New derivative’s release timing means launch pricing might well rise within weeks of availability.

TWO versions of the Subaru Outback will configure with a WRX-shared four-cylinder turbo petrol engine that’ll aim to hit for six – but also be almost immediately bowled by a new round of emissions regulations.

Additional detail about planning for the models offering as a replacement for the six-cylinder that didn’t come into the latest generation car has been released today by Subaru of New Zealand.

The brand has shared the Outback 2.4 T will configure in Touring and a more off-road oriented X formats, both with constantly variable transmissions, with arrival in December.

It has shared some specification details for each variant, including that the turbo’s have a 2400kg towing rating, an improvement of 400kg over the 2.5-litre models and the highest for any Outback, and that they are 2.1 seconds quicker in the 0-100kmh sprint, with a cited 7.5 seconds.

However, it is still not saying where the 2.4T will sit in the Outback price structure – but has warned any stickers applying to stock landed this year will be short-lived, with increases coming as result of the Clean Car Standard hitting on January 1.

As things stand, the sixth generation Outback competes in three specification levels – Outback, Outback X and Touring – that respectively price at $49,990, $54,990 and $59,990.

The Clean Car Standard is the next step in the Government’s emissions reduction strategy and will hit distributors who fail to meet CO2 targets with penalties that are additional, and higher, than those already being copped by anyone buying a car or light vehicle emitting 192 grams per kilometre or more.

Subaru product will be hurt, Subaru NZ managing director Wallis Dumper has acknowledged.

Whereas the 2.5’s emissions are 168 grams per kilometre, the 2.4 in its WRX guise is already in the penalty zone. Owners pay around $1400 with the Lineratronic transmission – where the CO2 count is exactly 192 grams – and is 205g/km with the manual.

“We are also expecting extra fees to be applied to most new petrol engine cars early next year, as part of the Government’s ambition to be carbon neutral by 2050 … the Outback 2.4T model will incur additional costs,” Dumper said today.

“We are awaiting urgent clarification from the Government Transport Department and will be as transparent as possible when we have the information to hand.

“CCS will not only affect Subaru, but the entire NZ automotive industry and the reality is that come 2023, many new petrol engine cars may cost customers thousands more than they do today.”

He says Subaru of New Zealand has worked with the parent in Japan, Subaru Corporation, to secure extra 2.4T models in 2022 to satisfy customer demand and help them avoid paying more fees than they need to.

Dumper continues: “To the best of our knowledge, at the time of writing, any vehicles crossing our border after December 31, 2022, will have the CCS fees applied.”

Launch pricing will be announced as soon as production and shipping schedules are confirmed. The target time is December.

“We have limited stock available, therefore respectfully ask potential customers to get in touch with their local authorised Subaru Centre to put down a deposit - or register to be kept informed about pricing, the specific arrival timing and the imminent CCS deadline.”

The addition of the new engine is expected to pick up business that once went to the 3.6-litre six-cylinder petrol engine that ran in the previous generation Outback, but couldn’t continue because it failed to meet economy and emissions expectations.

Subaru has cited outputs of 183kW and 350Nm, slightly less power but the same torque that the unit delivers in its primary market, North America.

That also a drop in power and torque compared to the defunct six-cylinder, which delivered 191kW and 360Nm in its final format, discontinued in 2021.

In the WRX it puts out 202kW and 350Nm in the export format coming here, but 202kW and 375Nm in the Japanese domestic market.

The normally-aspirated 2.5-litre that Outback solely offers presently makes 138kW and 245Nm.

How the turbo engine stands for emissions and economy remains to be fully revealed.

Data Subaru presents for the WRX suggests it will have an optimal return of 8.5 litres per 100km, against 7.3 litres per 100km for the 2.5. That’s with the Lineartronic constantly variable transmission, the sole choice in Outback and also for the WRX in its wagon format.

Dumper says the engine’s additional hauling oomph will appeal to customers who need a vehicle to support their adventures and hobbies.

“We know that Kiwis love a holiday trip around our beautiful country, and that towing items like trailers or boats are some of the best ways to enjoy all our lakes, and seaside spots.

“The Outback 2.4T will provide that extra turbocharged driver enjoyment getting to the destination and also the knowledge that they can comfortably tow their toys to the places they would rather be.”

The Touring spec runs to Nappa leather accented seat trim, electric sunroof, heated steering wheel, Harman Kardon audio and a rear power tail gate with hands-free badge sensor. It also delivers a driver monitoring system with facial recognition that can recognise up to five drivers to personalise the driver's seat, wing mirror and air conditioning preferences.

The Outback X is a big brother to the Forester X, with similar presentation. It has dark metallic alloys and have a black grille, wing mirrors and rear badging, black roof rails with green tie-down points plus it has green accents on the side badges. The interior includes green stitching on the water repellent synthetic leather seats, centre console, steering wheel and gear shift boot.

It runs an X-Mode with deep snow and deep mud settings and has satellite navigation and a rear power tail gate among features.

Outback still holds firm as Subaru’s top-selling model in New Zealand, with more than 40 percent of sales.

Says Dumper: “These figures have not diminished after the discontinuation of the six-cylinder … by introducing the new Outback 2.4T to our line-up, we can now offer Kiwis the most powerful Outback yet, in terms of it having the highest tow rating ever for this model.”