2006 Subaru Outback 2.5 Xt Limited Wagon on 2040-cars

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2020 Subaru Outback Suspension Deep Dive | More than meets the eye

The 2020 Subaru Outback is a completely redesigned car. It has a lot to offer in terms of new convenience features, and the driving experience is much improved. A good deal of that comes from chassis improvements, and indeed a lot of work went into making the body shell and suspension subframes more rigid so the suspension attachment points could be more robust and stable. Don’t let all of that rigidity talk make you think the ride itself is stiff. It isnÂ’t. Any suspension tuning engineer will tell you that a stable platform is necessary even if a smooth ride is the goal. Rigid attachment points make it easier to control ride motions and road imperfections within those components designed for that very job – the springs, dampers and suspension bushings. So letÂ’s take a look at what Subaru has done under the new Outback. What weÂ’re about to see doesnÂ’t just apply to the Outback wagon, but to the closely-related and also-redesigned 2020 Legacy sedan as well.   ItÂ’s no surprise that a vehicle like the Subaru Outback uses strut front suspension, but from here, a couple of details do look curious.   Like any strut suspension, the steering axis (yellow line) is defined by the pivot bushing at the top of the strut and the center of the lower ball joint. The entire affair will pivot about this line when the wheels are turned. The lower control arm (red) of the newly redesigned 2020 Outback is now a lightweight aluminum piece instead of the steel hunk that was used last year. As before, thereÂ’s a “direct-acting” stabilizer bar link (green) that attaches to the strut housing, an arrangement that maximizes the efficiency of the stabilizer bar because the motion ratio is 1-to-1 motion with respect to wheel movement. As for the stabilizer bar itself, itÂ’s now hollow to save a bit of weight.   This spacer (yellow) raises the body relative to the suspension. The Outback has one, but the lower-riding Legacy sedan does not. The spacer pushes the arm down (or the body up - take your pick), so that means the OutbackÂ’s reinforcing bracket (green) will also differ from that of the Legacy. While weÂ’re here, look at the round rubber bushing just below the spacer. That void space and square nub you see pointing directly at you will make sense in a short while.   Subaru couldnÂ’t simply put a spacer on the OutbackÂ’s rear lower control arm pivot and call it good. They had to do something of similar magnitude at the front.

Subaru to introduce two e-Boxer hybrids at Geneva

Subaru will be bringing two electrified "e-Boxer" models to the Geneva Motor Show next month, as Autocar reports. While the manufacturer hasn't announced which models these electrified cars will be, it is likely that at least one of them will be the e-Boxer version of the Forester, which Subaru showed at the 2019 Tokyo Auto Salon. Another possible model for the Geneva unveiling can be the Crosstrek's hybrid version, branded XV for the European market. The hybrid Crosstrek is Subaru's first PHEV model, and it uses Toyota's 8.8-kWh battery pack mated to a 2.0-liter boxer engine. Subaru is relatively late to the hybrid game, as some competing Japanese carmakers have had hybrid cars on the market for a long time already, and only in recent years has Subaru put hybrid models for sale outside Japan. But by being able to mate electric power with its trademark boxer engine powertrain, Subaru can remain "on-brand" while still utilizing hybrid technology, instead of going with a regular four cylinder inline engine as is popular with hybrid powertrains. Still, the Japanese market Forester STI e-Boxer only produces a combined 156 horsepower and 187 lb-ft of torque, figures that seem modest compared to a 2.0-liter turbodiesel engine, for example. But with Subaru's diesel exercise just a decade-long, select-market enterprise, and with diesel on the outs these days, hybrid seems a better bet, especially in the North American market. Related Video:

Subaru recalls 100K turbocharged models for fire risk

The Basics: Subaru is recalling a total of 100,127 turbocharged cars over a fire risk. The affected vehicles include the 2007 to 2009 Subaru Legacy and Outback, 2008 to 2014 Impreza, and 2009 to 2013 Forester. All of the cars are equipped with the 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The Problem: The turbocharged vehicles have a faulty relay that could cause the secondary air injection pump to fail. If the relay fails, the pump would work continuously, possibly overheat, and melt, increasing the risk of a fire. Injuries/Deaths: None have been reported. The Fix: Subaru dealers will replace the defective secondary air injection pump relay at no charge. If you own one: Subaru will notify affected owners to schedule a fix. Owners can also call Subaru's customer service line at 1-800-782-2783 to confirm if their vehicle is affected. Related Video: News Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Government/Legal Recalls Subaru Crossover Hatchback SUV Sedan