![]() ![]() The first TV ad pitching the new Outback had Hogan/Dundee spell out the qualities of the vehicle in succinct fashion. For the third entry, released in 2001, they placed the character at the wheel of… an Outback. His weathered face, easy charm and engaging accent were familiar to fans worldwide thanks to the first two movies in the franchise (released in 19). Perhaps inspired by the landscape and by the kangaroos residing in it, Subaru’s marketing gurus came up with the perfect spokesperson for the Outback: Australian actor Paul Hogan, AKA Crocodile Dundee. ![]() It was a very apropos location, given that the nameplate refers to the country’s massive desert-like interior. Proof of that, in chronological order, can be found in the fun Brat (1971-1981), the weird XT coupe (1985-1991), the superb SVX (1991-1996) and the Baja (2003-2006), which circled back to try to relight the flame that was the Brat.įor the first Outback, made by the way by a company the name of which signifies both a constellation of stars (hence the brand’s logo) and the act of coming together, the model’s engineers decamped for Australia to put it through some rigorous testing. New and eccentric models were almost a trademark for the Japanese brand. But still, this new Subaru was different from anything out there, and that’s perhaps not that surprising given that Subaru never had a problem thinking outside the box. Although not quite, 100-percent original, because the Eagle produced by the American Motor Corporation (AMC) between 19 had been there, done that. That was the brainchild of designer Olivier Boulay (thank you Wikipedia). Subaru also gave it anti-fog lights, bigger tires and a bunch of black exterior elements that made it look armoured. The vehicle got a raised roof and increased ground clearance as well as a firmed-up suspension. The reason you can guess at – it was essentially a 1994 Legacy sedan transformed into an AWD wagon. Back then, in the mid-1990s, they called it the Legacy Outback and, in Japan, the Legacy Grand Wagon. The first Outback to make a public appearance did so at the New York Auto Show. But for that, you need the right car!Įnter stage left: the Subaru Outback Wilderness. And the message is clear: Heck no, you’re not dead yet, or even ready for the retirement home. This is a message directed, in part, at baby boomers. Those representing us in those ads have perfect smiles revealing perfect teeth, and heartily slap each on the back in congratulations for not being couch potatoes. We roar on mountain bikes through calf-deep mud lakes, and we won’t rest until we can rest on a bed of pine needles in a forest under the midnight sky. ![]() ![]() Judging by the fertile minds of the marketing geniuses, it seems we’re all a bunch of gardeners, kayakers, cyclists and campers. See also: 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness Long-Term Review, Part 2: The Wilderness beneath the badgingĮver noticed how many car ads focus on the multiple outdoorsy physical activities supposedly engaged in by those consumers expected to buy the vehicle? See also: 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness First Drive: Into the Wild Today, part one, in which we delve into the model’s origin story. It’s time to move on, though, and so we do, with a 6-part review of the all-new Wilderness variant of the 2022 Subaru Outback. One year ago to the day (plus one), we gave you the opening chapter in our long-term review of the Kia Niro EV. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |