2& — Friday, August 13, 1999 — North Shore News north shore news AU’ TO Subaru Outback shines in off-road performance From page 23 tribution and a fower centre of vity than most cars. The Ouiback retains a fully independent suspension, but at the rear, a new three-link design replaces the previous MacPherson struts. The reason for this is space efficiency. The MacPherson strut tower intrudes into the trunk while the new design creates about 130 mm more floor width. The Outhack’s redesigned interior is larger and more comfortable with narrower window pillars which improve outward visibility. Front and rear headroom has been increased by 25 mm and shoulder roora by 6 mm. Subaru offered no figuzes for {egroom, but to me it appears to be slightly better than the 1999 model. Front and rear seats have been redesigned for reduced fatigue and more comfort and che passenger side dashboard has been pushed forwards to cre- ate a feeling of greater space. Other changes include new power window buttons angled towards the passengers, 2 cen- tre instrument panel that is Huge Savings Not A Penny Down O.A. 99 SUNFIRES 15934 UICK CENTURY auto, loaded $9 GME JIMMY SiS loaded , 4x4 closer to ‘ae driver, a six-way power ¢river’s seat, a new cupholder that doesn’t obstruct the controls and a hew transmission gear position indicator in the instrument panel. Also new is a promi- nent, brushed steel shiftgate for the automatic transmission shift lever. Outback Limited models have a better sterco: a new C. from 99, GRAND A ST#9280 net of rebates 99 GMC, YU ‘0 8, auto, air cond pts AM/EM/CD /cassette with weather band. Limited Ourbacks alse include standard leather upholstery, side airbags, variable intermittent wipers, a rear spoiler and moonroof on the sedan and dual moonroof on the wagon. Alloy wheels with gold accents are also included. All Ourback wagons have a standard 60/40 split folding j PONTIAC § Lease & Financing Available O.A.C. LM SE — cassette 09 GMC 1500 SIERR: rv fim cassette _. ST#9310 rear seatbacks, but sedans ate not available with a folding rear seatback — a rather important omission. A centre pass-through in the rear arm- rest is standard on sedans. The Ourtback’s roomier cargo area has a wider, flatter floor with four tie-down hooks. © and two pop-out ones for gro- cory bags, a great idea. Underneath the floor are three hidden storage compartments, another great idea. Additional safety features this year include a third rear head restraint and three-point — seatbelt in the centre rear posi- tion, and optional side airbags in the front scats on Limited models. The Outback’s reinforced body structure is not some- . thing you'll notice by looking at it — but driving the Outback wiil reveal its benefits: reduced body flexing and noise and vibrations which improves crash safety and improves handling My ‘only reservation about the car’s design are the frame- less doors which could rattle or leak if they don’t seal prop- erly when the doors are closed. The doors on my brand new, . test-car sealed perfectly. The question is what will they be, like in five years? . ; My test-drive revealed that \*: the new Ourback has better off-the-line acceleration even - though it’s heavier and the © new engine is definizely quieter and smoother. Around town, the Ourback is even more comfortable and casy-to-drive. However, passing or meng--- ing at speeds in the 80 to 150. km/h range were slower than in the previous model, proba-_ bly because of the new: : Outback’s greater size and weight. : It’s not siow mind you. It’s: just not as fast. Rurnour has it’ that a more powerful V6> engine will be corning | year. : On aved roads, the ~ Outback has avery comfortable ride, aid handlin is excellent alttiough there ‘some lean due to the Outback’s higher ride heigh I liked the snicoth B- ing transmission and the well. weighted s steering, and thi standard four wheel disc: brakes offered excellent pedal feel and moduladcn. ‘Off-road, the Outback ly shines, Its full-time four: _ wheel-drive'system automa’ cally apportions torque to th cally apper need it ‘and stan: dard limited slip differential apportions torque from side le, so grip is excellent. Thi only thing missing is ¢. low range Bear for very steep hills g I like best abou! the Outback s off-road perfor mance is tht it doesn’t bob,.. dip and weave .Jike most SUV's and pickup trucks, enabling - ~ you to keep Your lunch where it’s suppose stomach. ~ The manufacturer’s ‘sug: - gested retail prices forthe ~ 2000 Outback are as follows: © Outback Sedan Limited with 4- speed | automatic $34,695; Outback Wagon with 5-speed - nianual $31,395; Outback to be — in your . Wagon with 4-speed automatic $32,395; Outback Wagon Limited with 4-spe matic $36,295. The Outback and Legacy. ed auto are t built in Lafayette, Indiana,