Subaru Outback Diesel?

Submitted: Wednesday, Apr 13, 2011 at 18:31

ThreadID: 85598 Views:3961 Replies:5 FollowUps:3

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Axle

I"ve noticed Subaru have been doing a lot of advertising for their latest outback, ....They mention The Boxer diesel in their engine line up, interesting concept! Anyone know anything about this motor??, can't see subaru building a bad motor..

Cheers Axle

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Reply By: garrycol - Wednesday, Apr 13, 2011 at 19:47

Wednesday, Apr 13, 2011 at 19:47

Has been around for a while. Not the greatest diesel around - power is adequate rather than great and fuel consumption again is adequate.

Dual range box is gone.

Garry

AnswerID: 451168

Reply By: Falco80 - Wednesday, Apr 13, 2011 at 21:05

Wednesday, Apr 13, 2011 at 21:05

I've had the Forester diesel for a couple of months now and it's the same engine. The little boxer diesel is not too bad for their first attempt. It's best driven while it's on boost spinning at or above 2000rpm, and if you keep it in the torque curve it is great to drive, especially in hilly areas. There's been a few issues with the Diesel Particulate Filter light coming on and it's apparently related to oil dilution. I had issues with mine when it hit 9000k's, but it's been fine since. I travel 1000k's a week for work and i don't pussy-foot it around. The engine is starting to loosen up a bit now and my fuel economy is getting better with on average low 6L/km figures. The only come in 6-speed manual, but thats what i wanted. Gear-shift and clutch takes a bit to get used too, compared to my old 80 series anyway! Overall, i'm warming up to this little hi-tech diesel, and hopefully it proves reliable in the future.

AnswerID: 451175

Follow Up By: Axle - Wednesday, Apr 13, 2011 at 21:44

Wednesday, Apr 13, 2011 at 21:44

G/Day Falco 80, Thats impressive fuel economy figues....So which motor did they convert to diesel?

Cheers Axle.

FollowupID: 723782

Reply By: MEMBER - Darian, SA - Wednesday, Apr 13, 2011 at 21:54

Wednesday, Apr 13, 2011 at 21:54

Awhile back Jeremy Clarkson did a review on the first Outback to have the boxer diesel - he bagged it, saying that the motor was totally unsuited to the vehicle, as I recall. This might be the same engine ? I know Jeremy is 50% showbusiness, but in amongst the hilarity, there are usually a few truths to be found :-o).
One such report.............. maybe of use.
Clarkson - Subaru diesel

AnswerID: 451186

Follow Up By: Crackles - Wednesday, Apr 13, 2011 at 23:45

Wednesday, Apr 13, 2011 at 23:45

It seems if a car can't do 0 to 100 in under 4 seconds Clarkson doesn't want anything to do with it. His main concern with this diesel enginge was it's lack of power down low. Same could be said of the Nissan Patrol too but really this diesel 4by is a road car first & foremost with some added traction for poor conditions. A car that gets 6L per 100 but can still manage 200kph & 0 to 100 in 9 secomds can't be too bad.
Lets remember he drives a Range Rover so what could he possibly know about 4x4's, particually reliable ones ;-)
Cheers Craig.......................

FollowupID: 723796

Follow Up By: Falco80 - Thursday, Apr 14, 2011 at 06:22

Thursday, Apr 14, 2011 at 06:22

Yeah, a lot of people who have the idea in their head that these diesel engines can be lugged complain about the lack of power. The boxer diesel is not an old-school lug-it-from-dle engine. In my opinion if you lug this engine around under 2000rpm your doing more harm than good and just clogging up the diesel particulate filter. It needs to be on boost or coming onto boost to produce torque. How else are they going to get 350nm out of a measly 2 litre 4 banger? Even though it cannot rev out like a petrol motor, you have to keep it spinning within a certain range to have any decent power. It ensures your always busy with the gear stick, which i don't mind.

FollowupID: 723804

Reply By: PhilD - Wednesday, Apr 13, 2011 at 22:52

Wednesday, Apr 13, 2011 at 22:52

I have had one since they came out. Great car in my view, and I have had 4 Subarus and there are 2 more currently driven by my kids. Very reliable car and great to drive as I like manuals, but as is mentioned, you need to keep the turbo spinning in hilly areas and when under load. I get 5.8l/100 on long runs, and about 7.0 when in traffic and driving up steep hills to get home.

AnswerID: 451192