Subaru Impreza Outback Sport Special Edition Offers New Features

SUBARU PRESS RELEASE
Subaru of America, Inc., the only automobile company to offer Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive as a standard feature on every car in its product line, has introduced the Impreza Outback Sport Special Edition with enhanced interior features and comfort and with excellent value for the customer.

The Special Edition package includes $1,500 worth of options while adding just $500 to the manufacturer's suggested retail price of the standard Outback Sport model. The Subaru Outback Sport combines the style, utility and outdoors appeal of a small SUV with the performance and comfort of a passenger car. All Impreza and Outback Sport models gain a redesigned, premium interior and other enhancements for 2005.

The Outback Sport Special Edition adds to a lengthy standard equipment roster. A rear gate spoiler accents the exterior design. Inside, a 260-watt AM/FM premium sound system with a 6-disc in-dash CD changer and six upgraded speakers, including a sub-woofer, provides clean, powerful sound. Comfort is enhanced by a leather-wrapped shifter handle, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and parking brake handle, an auto-dimming compass rear-view mirror and a center console armrest extension.

"Standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive is the number one reason customers choose Outback Sport over competitors," said Fred Adcock, Executive V.P., Subaru of America. "Many competitors, and even some small SUVs, offer all-wheel drive only as an extra-cost option. The new Special Edition Package helps make Outback Sport an even more compelling choice."

Fun-to-drive performance is also part of Outback Sport's appeal. The 165-horsepower boxer engine is one of the most powerful standard engines in the segment, and fuel efficiency has been improved for 2005. With a high-strength body structure and 4-wheel independent suspension, Outback Sport models deliver crisp, taut handling and precise steering response. Steel gray metallic lower body color, side moldings and bumpers, plus projector-beam halogen fog lights and 7-spoke 16-inch alloy wheels highlight the sporty, rugged styling on both Outback Sport models.

The Outback Sport SE offers two new exterior colors exclusive to this model: Aqua Blue Metallic with Crystal Gray lower body color and Steel Gray Metallic with Crystal Gray lower body color.Outback Sport models provide a generous 27.9 cu. ft. of cargo space behind the rear seat, which expands to 61.6 cu. ft. with the standard 60/40 split rear seatback folded down. The standard 12-volt cargo area power outlet, factory Subaru roof rack and rear bumper step pad enhance utility in Outback Sport models. The 2.5-liter 4-cylinder boxer engine produces 165 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 166 lb.-ft. of peak torque at 4,000 rpm. Performance and response have been enhanced for 2005 by the addition of an Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) system and multi-spray fuel injectors.

The 5-speed manual transmission models achieve 23 mpg city / 30 mpg highway EPA fuel mileage estimates, compared to 21/28 mpg for the 2004 models. The optional 4-speed direct control automatic transmission provides more responsive performance for 2005, especially when driving in hills. The Outback Sport models employ two different versions of Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, depending on the transmission. Models with the 5-speed manual transmission feature a viscous coupling locking center differential that distributes power 50/50 front to rear. Models with the 4-speed direct control automatic transmission employ an electronically managed continuously variable transfer clutch that actively manages the power distribution based on acceleration, deceleration and available traction. Both systems power all four wheels all the time and will transfer more power to the wheels with the best grip should slippage occur.

All Impreza and Outback Sport models come standard with a 4-channel / 4-sensor Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) that incorporates Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD).