold well because gas was cheap and we Americans like large vehicles. Crossovers are selling better now because they get a little better mileage than a truck based SUV and drives more "car" like. This is what made mini-vans so popular. Mini-vans sales are now taking a dive because people want something different. Car sales go in cycles one manufacturer strikes gold and everyone follows, look at hybrids. Sure advertising helps move product. But to suggest people are incapable of making a smart buying decision for themselves is silly.
Reply
amg 12:55PM (1/23/2008)
Oh Thank God! Now I hope that it's legal to purchase here in New York State, which is a CARB state, because this would do me right. I'd even take a diesel minivan at this point. But I refuse to buy an SUV, partly for personal taste and partly because I don't like being up so high when I drive. With a family on the way, I'd take a minivan, but I suspect all else being equal, this car would have better performance and mileage than a comparable minivan.
Reply
jeffrey 10:22PM (1/23/2008)
psarhjinian - yes, this is a Subaru-engineered and Subaru-built engine. In fact, it is the world's first "boxer" diesel.
You can find out more details about the Legacy/Outback diesel models in this UK press release:
http://www.newspress.co.uk/DAILY_LINKS/arc_jan_2008/54510sub.htm
Reply
My other car is a warthog 2:07PM (1/27/2008)
No minivan from Subie - I cry myself to sleep every night dreaming about one. Our Tribecca is nice, but lifting toddler out of the childseat, the back door swings into my Legacy and puts a dent in the front fender. :( Sliding doors, 7 passenger, AWD, DEISEL...is that asking too much?? Am I alone?
Reply
mike 9:03PM (1/28/2008)
What ever happened to the Subaru B5-TPH?
- Beautiful car, but they can keep the 300+ hp engine. How about a 120 HP HYBRID power plant.
Reply
Jeffrey Zekas 2:09PM (1/29/2008)
Up here in snow country, EVERYONE drives Subies... but, if you want a diesel, you have to purchase a HUGE truck-- NOT!... And so, all I can say is: Hurray for Subaru!!! (Now, all Fuji needs to build is a two-seat convertible sports car with the STI drivetrain!)
Reply
Richada 1:35PM (4/22/2008)
Interesting blog......over here in the UK I've just put down a deposit on a 2009 model year Legacy Diesel Saloon (for late September 08 delivery). I'm more than happy to "de-bug" it for you, having driven both the Outback and Sport Tourer (Station Wagon) I'm not expecting too many bugs though!
Pity that you can't yet try it over there, compared to any other four cylinder diesel - and most four cylinder petrol units it truly is a revalation to drive.
Reply
GlenP 11:07PM (4/26/2008)
I read Motor Trend Magazine's review of the 2008 Subaru Diesel Wagon and I would buy a 2008 Subaru Outback/Legacy Diesel Wagon tomorrow if I could find one here in the US. I really do not understand the American auto manufacturers; none understand that we need vehicles that get 40 + 50 mpg vehicles and are lagging behind foreign manufacturers by at least 3 - 5 years. I spoke with a salesperson at a local Ford dealer, the salesperson said that the only vehicle that gets over 32 mpg on the highway that Ford offers is the Focus. Chevrolet boasts its Malibu Hybrid at 34 mpg. Chrysler salesperson asked, "Say what -- vehicle that gets over 32 mpg --- let me sell you a Dodge 300 Hemi rated at 24 mpg on the highway. I am wondering; do the American "big three" know something about the cost of gasoline to go back down to around $1.99 in my lifetime or are they "Market 101" blind?
Reply
James Flocchini 2:02AM (2/03/2009)
Does anyone know if these new diesels come with a manual transmission option or are they all automatic? Thanks.
Reply
Dan 11:48PM (2/20/2009)
From what I've seen (granted not much) it's only going to be manual. From http://www.trucktrend.com/roadtests/suv/163_0809_2010_subaru_forester_diesel/index.html
Mated to the new engine is a new six-speed manual transmission designed especially for the boxer diesel. Subaru currently has no automatic capable of handling the diesel's lofty torque output, and given the relatively low volumes anticipated for the diesel the company isn't inclined to spend big bucks on creating a new one. Expect the manual to be the one and only transmission offering when (if?) the Forester diesel eventually makes its stateside debut.
joe 7:42PM (6/19/2009)
Please,---Wake-up! The manufacture Sells the outdated and "GASHOG" vehicles to the U.S. market because the Americans are the stupid ones who will buy it!!! Honda has had their phenominal fuel injected 50 cc scooter out for years. Can't but it here! World demand is so high that they couldn't supply us yet! Why bother? We are stupid enough to buy the old tech "GASHOGS"! {"carburated model"} Americans like gas hogs! When you wake up, you will not support the "AMERICANS ARE DUMB" evidence and proove that we just won't buy the worlds "JUNK"! Stuff that is a hard sell elswhere so the world dumps it here! Also,keep a low profile on that new Boxer diesel 4x4 for the best mileage. Less wind resistance! Maybe the Dumb American might want that wagon after all. Mine's a 91 legacy wagon and I love my beast!
Reply
Brian Hague 5:29PM (1/22/2008)
finally a car I can put some cash down on... in 2010
Reply
CT-Jake 10:08PM (1/22/2008)
WTF are car makers waiting for!!?? Bring on the diesels in vehicles most people want to buy. Why, Subaru, are you waiting 2 1/2 years to bring this to the US? Who would buy your current fare with something like this coming down the pike? Having to unnecessarily wait for years just may make us jump to another maker - but wait, most automakers are waiting, too. Honda just delayed their diesel entry and it went from an Accord to an Acura. Why are they trying to kill it before it even gets here? Would a descent automaker put it in something for under $30k? I don't count VW as descent - too damned many problems. Whew! It felt good to get that off my chest.
Reply
MemphisNET 10:31PM (1/22/2008)
@CT-Jake :
Because your average american is not interested in a) a wagon b) a diesel and if they want AWD, they're more likely to buy a SUV/CUV
I'm not saying its right. It's just the way it is, and automakers are guying to build what people want, not what they (or we) think they need.
Reply
tankd0g 12:04AM (1/23/2008)
I would have to argue that automakers have been telling you want you want for years.
Reply
Mirko 3:50AM (1/23/2008)
Not bad for AWD.
FWD 140 hp 2.0 Ford Mondeo is rated at 39.9 mpg
FWD 140 hp 2.0 VW Passat is rated at 39.9 mpg as well
AWD 140 hp 2.0 VW Passat is rated at 35.1 mpg
RWD 177hp 2.0 BMW 320d is rated at 48 mpg, but to get AWD on a BMW you have to go to the 6 cylinder models....
AWD 231hp 3.0 BMW 330dx is rated at 34.1 mpg... 0-60 in 6.5 though.
Reply
diesel 7:19AM (1/23/2008)
Hello from Ireland,
They are pretty impressive figures, my brother has a forester 2.0l turbo and i Think about 20 mpg us would be good for him, I think getting any of them figures would require a very light foot. I have a new mondeo diesel and i'am getting about 36mpg us and the best I have seen is 38.5 mpg us
Reply
rgseidl 7:57AM (1/23/2008)
@ CT-Jake -
one word: emissions.
Reply
babygotfront@gmail.com 4:41PM (8/25/2008)
emissions is two words, dumbass