Six Star Magazine Six Star Magazine Summer 2006 | Page 12

TECHNOLOGIES

Climate control – heating and air conditioning keep fresh air
flowing through the cabin, as do optional air filtration systems.
These features contribute to active safety by helping to keep
the driver alert.

The SUBARU BOXER engine’s lower centre of gravity causes
less body roll than an in-line or V-type engine.

Engine performance also enhances safety, because it allows the
driver to accelerate away from trouble in some situations. Subaru
vehicles have excellent power-to-weight ratios, which improve
acceleration – especially with the turbocharged and six-cylinder engines.
Subaru symmetrical full-time All-Wheel Drive (AWD) can provide
motive power to all four wheels. Four wheels fighting for traction
are much better than two. With all drivetrain components – the
engine, transmission, driveshaft and front and rear differential – laid
out longitudinally, close to the centre point of the vehicle, one side
of a Subaru powertrain mirrors the other. That’s what makes it
symmetrical, balancing the vehicle and adding to driver control.
Four-wheel independent suspension
Each of a Subaru vehicle’s four wheels is suspended independently
from the one opposite. Each responds to road surfaces without
being tied into what the other wheel is doing. That means the wheels
are more likely to be in contact with the road surface and maintain
traction – for greater control in steering, accelerating and braking.
Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC)
Standard on the Subaru B9 Tribeca and Outback 3.0R VDC Wagon,
is VDC, a stability-control system. When VDC senses that the
vehicle is sliding due to understeer or oversteer, i