New York show: Subaru teases Outback

SUBARU has teased its new-generation Outback crossover, due in local showrooms early next year, ahead of its official global debut at the New York motor show later this month.

A single image released by Subaru overnight shows a front quarter of the new Outback, revealing a headlight design in keeping with its donor car – the Liberty – that was unveiled at the Chicago motor show in February.

The design is expected to follow the formula of previous-generation Outbacks and feature an increased ride height and SUV-style black cladding on the lower part of the front and rear bumpers, and on the lower side panels.

Subaru’s new grille design is evident in the teaser image, and the clamshell bonnet from the Liberty also remains, but the fog-lights gain a black surround that differentiates it slightly from its sedan sibling.

Describing the Outback as its flagship crossover model, Subaru said the new model would blend “car-like handling and sports utility vehicle capability”.

As GoAuto has previously reported, the Japanese car-maker will ditch the regular Liberty wagon for its sixth-generation mid-size contender and will instead place a bigger emphasis on the Outback crossover.

Subaru Australia managing director Nick Senior told GoAuto at the WRX media launch last week that the company saw a big future for the Outback in Australia and expected new the model to perform well.

“Outback has got a little bit of uniqueness. There are not a lot of direct competitors, so we see that as a bit of an opportunity for that car. So that’s where a lot of the focus will be.”

The loss of the Liberty wagon follows Subaru’s decision to axe the seven-seat Tribeca SUV last year, leaving the Outback as the only large crossover in its line-up. The smaller Levorg performance wagon that was previewed at last year’s Tokyo motor show is expected to join the local line-up in mid 2015.

The Liberty sedan range is expected to go on sale locally in late 2014 and the Outback is set to arrive in Subaru’s Australian showrooms in early 2015.

Further details about the Outback will be released when the high-riding wagon makes its debut at New York later this month.