New B9X to offer Taller SUV-Like Dimensions and 7-Passenger Seating

In 1994 Subaru brought the sport utility vehicle world to its collective knees with one vehicle, the Legacy-based 1995 Outback Wagon. Its hard not to remember the television and print ads of Australian actor Paul Hogan (Crocodile Dundee) plowing through rocky, desert-like terrain in a jacked-up, plastic-clad station wagon, out-maneuvering, out-accelerating and simply put, out-driving the competition.

With these bold 30-second televised statements, Subaru ushered in a new niche of vehicle - the crossover wagon cum sport utility. The crossover concept caught on rapidly, with inspiration spreading to vehicles such as Audis Allroad quattro station wagon and Volvos V70/XC70 at first, and a multitude of others

In 1994 Subaru ushered in a new niche of vehicle - the crossover wagon cum sport utility. The current 2005 Outback (shown) continues this heritage. (Photo: Subaru of America)

Continuing on with the trend it set, Subaru expanded its Outback range to include the Impreza Outback wagon and Legacy Outback sedan based variants. At the same time, the Outback lineup was the quirky Japanese manufacturers active statement that permanent all-wheel drive, decent levels of ground clearance and plenty of cargo room didnt mean that a vehicle had to be packaged in a tall sport utility bodyshell.

Nearly

The Outback proved that a practical and capable vehicle didnt need to be packaged in a tall sport utility bodyshell, a theme still popular today. (Photo: Subaru of America)

This time it will be focusing on improving brand image to move the company upmarket. The first vehicle to be launched under this new theme is the B9X, a seven-seater crossover utility vehicle - Subarus first attempt at building a true sport utility vehicle. "This is a significant milestone for Subaru," stated Kunio Ishigami, Chairman, President and CEO of Subaru of America, Inc. "The Subaru B9X combines a bold new design with the trademark

The B9X, a seven-seater crossover utility vehicle - will be Subarus first attempt at building a true sport utility vehicle. (Photo: Subaru of America)

At the vehicles announcement in Miami, Florida, Subaru of Americas Executive Vice President, Fred Adcock, said, "The B9X is intended to be the next step up for current Legacy or Outback owners looking to move up in size, flexibility, feature content and refinement. It is no coincidence that we are here in Miami, a market well-known for its trend setting style, with an all-new Subaru. This vehicle represents more than just a new style of Subaru. With its fun-to-drive handling and interior flexibility, this is also a Subaru that will appeal to a larger audience."

What prompted Subaru to jump on

The upcoming Saab 9-6X will be built on the Subaru B9X platform, similar to their Trailblazer/Envoy-based 9-7X (shown). (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

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