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Old 02-21-2021, 01:04 PM   #1
AVANTI R5
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Default Subaru To Introduce Rugged Wilderness Sub Brand

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Subaru May Soon Have Badass Versions of the Outback and Forester
These days, two of the automotive industry's hottest trends are off-roading/overlanding...and reclassifying what used to be known as model names and trim levels into "sub-brands." Ford did it with the new Bronco. Mercedes plans to branch out the G-Wagen into its own brand. And now, we have more evidence that Subaru plans to hop on the off-road sub-brand train as well.

Recently, a Subaru dealer bigwig referenced some exciting new product arriving this year. And as spotted by Motor Trend, Subaru's Canadian trademark filings have all but confirmed that will be "Wilderness" trims en route for the Outback and Forester. Motor Trend says the Crosstrek could get a Wilderness version, as well.

Like Toyota's TRD Lift Kit for the Tacoma, the Wilderness trim/package/sub-brand should bring many modifications Subaru buyers might have made in the aftermarket in-house. Spy shots have shown Subaru SUVs riding around on raised suspensions. More robust-looking all-terrain tires, more aggressive body cladding and skid plates should make sense to pair with that. Wilderness SUVs could also get a roof rack for tents and gear, and additional terrain modes from Subaru's X-Mode system.

The name Wilderness works in isolation, although "Outback Wilderness" and "Forester Wilderness" both sound redundant when you think about it. Still, Expect the trim to be a hit with the younger, more adventurous set of Subaru SUV buyers, even if it may ultimately be more about the appearance than the functionality (as most off-road trims

Subaru To Introduce Rugged Outback And Forester Wilderness Later This Year

Subaru threw a hissy fit when word of their Wilderness sub-brand leaked out months ago, but the company has now confirmed their plans to dealers.

According to Automotive News, the sub-brand was announced at last week’s National Automobile Dealers Association meeting and will first make an appearance on the 2022 Forester and Outback.

Details are limited, but the president of Sommer’s Subaru in Mequon, Wisconsin told the publication “The Wilderness is going to give additional capabilities in those car lines, additional style and the look of off-roading to a greater degree than we have right now.” Wally Sommer went on to say the Outback Wilderness will be introduced this spring or summer, while the Forester Wilderness will follow sometime later.

Little is known about them, but we can expect a more rugged appearance, additional ground clearance and meatier tires. The models should also have special badging and possibly some interior modifications.

The Wilderness sub-brand is designed to appeal to customers looking for something more capable than the company’s mainstream models. While it remains to be seen how hardcore they will be, Sommer said “people are going to be very pleased with the product when they see it.”

Full details should be announced later this year but, in the meantime, we’ll remind you the Outback is offered with a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 182 hp (136 kW / 185 PS) and 176 lb-ft (239 Nm) of torque. The wagon can also be outfitted with a turbocharged 2.4-liter developing 260 hp (194 kW / 264 PS) and 277 lb-ft (376 Nm) of torque.

The Forester, on the other hand, is available exclusively with the aforementioned 2.5-liter engine.
https://www.autonews.com/cars-concep...ure-wilderness
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Old 02-21-2021, 01:36 PM   #2
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How hardcore can you make an Outback? Really? I get that they are trying to copy Jeep's Trackhawk thing but I just don't think the typical Subaru buyer is the same as Jeep's demographic as Subaru buyers take their cars off road no more than any typical SUV buyer.
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Old 02-21-2021, 01:48 PM   #3
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Quote:
going to give additional capabilities in those car lines, additional style and the look of off-roading
So they're going to add some stickers and new wheels but not anything actually functional?
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Old 02-21-2021, 01:52 PM   #4
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Skid plate, more ground clearance, and meatier tires are a good complement to the X-Mode.
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Old 02-21-2021, 01:56 PM   #5
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So they are going to throw all the parts from the OEM "off-road" catalog at it (skid plates, etc.), add in a 1" lift kit, plus some "appearance" mods and charge a few grand for it. Are they going to bring back Crocodile Dundee while they are at it, holding his big knife this time so he's more rugged and extreme?

