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 and 239 Nm of torque. The wagon can also be outfitted
with a turbocharged 2.4-liter developing 260 hp and 376 Nm of torque.
The Forester, on the other hand, is
available exclusively with the aforementioned 2.5-liter engine.
