20 Oct 2006

Subaru’s model year 2007 Liberty 3.0R spec.B has rated highly in a road test published in today’s Herald Sun newspaper.

Motoring editor, Paul Gover, awarded Liberty 3.0R spec.B an overall score of 82/100 placing it ahead of rivals.

Tagged as the car of the future, Gover writes:

“The latest Subaru Liberty has a fuel-saver system that could easily set the standard for future development of intelligent engine management controls.
 
“Pitched as a performance booster in the new Liberty, it could be applied to almost any make or model as a way of coping with a world of high fuel prices and green priorities.”

Impressed with the flexibility of Subaru Intelligent Drive, Gover wrote: “We began to play with the settings and the car revealed its character and flexibility.

“In Sport it was much more like the car we remembered, and in Sports Sharp it was a real rabble rouser.

“We flicked between settings as we changed roads and traffic and were surprised by how easy it was to tune the car for the conditions. And our fuel economy was great at 10.1 litres per 100km, even with some spirited driving.

“Some are already dismissing SI-Drive as a gimmick, but that overlooks the intelligence of the system and the potential to tailor a car to the conditions and the driver's mood.

“The SI-Drive is more than just a here-and-now technology tweak.”

“Lusty and keen, with an engine that responded to the lightest pedal tickle.

“Seats were comfy and supportive, the excellent McIntosh sound system was as punchy as we remembered.

Gover sums up the Liberty 3.0R spec.B as, “A sweet and sensible car with the smartest drive system we have seen in ages.”

For the full review see today’s Herald Sun motoring section.