2015 Subaru Outback

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Geektastic

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#171024 2-Apr-2015 11:10

I just test drove one of these.

It has an amazing feature in it called Eyesight, that uses stereo cameras to interpret the world in front of the car, allowing the car to mitigate collisions by applying brakes, warning the driver of obstacles ahead, warning of lane sway (e.g. due to tiredness) and lane departure and maintaining distance from the vehicle in front when Cruise is on (even going as far as stopping the vehicle completely when the car in front stops at the lights etc!).

Of course it isn't infallible and the driver is in charge etc, but it is a pretty amazing (and Geeky) driver aid, I thought.

Does anyone have a Subaru with it?

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#1275974 2-Apr-2015 11:13

Mazda have the same thing, although you need to get the higher up models to get all the features. Is it on all outback models, or just the higher ones?

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#1275977 2-Apr-2015 11:21

mattwnz: Mazda have the same thing, although you need to get the higher up models to get all the features. Is it on all outback models, or just the higher ones?

The only one that does not have it (and I don't know why) is the diesel one.

All the petrol ones do, regardless of trim level. However the range is simplified to just Sport (cloth seats, base level toys, 2.5 litre engine) and Premium (leather and more toys, same 2.5 litre engine), with the Premium also coming (for a huge $10,000 extra cost) with a 3.6 engine plus a couple of other toys. The diesel comes in Sport and Premium, costs more but gets no Eyesight.

For some reason the 2 litre turbo engine used in the Forester XT is not available in the Outback.

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#1276025 2-Apr-2015 12:25

It is great technology, but wish that safety features like this were standard, no matter what your budget is. I wonder how many lives would be saved, and their would be less insurance claims. For example rear cameras these days on SUVs should be mandatory, as many accidents with hitting kids occur with reversing, due to their poor reversing visibility. Some manufacturers have them as standard now, but others only include them on their premium models.

Talkiet

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#1276038 2-Apr-2015 12:44

Not yet but I have a Skyline on the water from Japan with all those features as well. Looking forward to it.

Cheers - N

Please note all comments are from my own brain and don't necessarily represent the position or opinions of my employer, previous employers, colleagues, friends or pets.

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#1276055 2-Apr-2015 13:09

Talkiet: Not yet but I have a Skyline on the water from Japan with all those features as well. Looking forward to it.

Cheers - N

Ooo... what'd you get ? :D

(Disclaimer: Skyline nut)

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#1276057 2-Apr-2015 13:10

Geektastic:

For some reason the 2 litre turbo engine used in the Forester XT is not available in the Outback.

I didnt think Outbacks were ever turbo :-/ (quick google)

Oh, appears the Chinese ones were.... weird... :)

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jonathan18

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#1276061 2-Apr-2015 13:14

Brands using this type of technology also add new features with revamps to their models, eg the recent revamp to the Mazda 6 has seen them add features like 'driver attention alert' to the technology in the Limited models, neither of which are present with my 2013 6 Limited.

Subaru have being using Eyesight in their cars for a few years now (about the first 'mainstream' brand to provide this tech?), but I'm betting that they too have been adding additional features with each update.

Now I'd be very reluctant to look at buying a car without this technology, but agree it would be nice for it to filter down to the more affordable models in the range (in Mazda's case, anyway - obviously more generously offered by Subaru). It will do so, but may take time.

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Talkiet

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#1276063 2-Apr-2015 13:16

xpd:
Talkiet: Not yet but I have a Skyline on the water from Japan with all those features as well. Looking forward to it.

Cheers - N

Ooo... what'd you get ? :D

(Disclaimer: Skyline nut)

2009 J50 Skyline Crossover. 51k on it. Same as Infiniti EX37 and Nissan 370GT.

RWD, 330BHP. All the toys (Around view monitor, Radar cruise control, Intelligent Brake assist, Blind spot warning, Lane departure warning and prevention etc etc etc.)

Should arrive in Lyttleton on the 18th and then has to be complied before I get it. Maybe up to 2 weeks after that.

Cheers - N

[edit: apparently 0-100k in about 6 seconds]

Please note all comments are from my own brain and don't necessarily represent the position or opinions of my employer, previous employers, colleagues, friends or pets.

Geektastic

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#1276069 2-Apr-2015 13:18

xpd:
Geektastic:

For some reason the 2 litre turbo engine used in the Forester XT is not available in the Outback.

I didnt think Outbacks were ever turbo :-/ (quick google)

Oh, appears the Chinese ones were.... weird... :)

If Forester can be, so can Outback. The naturally aspirated 2.5 is fine but merely average - and on the slow side of average, just about managing 0-100 in under 10 seconds. Looking at the Turbo performance, the fuel economy and so on, it would be a good option for the Outback probably only another $5,000 instead of $10,000 and worse fuel economy with the 3.6 (which accounts for only 20% of Outback sales in any case I believe).

I'd probably go diesel if it had the Eyesight. Can't really see why it doesn't and the dealer could not tell me either.

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#1276091 2-Apr-2015 13:47

Reviews indicate it is available with the UK diesel cvt model. Not manual for obvious reasons.

Disrespective

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#1276101 2-Apr-2015 13:58

I test drove a 2012 Legacy and it had the i-sight feature. It was unnerving having it bring me to a full stop at the lights without touching the brakes. It didn't take off again when the car in front took off though. Probably a good thing.

I picked up a Volvo V70 which has a similar feature but disengages under 30kph I think. There is an emergency auto brake but will be all bells and alarms if it activates.

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#1276135 2-Apr-2015 14:40

Disrespective: I test drove a 2012 Legacy and it had the i-sight feature. It was unnerving having it bring me to a full stop at the lights without touching the brakes. It didn't take off again when the car in front took off though. Probably a good thing.

I picked up a Volvo V70 which has a similar feature but disengages under 30kph I think. There is an emergency auto brake but will be all bells and alarms if it activates.

The Subaru Cruise Control will take off after the car in front from standstill if you touch the accelerator pedal lightly or press 'Set' again on the steering wheel controls!

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#1276200 2-Apr-2015 15:49

jonathan18: Brands using this type of technology also add new features with revamps to their models, eg the recent revamp to the Mazda 6 has seen them add features like 'driver attention alert' to the technology in the Limited models, neither of which are present with my 2013 6 Limited.

Subaru have being using Eyesight in their cars for a few years now (about the first 'mainstream' brand to provide this tech?), but I'm betting that they too have been adding additional features with each update.

Now I'd be very reluctant to look at buying a car without this technology, but agree it would be nice for it to filter down to the more affordable models in the range (in Mazda's case, anyway - obviously more generously offered by Subaru). It will do so, but may take time.

I noticed that the facelifted mazda cx-5 non limited model, has some of these features, such as the slower speed collision control, just not the lane guidance one. So looks like they are filtering them down into the lower models, as they come up for refresh. Just a pity you have to upgrade to the leather seats, sunroof etc, to get the other safety features on most brands at the moment.

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#1276243 2-Apr-2015 16:42

I remember seeing a TV piece about Volvo who where trialling something that sprayed a mist of water in the driver's face if it detected you falling asleep!

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#1276246 2-Apr-2015 16:44

i hate this sort of new tech that takes the joy out of driving.

call me old fashioned but i like to be in control of the car all the time.

driver aids need not apply.

next they'll have cars that can drive themselves...

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