This is a pure cash grab and far easier for Subaru than actually engineering something (like a compelling STI replacement, but I digress). I guess I can't blame Subaru if people will pay a premium for this stuff. This saved the brand in America 25 years ago, I wonder if there's enough magic for a second act.
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Old 02-21-2021, 01:57 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chanomatik View Post
Skid plate, more ground clearance, and meatier tires are a good complement to the X-Mode.
I'm pretty sure 99% of people purchasing this will never take their Subaru off roading anywhere that requires a skid plate or more ground clearance. This is simply an attempt at making a few more bucks off the cost of an extra badge and there's nothing wrong with that I suppose.
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Old 02-21-2021, 02:35 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by heavyD View Post
I'm pretty sure 99% of people purchasing this will never take their Subaru off roading anywhere that requires a skid plate or more ground clearance. This is simply an attempt at making a few more bucks off the cost of an extra badge and there's nothing wrong with that I suppose.
Same can be said about any Jeep Trailhawks.
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Old 02-21-2021, 04:21 PM   #8
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Always the haters surface.
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Old 02-21-2021, 04:25 PM   #9
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Always the haters surface.
If we're not all sucking off a corporation's profits for its mild press releases, we're haters?

Subaru isn't your friend.
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Old 02-21-2021, 04:38 PM   #10
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Old 02-21-2021, 04:48 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by heavyD View Post
I'm pretty sure 99% of people purchasing this will never take their Subaru off roading anywhere that requires a skid plate or more ground clearance. This is simply an attempt at making a few more bucks off the cost of an extra badge and there's nothing wrong with that I suppose.
It's not like it's going to be a high-volume seller. There apparently seem to be enough people to warrant the additional trim. Plus people who want to join in on the fun but aren't willing to make the extra effort to procure the parts and install themselves will eat these up.

I had to take a break from the Impreza FB group because I got tired of people who are too cheap and/or lazy to get stuff done the right way on whatever they're trying to mod. A Wilderness Edition Subaru is exactly for those people. Especially when they're always worried about voiding their warranty.

"If I replace my OEM lug nuts, will my warranty be voided?"
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Old 02-21-2021, 06:57 PM   #12
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I am holding out for the Wilderness Sport.

Peace,

Greg
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Old 02-21-2021, 07:01 PM   #13
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Wilderness BRZ
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Old 02-21-2021, 07:30 PM   #14
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Didn't Subaru already do this in the late 90's with the Legacy sedan.
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Old 02-21-2021, 07:39 PM   #15
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Legacy wagon first. Sedan second. Protif!
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Old 02-21-2021, 08:48 PM   #16
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Wilderness is defined in the sedan segment.
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Old 02-21-2021, 09:10 PM   #17
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Turbo forester or **** off with this BS.
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Old 02-21-2021, 09:21 PM   #18
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lmao all they did was photoshop a forester into the wilderness
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Old 02-21-2021, 10:30 PM   #19
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Didn't Subaru lift their cars, add roll cage, turbo, and go win races in the back woods of Europe? Any chance that is what they mean? Sarcasm meant.
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Old 02-21-2021, 10:50 PM   #20
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Wilderness is defined in the sedan segment.


Quoted for truth.
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Old 02-22-2021, 02:25 AM   #21
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I'm interested in a 3" *drop* kit for Outback XT; complete with steering geometry correction.
I can pay :-).
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Old 02-22-2021, 06:31 AM   #22
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I'd be even slightly interested in the Legacy XT if there was an aftermarket front bumper. I can't stand all that black plastic. Even on the Outback it's a bit much, but I don't mind it as much because it's an Outback.

Find me that aftermarket Legacy bumper and I'll find you a lowered OBXT without cladding and an aftermarket Legacy front bumper.
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Old 02-22-2021, 09:37 AM   #23
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Same can be said about any Jeep Trailhawks.
Absolutely but on the flip side you will see a heck of a lot more Jeeps in the wild than Subarus. Maybe this is a response to the Bronco popularity where Subaru wants people to know they can do rugged as well?
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Old 02-22-2021, 10:22 AM   #24
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Absolutely but on the flip side you will see a heck of a lot more Jeeps in the wild than Subarus. Maybe this is a response to the Bronco popularity where Subaru wants people to know they can do rugged as well?
I see a lot more Subarus in the wild doing normal outdoor activities but it could be I'm located in Colorado. Outside of Wranglers and old Cherokees, the rest act like mall crawlers and doing things that the Subarus are doing.
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Old 02-22-2021, 10:56 AM   #25
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Absolutely but on the flip side you will see a heck of a lot more Jeeps in the wild than Subarus. Maybe this is a response to the Bronco popularity where Subaru wants people to know they can do rugged as well?
Not true. Where I live you see a lot more Jeeps in the city than out in the real wild. We did a trip up to northern BC 2 years ago, and could hardly find a Jeep up there. Lot of trucks, of course. But what surprised me, too, was how many Subaru's were up there, way more than Jeeps.


I read somewhere that one of Subaru's largest vol dealers is in AK.
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