Based on Natural Resources Canada’s (NRCan) approved guidelines. Refer to NRCan’s Fuel Consumption Guide available at https://fcr-ccc.nrcan-rncan.gc.ca/en for more information. Full battery charge and ideal conditions are required. Figures will vary based, amongst others and non-exclusively, on driving and charging habits, speed, accessory use, weather and temperature, battery age, vehicle condition, road condition and other factors. In sub ideal conditions, figures may worsen by more than 50%. Battery capacity decreases with time and use which will further reduce range. See the owner’s manual or NRCan’s Fuel Consumption Guide for details.
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5 May, 2004
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Contact: Elaine Griffin (905) 568-4959
Subaru Canada, Inc. is introducing an all-new 250 horsepower 3.0-litre 6-cylinder boxer engine for its 2005 Outback. The new engine will be fitted exclusively to the new 3.0 R and Outback 3.0 R VDC Limited wagons.
Teamed with a new 5-speed electronic direct control Sportshift automatic transmission, the new 6-cylinder boxer engine replaces the 212 horsepower 3.0-litre engine used in the previous-generation Outback H6-3.0. The 3.0 R is one of two new engines available in the 2005 Outback line; a new intercooled/turbocharged 2.5-litre 4-cylinder boxer powers the Outback 2.5 XT models.
Subaru is offering customers a choice of these two high-performance engines in the Outback line, because each provides different performance characteristics and driving "feel." The 6-cylinder Outback 3.0 R models provide a linear power that is characteristic of a higher-displacement engine, while the turbo offers a more sporty and exciting type of performance.
Although the architecture of the new Outback 3.0 R 6-cylinder engine is similar to that of the previous H6-3.0 engine (identical bore, stroke and displacement), it has been thoroughly re-engineered and shares no major parts with its predecessor. New technology contributing to the increased performance includes Active Valve Control System (AVCS) variable valve timing and Active Valve Lift System (AVLS). The new 3.0 R engine's high specific output of 83.3 hp/litre is among the top premium 6-cylinder engines.
Lighter, Quieter
Subaru designed the new 6-cylinder engine to be quieter, smoother and lighter than the previous H6-3.0. The cylinder block is new, with an optimized rib design for greater strength with less weight. Oil return paths have been added, and the top piston rings receive a shot-peened treatment for added strength and lower friction. Subaru reduced the number of mounting bolts on the timing chain cover, which helps to reduce engine noise. Dowels have been added for strength.
To optimize both weight and strength, Subaru engineered engine parts in microscopic detail. As a result, the new 3.0 R engine is 8.91 kg (19.8 pounds) lighter than the H6-3.0 it replaces, and is quieter. The modular camshafts use hollow journals, for a significant 40 per cent weight reduction of the entire valve system. The resin (plastic) intake manifold is 2.97 kg (6.6 pounds) lighter than an aluminum manifold and has been designed for reduced induction resistance and lower noise.
Active Valve Control System (AVCS) and Active Valve Lift System (AVLS)
The new Subaru 3.0 R engine employs both Active Valve Control System (AVCS) variable valve timing technology and Active Valve Lift System (AVLS) variable valve lift technology. This combination results in one of the most advanced valve control systems on the market. Subaru AVCS and AVLS vary both cam phasing (intake valve timing) and the amount of lift exerted on the intake valves. AVCS optimizes the engine's volumetric efficiency throughout the rev band by adjusting intake camshaft timing to employ the ideal intake and exhaust valve overlap under all engine operating conditions. AVCS can rotate the intake camshafts through a range of 35 degrees relative to the crankshaft. The Engine Control Module (ECM) regulates this movement, based on input from various sensors - airflow, engine coolant temperature, throttle position and camshaft position.
The ECM sends an electrical output signal to an oil control valve located at each intake camshaft sprocket. Oil pressure then varies within "advance" and "retard" chambers inside the AVCS actuator. The system references computer maps to respond to various driving conditions, providing ideal valve timing for stable engine idling and optimum torque across the engine speed range.
Using oil pressure generated by engine speed and load, AVLS varies intake valve lift by locking the tappet into a higher position by means of a transverse pin. The effect is that of having two separate tappets to act on the camshaft lobe operating the intake valve. Subaru AVLS uses three lifter profiles for each intake valve lifter. The low-mid profile boosts air induction speed for greater torque. The high-lift mode decreases induction resistance for higher output.
Variable lift works on one of the two intake valves. At low engine speeds, the two valves open at different levels, causing a swirl of air and fuel. At higher speeds, both valves are opened by the same amount. The valve lifters are the "select" shimless type. To accommodate production variances, exact lifters are chosen for each engine assembled, which reduces the need for valve adjustments and helps ensure consistent performance as the vehicle ages.
Subaru customers will easily recognize the benefits of having AVCS and AVLS: more power from the same sized engine with no penalty in fuel consumption. The peak torque of 219 lb-ft. at 4,200 rpm compares to the 210 lb-ft. at 4,400 rpm from the previous engine and is just one indicator of the "fatter" torque curve of the new engine. Drivers will experience improved response at all speeds. This characteristic, combined with the new 5-speed automatic transmission and reduced vehicle weight, gives the new Outback 3.0 R models much livelier performance than the previous-generation Outback H6-3.0 models.
Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) System
Further enhancing quick throttle response in all 2005 Legacy and Outback models is an Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) system that eliminates the physical linkage between the throttle pedal and the engine. An electronic sensor connected to the throttle sends a signal to the Engine Control Module (ECM) which automatically adjusts the engine's throttle plate. The ETC system provides more precise control and more flexible response than a conventional throttle and helps to optimize fuel consumption and emissions.
New 6-2-1 Exhaust System
A new type of exhaust system also contributes to the increased performance of the Subaru 3.0 R engine. In the previous H6-3.0, three exhaust ports per side emptied into a single outlet, similar to traditional exhaust manifolds. In the new 3.0 R engine, individual header pipes for each exhaust port feed into a collector, with the assembly clad in dual-wall stainless steel. The dual-wall design retains heat more effectively to help bring the catalysts up to operating temperature quickly for reduced emissions. There is a separate oxygen sensor for each cylinder bank, also to enhance emission control. All Outback models use twin rear 16-litre mufflers to reduce backpressure and help boost torque.
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