Subaru launches new Outback and Legacy models

It’s no secret. Ever since the Subaru brand made its way into Philippine shores as an entirely new and separate entity just a few months ago, it’s been creating a rabid cult following among serious, value-for-money wary car aficionados. The almost fanatical following, we surmise, is fuelled mainly by each Subaru vehicle’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (AWD) configuration — which provides lavish amounts of power and precision in one impressive package. Quite simply, Subarus have become the flavor of the year because of the driving dynamics and voluminous amounts of horsepower found in almost every single model that the brand carries — at least here in the Philippines.

We in the motoring beat have actually been expecting no less from the duo of Nicky Mariano and Ariel de Jesus — perhaps the most aggressive tandem to ever attempt to sell some seriously good cars for some surprisingly reasonable amounts of money. These two people left their respective jobs at some pretty solid car companies to start up a relatively small operation that had potential. Thus was born Motor Image Pilipinas, local distributors of the Subaru brand. Now, both Mariano and de Jesus work their bums off to make that potential a reality. How? By being their confident and aggressive selves, and by feeding their target market’s needs — immediately.

Only a few months after launching the Subaru brand and selling their products like the proverbial pancakes, they bring in two new models to spice up the sales game even more. Granted, these two products were among the models initially introduced along with the re-energized Subaru brand. But the real story is how fast they’ve adapted to their customers’ needs. Just last week, two of their core vehicles were re-launched, as meaner iterations, of course. The Subaru Outback, initially launched as an already aggressive crossover vehicle, is reintroduced as an even more technologically advanced beast. The Subaru Legacy, meanwhile, is reinvented as an executive sedan with the agility of a sports car, even as it comes with an all-new variant in an all-new shape.

The 2007 Subaru Outback 3.0R now features the SI-DRIVE technology, which literally places three distinct driving styles at the driver’s fingertips. To simplify things, the Outback’s horizontally opposed, six-cylinder, four stroke, DOHC, 24-valve powerhouse can deliver three distinct modes with but the flick of a switch — intelligent, sport and sport sharp. In the intelligent mode, power in conserved and fuel efficiency is maximized. City driving calls for this mode. In the sport mode, both driving linearity and comfort are achieved. It’s the mode best suited for highway driving. The sport sharp mode, meanwhile, aims to get the most out of the Outback’s intimidating engine. It is best used in winding courses and sport tracks. What the SI-DRIVE system does, basically, is make the unspoken fact that a grown man’s Subaru is his toy a reality. Bi-xenon headlamps, dual-zone automatic air-conditioning and a driver’s seat position memory system are all just icing on the cake, really. The bad-@$$ driving experience that the SI-DRIVE provides is all the serious Subaru fan needs to get convinced.

The 2007 Legacy 2.0R, meanwhile, features some significant changes in its exterior, making it sharper, bolder and more visually appealing than its immediate predecessor. The biggest news, however, lies in the fact that the Legacy now also has an executive wagon variant — something Subaru fans have been clamoring for since day one of Motor Image Pilipinas’ existence. And, as usual, the little new additions such as the telescopic steering wheel, power folding door mirrors and dual zone air-conditioning system add spice to the already sweet package.

At the launch of the vehicles last week, we sat with both Mariano and de Jesus to ask them why the upgrades had come almost at the heels of the model/brand launch themselves. We are, after all, used to model upgrades only a full year after the initial launch. Their unanimous chorus, "Because our discerning market demanded it — immediately." Seems like the Subaru brand and its clients/target market have something in common. Both are aggressive and constantly seeking to improve — immediately.