| Updates
August: 2008
Crash tests, 5 star results from NHTSA
12/9/08 New accessories:
iPod
interface controls your iPod and iPhone through the factory stereo.
Also recharges it except for 4th generation Nano and 2ndGen iPhone. Works
on all Legacy and Outback 2009-2008-2007 without Satellite radio. Available
factory or dealer installed
SPT turbo heat shield
2009-8-7-6-5 Legacy GT and Outback XT turbos. Helps keeps the turbo warmer,
retain heat.
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 |
top
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
No
factory Bluetooth is available
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.
top |
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.
Low
fuel light comes on with app 2.6 US gallons left.
Indicates the transmission fluid is too hot. Slow down and avoid hard driving,
hills, stop-go traffic etc. Take to mechanic.
Indicates that there is a problem. Or a loose gas cap. Anyway, slow down
and take to mechanic.
