36 — North Shore News — Friday, November 10, 2000

openrod

Expensive anti-ski

From page 3

have the most traction.

In addition, H6 3.0 VDC models include a new Vehicle Dynamic Control system (VDC). VDC is an anti-skid system that automatically cor- rects understeer (front-end | ploughing) and oversteer (rear-end swing) in slippery driving conditions.

The sophisticated VDC system uses sensors which measure yaw, lateral Gs, wheel speed, stcering angle, torque, and gear selection. When oversteering, the VDC system automatically brakes

¢ outside rear wheel to pre- vent the car from spinning our. When understeering, the VDC system brakes the inside

THE ‘Outback HS is much quieter and more refined than the standerd four-cylin-

Other new features

In addition to the new engine, automatic transmis- sion, VID, and VDC sys- tems, the 2001 Outback H6 3.0 includes new alloy wheels and larger four-wheel disc brakes, new dual stage driver and passenger airbags, a new optional McIntosh AM/FM /cassetic/single CD audio system with seven speakers, 2 new automatic cli- mate control system with outside temperature display, a leather-wrapped Momo steer- ing wheel with mahogany wood inserts, rear centre armrest, net pockets on the front seatbacks, and rear win- dow wiper/washer with inter- mittent setting.

PREORDERS fo ECR Bn FS

highway speeds, the Outback H6 glides along smoothly and quietly. Engine revs at 100 km/h in fourth gear are just 2,250 r.p.m. There is a low-pitched growl under hard acceleration, but it’s not intrusive. I would say that the H6 is now on par with the VW Passat 4Motion in terms of refinement — a worthy compliment in this class.

Still, as the Outback H6 weighs a rather hefty 1,694 kg (3,735 [.), its 0 to 100 km/h times are not outstand- ing. | recorded a best time of 9.5 seconds, which seems slow considering it has over 206 horsepower. However, off the line, and from 20 to 50 km/h, the Outback H6 has considerably more pep —~

<der Outback. Decibal ieveis under acceleration are way down, and at highway - speeds, the Outback H6 glides along smoothly and quietly.

“rear wheel to bring the car | -- back ‘in the right direction. °

-. As well, all-speed traction contro! limits w eclspin by: = momentarily applying the

rakes and retarding the

- throttle. In the Outback, ‘traction control is used as a

~ last resort if the other systems .~

a fail to increase traction.

- thin

Driving impressions —

I drove an Outback H6 3.0 VDC model for about a week in typical urban and subusban driving. The first T noticed was how much quieter and more refined it is than the standard four-cylinder Outback. Decibel levels wader accelera-

~ tion are way down, and at

and thar’s where most of us use it mest of the time. The engine develops about 75 per cent of its maximum torque at 2,200 r.p.m., so it feels responsive at lower speeds. ‘The new four-speed auto- matic transmission is extremely smooth, matching the overall refinement of this car's drivetrain. The standard

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all-wheei-drive system is basi- cally transparent to the driver on dry roads, and works automatically to add traction and stability on snow, ice and wet roads.

The new VDC system, which is designed to save the car from going out of control ifa driver enters a corner too fast, or brakes coo late into a corner, works well. E tried it out on a test-track, and it brought the car under con- trol in situations where it normally would have gone out of control. This will undoubtedly improve safety on snow, ice, slush, and wet roads.

The downside to the VDC system is that it is expensive. It's only available on the H6 3.0 VDC model, and comes combined with the VID, traction control and premium stereo which adds $4,000 to the price of the standard Outback H6 3.0.

Though the Outback is advertised as a “sport-utility wagon”, it performs more like a car than a truck.

The handling and ride are more balanced and more comfortable than any SUV — atelatively low centre of gravity and four wheel inde-

endent suspension help

cre. Despite having 7.3 inches of ground clearance, it doesn’t feel “tipsy” in the corners, and step-in height is kny, It_ performs surprisingly well off-pavements, but it can’t handle really tough situ- ations like b boulders or logs. And wi out a Low Range gear, it won’t handle really steep inclines and declines. But for most gravel and dirt roads, it’s quite capable, and a lot more com- fortable than a pickup or SUV.

. four-door, five-passenger mid-sized wagon

wd ongitudinal front engine/all-wheel-drive Engine....3.0-litre horizontally opposed six-cylinder, SCHC HOTSEPOWEF........sorsessccsoserssoronssereveeesennses 2 1O@ B,000 CPM.

TOrque........0.. Transmission . Curb weight... Wheelbase .. Length...

Width...

Ground clearance . Tires ..

Cargo space...

sseraneed lO ft-lb. @ 4,400 ro.m.

wa... fOUrSpesd automatic 1,694 kg (3,735 Ib.) o=1e2.69 M (104.3 in.) 4.76 m (187.4 in.)

.745 m (68.7 in.)

185 mm (7.3 in.) .-P225/60R-16

795 litres (28.1 cu. ft.) seats up

1,942 litres s (68. 6 cu. ft.) seats down

Fuel consumption............. Warranty ......----scseseooee Powertrain warranty ...

Prices and features

The base price of the Outback H6 3.0 wagon is $39,995. Standard ¢ ui ment is extensive, inc uding leather upholstery, mahogany wood trim, dual moonroofs with sunshades, automatic cli- mate control, cight-way power driver’s seat, dual sem- serature heated front seats, leather-wrapped Momo stecr- ing wheel, and 225/60R-16 inch tires and alloy wheels.

Standard safety features include dual stage front airbags, front side airbags, five three-point seatbelts (pretensioners on front seat- belts), and rear child locks - and child seat tether anchors.

The Outback H6 3.0 VDC model ($43,995) adds the VDC system, VTD, trac-

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tion control, and premium

McIntosh stereo. . When you consider that a

fully-loaded Outback Limited

~ Wagon with the 2.5-litre >.

four-cylinder engine is wo $36,995, the price of adding the six cylinder engine is ~ - about $3,000. With VIDC it’s $7,000 more! $44,009 seems - like a fot of money to pay for a Subart. — but [have co admit, Subaru is uew a long way from the Brat, Justy, and -°

GL sedans. They're Bradually a

creeping upscale, heading | - into territory currently occu- pied by upscale Volkswagens, 2 Audis, and Volvos. : All Outbacks and Legacys. sold in Canada are built in a joint Subaru-Isuzu plant in’ - Lafayette, Indiana. ’

Whe machining of rotors: or drums:,, ? plus tax & installation”: .

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