Crosstrek the likely new addition to Subaru’s rugged Wilderness line-up, set for April 5 debut
Rugged Wilderness variants of the Subaru Forester and Outback SUVs are high on the agenda for launch in Australia, and now a third model looks set to come into contention.
A teaser image released by Subaru’s US division overnight keeps the car’s identity a secret for now, but our money is on the new 2023 Subaru Crosstrek, which was previously known as the XV in Australia and launches here next month.
All will be revealed at the New York motor show on April 5 – if not before – but the new Wilderness model is sure to be an SUV and the Crosstrek is a prime candidate given it’s a global car and already relatively capable in light-duty off-road conditions.
The other main contender is the larger Subaru Ascent, which is not built in right-hand drive and therefore wouldn’t be a starter for Australia, while the battery-electric Subaru Solterra is an outside chance.
The single teaser image showing the Wilderness badge runs over a contour line on the car’s body that looks like the one on the latest Crosstrek.
As per other Wilderness variants, the new model is all but certain to feature more aggressive styling, higher ground clearance, extra underbody protection and all-terrain tyres.
Subaru Outback Wilderness
A powertrain upgrade is unlikely, which in the case of the Crosstrek means the 115kW/196Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine – paired with a CVT transmission and permanent all-wheel drive – would carry over.
The Crosstrek is also available with a 110kW 2.0-litre hybrid option.
Subaru Australia has made it clear on several occasions that it will work to secure Wilderness variants for our market, with launch timing the only apparent sticking point for the Outback and Forester Wilderness this year.
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Keyword: New Subaru Wilderness model teased