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23/12/2011
REVIEW by EWAN KENNEDY
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Midway through 2010 Subaru invited us to a full days’ demonstration of a prototype version of its EyeSight system. Subaru engineers were in Australia to fine tune EyeSight to unique Australian needs. Now this lifesaving feature has reached production and is installed in the toplne Liberty 3.6R Premium model.
Unlike most other crash avoidance and mitigation systems, Subaru's EyeSight uses cameras, rather than radar. Stereo cameras are mounted inside the windscreen on either side of the interior rear vision mirror and use triangulation to estimate distances and angles of objects in front of the Subaru. This information is sent to a computer that calculates which objects require immediate action, and those that merely have to be monitored in case things change.
Subaru says cameras give a much clearer picture of what’s in front of the vehicle radar as they don’t have to rely on reflections coming back from other objects. Anything that can be seen by the human eye will create an image behind the cameras’ lenses. Subaru engineers say radar may not ‘see’ pedestrians, cyclists or animals.
One test we performed was driving up to the back of a foam rubber ‘car’ at 30 km/h and pretending we were too distracted to use the brakes. We seemingly got far too close to the ‘vehicle’ in front when the Subaru sounded a warning buzzer and jammed the brakes on hard. We came to a stop less than a metre from the car.
If the speed difference between your car and the one it's approaching is less than 30 km/h EyeSight can prevent a collision, above that speed a collision will take place, but the consequences will be less severe.
Subaru's EyeSight can also detect when a car is wandering out of its lane. It can even warn of possible driver drowsiness. If EyeSight thinks the Liberty is moving erratically it computes that the driver may be dozing off and sounds a warning.
EyeSight technology is also used in Subaru’s active cruise control. This lets the Liberty keep a steady time or distance behind the vehicle in front when cruise is activated.
A safety reminder: systems like Subaru’s EyeSight are there to help the driver not replace them and certainly not to take over driving duties while fools compose text messages, check emails or do other dangerous things.
The latest all-seeing Subaru Liberty 3.6R Premium is priced at a pretty reasonable $53,490.
Other model year 2012 Subaru Libertys have received higher equipment levels. The entry-level Liberty 2.5i now has leather trim, a powered driver’s seat with electric lumbar support, a 4.3-inch LCD display screen and a USB connection. Subaru calculates this would add $3000 to the value of the car, but there’s no price increase, with the RRP remaining at $32,990 for a manual sedan.
Satellite navigation with reversing camera is now standard equipment on both the Liberty 2.5i Premium and the Liberty 2.5i Sports Premium.
Subaru has been a long time favourite with Australian car buyers thanks to its reputation making for no-nonsense cars that appeal to Australians who take exactly the same attitude to life. Subarus have excellent resale value and a recent survey had the marque coming up as being the car that more owners would recommend to others. This stunning new EyeSight technology as installed in the topline Liberty will further enhance the brand.
The complete 2012 Subaru Liberty range is:
2.5i manual sedan: $32,990 (manual), $34,990 (CVT)
2.5i manual wagon $34,990, (manual), $36,990 (CVT)
2.5i Premium sedan: $40,990 (CVT)
2.5i Premium wagon $42,990 (CVT)
2.5i Sports Premium sedan: $45,490 (CVT)
2.5i Sports Premium wagon: $47,490 (CVT)
2.5 GT Premium sedan $52,990 (manual), $54,990 (automatic)
2.5 GT Premium wagon $54,990 (manual), $56,990 (automatic)
3.6R Premium sedan: $53,490 (automatic)
Note: Prices does not include government or dealer charges. Contact your nearest Subaru dealer for driveaway prices. |
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