Subaru Liberty updated

SUBARU'S Liberty range receives a minor facelift this month and the range-topping Heritage wagon gains a high-tech stability control system.

External modifications are limited to revised front bumpers and projector-type fog lamps on RX and Heritage variants.

These models also gain colour-coded side protectors and new five-spoke alloy wheels.

Interior trim is enhanced in RX models and silver-surround instruments and dark woodgrain console finish are introduced across the range.

The upper and lower section of the RX and Heritage dashboards now have an integrated black finish, replacing the black and grey look.

Subaru says the Heritage's new Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) is a stability system specially tuned for Australian conditions.

VDC uses information from sensors tracking wheel speed, steering position, front/back and lateral (sideways) G force, and yaw rate to monitor forces that could destabilise the vehicle.

In cases of extreme oversteer, VDC activates, applying brakes to the front and rear outside wheels, producing yaw - a force that opposes the oversteering tendency. An indicator light flashes on the instrument panel to alert the driver to VDC's operation.

Subaru says VDC is designed for a "driver's vehicle". In normal conditions it is purely a monitoring system and applies no control.

Equipment upgrades in the RX and Heritage include a single audio unit comprising a CD player, radio and cassette.

The Liberty Heritage also has a six-stack CD changer, located beneath the front passenger seat.

Passive safety levels are enhanced by B-pillars reinforced to provide better side impact protection.

Other upgrades include a remote control fob now integrated with the key into a single unit. Previous models had separate key and remote control.

Liberty pricing:
Liberty GX sedan manual $29,380
Liberty GX sedan auto $31,250
Liberty GX wagon manual $31,250
Liberty GX wagon auto $33,120
Liberty RX sedan manual $35,620
Liberty RX sedan auto $37,490
Liberty RX wagon manual $37,020
Liberty RX wagon auto $38,890
Liberty Heritage sedan auto $40,520
Liberty Heritage wagon auto $45,140