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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 investigation confirms vehicle data tampering in Japan

Subaru has admitted that alteration of fuel-economy and emissions data took place in its Gunma and Yajima manufacturing plants between December 2012 and November 2017. Some 900 vehicles were affected by data tampering, which Subaru says was done in the vehicles' final inspections by factory-floor inspectors. In a report, Subaru says "non-conforming" final vehicle inspections were identified in late 2017, and that the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism demanded that Subaru undertake an internal investigation of the matter. Almost 7,000 vehicles were subject to inspection in the investigated time period, and the measurement equipment retained test data for some 6,500 of those. It showed that 903 vehicles had had their data "inappropriately altered," partially so that average data values would meet quality control standards. Subaru says that the decision to do this was made among vehicle inspectors and their foremen. As Subaru's statement reads: "Inspectors engaging in sampling of fuel economy and emissions were instructed by their seniors that, if results for each vehicle did not meet such standards, measurement values should be altered to those that meet such standards, and, according to such instructions, the inspectors altered measurement values. [...] Even if there were no problems in comparison with the internal quality control standards, inspectors altered measurement values with the intention of reducing variance in measurement values in order to avoid questions from the Group Chiefs and the Section Chief on such variance. It should be noted that alterations were made not only to make results better, but also to make them worse." It appears that everything was done to keep the average values right. Subaru adds: "Although the relevant laws and regulations stipulate that, in certain limited cases, measurement values could be altered in order to adjust errors caused by measurement equipment, inspectors misunderstand such adjustment method because of deficient internal rules and inadequate training. Inspectors altered measurement values by adjustment methods not stipulated in the relevant laws and regulations, without understanding that their methods were inappropriate." Test equipment did not contain data from earlier than 2012, but Subaru suspects such tampering took place as long ago as 2002. However, the matter will not result in recalls.

2018 Subaru Ascent three-row crossover SUV spotted showing off its shape

These images give us our best look so far at the Subaru Ascent, a new-for-2018 three-row crossover to fill the hole in Subaru's product lineup since the unloved Tribeca was discontinued after 2014. This prototype is lightly coated in a body-hugging camouflage wrap and appears to take its design from the Highlander-on-steroids Viziv-7 Concept that debuted at November's Los Angeles Auto Show. An exec from Subaru's parent company said at the time that "the next three-row from Subaru will be the biggest Subaru vehicle ever." That's for sure: The wheelbase is 117.7 inches and the overall vehicle measures 204.7 inches - a bit longer than a Chevy Tahoe. Subaru may well debut the production Ascent at the New York Auto Show in April. In the meantime, check out the spy shots above. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. View 14 Photos Related Video: