Subaru Impreza Outback Sport
The Subaru Impreza Outback Sport was first introduced in 1995 as an updated Impreza "L" Sport Wagon, and is currently offered only in the USA. The Outback Sport is the top trim level of the Impreza wagon model with no significant mechanical or performance changes from the lower trim levels aside from a slightly lifted suspension.
Description
The Outback Sport package was never available on the Impreza sedan or coupe from Subaru, unlike the Outback package being available on both the Legacy-based sedan and wagon (due to the size, the Outback Sport was smaller than Outback).
One engine was offered, which was the 2.2-liter, and it was the first time the 2.2 engine was used in the American Impreza. Later, the 2.5 engine was introduced. In Japan, the Impreza Sport Wagon was offered with a similar approach to the Outback Sport, calling it the Impreza Gravel Express with the WRX turbocharged engine. Subaru discontinued the Gravel Express when the second generation Impreza was introduced due to very limited sales, and introduced the Subaru Forester as a replacement. The hoodscoop found on the American Outback Sport was non-functional but was probably included because the American and Japanese versions were built at the same factory in Japan. The Outback Sport was offered with optional equipment, such as a gauge pack installed on top of the dashboard, that included a digital compass, outside temperature and barometer or altimeter readings.
- 2nd Generation
The Second Generation Outback Sport was sold in Australia for model years 2001–2007, but it was renamed as the Impreza RV with the same color scheme as the American version.[1][2] The Australian version had a dual-range manual transmission, not available in the USA. With the introduction of the Third Generation Impreza in 2008, the Impreza RV was renamed as the Impreza XV.
Subaru found some sales success with the Outback Sport as a smaller companion with similar ride height changes, body colors and trim levels to the larger, more successful selling Legacy based Outback. The Outback Sport "incorporates the performance features of an Impreza with the rugged durability of the Outback" according to the Outback Sport website,[3] continuing to offer it as a trim option of the Impreza, with exterior cosmetic and interior equipment modifications.
It is an alternative for buyers who don't like the SUV/CUV appearance of the Forester and don't need the extended ground clearance. The Outback Sport has been offered for the same amount of time as the larger Legacy wagon based Outback, but the larger Outback has seen more sales than the smaller Outback Sport. Mechanically, the Outback Sport is the same as the standard Impreza hatchback; no high-performance equipment found on the Impreza WRX or STi is included on the Outback Sport. The slight increase in ground clearance is due to the larger wheels equipped on the Outback Sport, and not a result of suspension modification.
Outback Sport models can be easily identified from the standard Sport Wagon or newly released 5-door hatchback by the color of the front and rear bumper covers and matching door rub strip that are painted a contrasting color from the paint used for the rest of the car, a coloring scheme also used on the larger Outback.
- 3rd Generation
At the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, the third generation Outback Sport was introduced to Europe with the name Impreza XV. Photographs of the European XV taken from auto shows show that the ground clearance appears to have been increased over the standard ride height of the Impreza, demonstrating a well used approach to the Forester and Legacy-based Outback.
References
Template:Nippon Fourth generation information was obtained from sales brochures from specific international markets; brochures were printed between June and September 2009.
- ^ "Australian-spec Impreza RV". Autospeed.com. Retrieved 2010-11-20.
- ^ https://www.aaa.asn.au/roadtests/reports/423.pdf Second Australian-spec Impreza RV review
- ^ http://www.subaru.com/shop/overview.jsp?model=IMPREZA&trim=SPORT&command=overview%7CUSDM Outback Sport
External links
