Subaru is adding a 2.0 litre variant to its 2006 Liberty range, with a recommended retail price starting from $31,990.

The Liberty 2.0R’s lively 2.0 litre double overhead camshaft engine produces an impressive 121 Kilowatts of power at 6,800 rpm and 187 Newtonmetres of torque at 3,200 rpm.

The single overhead camshaft 2.0 litre engine previously available on entry-level Liberty produced 101kW – nearly 20 per cent less than the new engine.

Liberty 2.0R shares the same five-star independent ANCAP crashworthiness rating for occupant safety as all other Liberty variants. It features standard dual front, side and curtain airbags.

The Liberty range has been further refined with the removal of the 2.5i and re-pricing of the 2.5i Safety Pack from $35,990 (RRP), a saving of $1,500 on each Safety Pack variant.

Liberty 2.0R’s impressive specification list includes:

• All-Wheel Drive
• ABS brakes
• Adjustable steering column
• Climate control air conditioning
• Cruise control
• Dual exhausts
• Dual front, side and curtain airbags
• Electronic throttle control
• Fog lamps – front
• Height adjustable driver’s seat
• Leather steering wheel, gear shift and park brake
• Multi-function trip computer
• Power windows, mirrors and steering
• Remote central locking
• Sportshift on automatic variants
• 17 inch alloy wheels
• Six speaker AM/FM radio CD player

Nick Senior, Managing Director, Subaru Australia, said: “The introduction of 2.0R will broaden the appeal of our Liberty range to a new set of customers who have previously aspired to own a Liberty."

“Our customer feedback consistently shows that people regard Liberty as very well equipped and the 2.0R highlights this further, as an entry level car that boasts class-leading safety and engineering with the benefits of full time All-Wheel Drive and a responsive Boxer engine.”

Mr Senior said that while Liberty 2.0R would initially be available in limited numbers, it would give Subaru a slice of the buoyant medium car market in the $30,000-$34,000 price range.

“There are considerable volume opportunities in that price range which we haven’t been able to exploit since the loss of the SOHC 2.0 litre Liberty. The new variant comes in at the same price but with 20 per cent more power."

“With this well-equipped, sporty All-Wheel Drive Liberty we are prepared for a bigger slice of the action in the medium car segment."

“It will be supported by an even sportier limited edition of the 2.0R with leather trim, boot spoiler and other extra features. More details on this model will be announced next week.”

The full MY06 Liberty range now comprises:

Liberty 2.0R manual sedan	$31,990
Liberty 2.0R Sportshift automatic sedan	$33,990
Liberty 2.0R manual wagon	$33,990
Liberty 2.0R Sportshift automatic wagon	$35,990
Liberty 2.5i Safety Pack manual sedan	$35,990
Liberty 2.5i Safety Pack Sportshift automatic sedan	$38,490
Liberty 2.5i Safety Pack manual wagon	$37,990
Liberty 2.5i Safety Pack Sportshift automatic wagon	$40,490
Liberty 2.5i Premium Pack Sportshift automatic sedan	$42,990
Liberty 2.5i Premium Pack Sportshift automatic wagon	$44,990
Liberty 3.0R Sportshift automatic sedan	$50,990
Liberty 3.0R Sportshift automatic wagon	$52,990
Liberty 3.0R spec. B manual sedan	$51,990
Liberty 3.0R spec. B Sportshift automatic sedan	$50,990
Liberty 3.0R spec. B manual wagon	$53,990
Liberty 3.0R spec. B Sportshift automatic wagon	$52,990

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