Subaru's Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
Subaru has adopted a chain-type CVT, the world's first longitudinally mounted CVT system for AWD production vehicles. Unlike a conventional automatic transmission, which uses fixed gear ratios, a CVT provides infinite variability between the lowest and highest available ratios with no discernable steps or shifts. The CVT continuously and smoothly adapts to performance demand, helping to keep the engine in its most efficient operating range for improved fuel economy and performance.
Because a CVT does not shift gears, the driver enjoys smoother performance in all driving situations. The selectable manual mode of the Lineartronic CVT uses six pre-selected ratios to allow the driver to "shift" manually using steering wheel paddle controls.
Equipped with the Lineartronic CVT, the Outback 2.5i uses just 9.5 L/100km city and 6.9 L/100km highway (30 mpg city/41 mpg hwy), as good as or better than many front-wheel-drive vehicles of the same size.
Front and Rear Subframes and Double Wishbone Rear Suspension
Outback employs a front cradle mount system and rear subframe to enhance comfort, handling, and safety. The strut-type front suspension features L-shaped lower arms with liquid-filled rear bushings and anti-dive geometry. The front cradle mount system is designed to also enhance frontal crash protection by helping to shunt the powertrain under the car in a strong impact and acts as a suspension crossmember.
The rear suspension is a double-wishbone configuration. The rear suspension is mounted to a full subframe that is isolated from the body structure. The double wishbone design provides excellent ride and handling characteristics, as well as a wide and low trunk space. The MacPherson-type strut front suspension is mounted to an engine cradle mount system to enhance frontal crash protection. A double-wishbone rear suspension provides excellent ride, stability, and handling.
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive-The Subaru Advantage
Subaru offers three different Symmetrical full-time All-Wheel Drive systems in the Outback line, tailored to the engine and type of transmission. In all Outback models equipped with the 6-speed manual transmission, the viscous-coupling limited-slip centre differential full-time AWD system distributes power 50/50 front to rear.
Models equipped with the Lineartronic CVT use the Multi-plate transfer clutch (MPT) version of Symmetrical AWD. An electronically managed continuously variable transfer clutch actively controls power distribution in response to driving conditions.
Outback 3.6R models exclusively feature the advanced Variable Torque Distribution (VTD) All-Wheel Drive with a 5-speed automatic transmission. A planetary centre differential works with an electronically controlled continuously variable hydraulic transfer clutch to manage power distribution. The VTD system normally sends more power to the rear wheels to enhance handling agility, and it continuously adjusts power distribution in response to driving and road conditions.
Subaru has adopted a chain-type CVT, the world's first longitudinally mounted CVT system for AWD production vehicles. Unlike a conventional automatic transmission, which uses fixed gear ratios, a CVT provides infinite variability between the lowest and highest available ratios with no discernable steps or shifts. The CVT continuously and smoothly adapts to performance demand, helping to keep the engine in its most efficient operating range for improved fuel economy and performance.
Because a CVT does not shift gears, the driver enjoys smoother performance in all driving situations. The selectable manual mode of the Lineartronic CVT uses six pre-selected ratios to allow the driver to "shift" manually using steering wheel paddle controls.
Equipped with the Lineartronic CVT, the Outback 2.5i uses just 9.5 L/100km city and 6.9 L/100km highway (30 mpg city/41 mpg hwy), as good as or better than many front-wheel-drive vehicles of the same size.
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| 2010 Subaru Outback (Photo: Subaru) |
Front and Rear Subframes and Double Wishbone Rear Suspension
Outback employs a front cradle mount system and rear subframe to enhance comfort, handling, and safety. The strut-type front suspension features L-shaped lower arms with liquid-filled rear bushings and anti-dive geometry. The front cradle mount system is designed to also enhance frontal crash protection by helping to shunt the powertrain under the car in a strong impact and acts as a suspension crossmember.
The rear suspension is a double-wishbone configuration. The rear suspension is mounted to a full subframe that is isolated from the body structure. The double wishbone design provides excellent ride and handling characteristics, as well as a wide and low trunk space. The MacPherson-type strut front suspension is mounted to an engine cradle mount system to enhance frontal crash protection. A double-wishbone rear suspension provides excellent ride, stability, and handling.
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive-The Subaru Advantage
Subaru offers three different Symmetrical full-time All-Wheel Drive systems in the Outback line, tailored to the engine and type of transmission. In all Outback models equipped with the 6-speed manual transmission, the viscous-coupling limited-slip centre differential full-time AWD system distributes power 50/50 front to rear.
Models equipped with the Lineartronic CVT use the Multi-plate transfer clutch (MPT) version of Symmetrical AWD. An electronically managed continuously variable transfer clutch actively controls power distribution in response to driving conditions.
Outback 3.6R models exclusively feature the advanced Variable Torque Distribution (VTD) All-Wheel Drive with a 5-speed automatic transmission. A planetary centre differential works with an electronically controlled continuously variable hydraulic transfer clutch to manage power distribution. The VTD system normally sends more power to the rear wheels to enhance handling agility, and it continuously adjusts power distribution in response to driving and road conditions.