The lifted, rougher-road ready Subaru Outback Wilderness has been revealed in the US, and is ready for adventure but don’t expect to see it in Australia.
In the US, there’s a big move towards building up Subarus for overlanding, and it’s not just the US that’s getting into it. MotoFomo recently featured a Forester build from Europe that was ready for off-roading, and Ironman 4×4 has released a suspension lift kit for current-generation Subarus.
The Outback Wilderness variant adds some of what overlanders in the US are already doing to their Outbacks but adds some factory-backed development, warranty and support.
Subaru of America is calling it the “most rugged and capable Outback in the auto manufacturer’s history”. So, what makes it so special?
It gets a suspension lift kit, raising ground clearance to a claimed 241mm, up from around 225mm, it gets a front skid plate, and all-terrain tyres wrapped around 17-inch alloys. The front and rear bumpers were also redesigned.
According to Subaru, “The suspension has been tuned for improved stability on rough terrain while retaining ride comfort and handling performance on the open road. The front and rear shock absorbers and springs were increased in length to provide more ground clearance and suspension travel”.
Approach angles have been improved from 18.6 degrees to 20.0, ramp breakover angle improves from 19.4 degrees to 21.2 degrees, and the departure angle is up from 21.7 degrees to 23.6 degrees.
A revised rear differential with a final drive ratio of 4.44:1 was fitted, and the CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) was “modified to achieve an equivalent final drive ratio at the front wheels”.
To stand it apart from the rest of the range, the Outback Wilderness adds a new hexagonal front grille, larger wheel arch cladding, unique hex-designed LED fog lights and an anti-glare hood decal in matte-black finish. Window trim and exterior badges have a black finish and new Subaru Wilderness badges are emblazoned on the front fenders and rear tailgate.
For those who want to throw a roof top tent on top, then there’s a new ladder-type roof rack with a static load limit of 300kg. There are a range of extra accessories available, including more underbody protection.
The Outback Wilderness won’t come to Australia, but here’s hoping that Subaru Australia realises the growing demand for adventure ready vehicles with factory backing, and releases its own, Australian developed, lifted Outback.
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