Contact: Elaine Griffin (905) 568-4959
Combining the rugged versatility of a compact pickup truck with the driving dynamics, safety and comfort of a four-door passenger car, Subaru's Baja Sport is the crossover vehicle for drivers who want both in a single, fun to drive vehicle.
Based on the proven Legacy/Outback platform, the Baja Sport successfully merges responsive handling and ride comfort for passengers with a rugged cargo bed that can handle a full load of wet, muddy or snow-covered gear with ease. In addition, Baja Sport offers comfortable seating for four, four-wheel independent suspension and, of course, Subaru's full-time Symmetrical All Wheel Driving System.
"The Baja is not intended to be a traditional pickup truck, but to provide an extra level of utility in an innovative vehicle that's fun to drive and easy to own." said Norio Osakabe, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Subaru Canada, Inc. "Although several Subaru vehicles appeal to outdoor-oriented buyers, the Baja was designed to focus even more sharply on this kind of appeal. Specifically, the open pickup bed offers a type of utility that passenger cars and even SUVs do not provide."
At the heart of Baja's versatility is the Subaru-designed SwitchbackT System that permits reconfiguration of the rear seating area and the cargo bed to meet a variety of needs when transporting people and cargo. The rear seat cushion folds upward, its reinforced metal bottom forming a front cargo wall. The seatback also folds flat, its back surface covered in a durable, slip-resistant material. To carry long items, such as skis or surfboards, the bed pass-through opens and rests to lock with the lowered seat back.
The expandable 1,055 mm (41.5 inch) truck bed can handle a variety of gear, and lowering the tailgate and attached accessory bed extender lengthens the bed to 1,536 mm (60.5 inches). When the extended bed and lowered seat back are combined, the total load length becomes 1,974 mm (77.7 inches). The Baja has a rated towing capacity of 1,080 kg (2,400 pounds).
Built to stand up to rugged use, the Baja's double-wall, all-steel bed houses an integrated molded plastic liner that is both slip-resistant and extremely easy to clean. A dual-illumination bed light, four tie-down hooks and the ability to create different load levels are built in.
In front, Baja Sport has wide design front fenders, large, heated, foldable mirrors and integrated fog lamps with stone guards. Unique Baja design elements include a broader grille and body-colour lower body and tailgate cladding for protection from rocks and other debris. Individual pieces of the cladding can be replaced separately if damaged.
Attachments specifically designed to carry skis, kayaks, snowboards and bikes are available.
Inside, Baja is configured for four passengers with bucket seats in front. Instrument gauges with silver trim rings and silver metallic-finished trim on bezels and trim plate enhance the sporty ambiance.
The cabin also makes it clear that utility does not come at the expense of comfort and convenience. The Baja Sport's roster of standard equipment gives it the feel that's closer to a sports coupe than a truck and includes:
- air conditioning
- 4-speaker, 80-watt AM/FM/CD sound system
- cruise control
- keyless entry
- power glass moonroof with sunshade
- power windows, mirrors and door locks
Baja is equipped with Subaru's All-Wheel Driving System for confident handling on slippery surfaces and unpaved trails as well as every day conditions on dry roads.
Power is provided by Subaru's compact, lightweight 2.5-litre, SOHC 4-cylinder "boxer" engine that produces 165 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 166 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm. Mounting the engine longitudinally allows the transmission to be mounted directly behind it so that power travels in a straight line to the rear differential, minimizing frictional power loss.
A 5-speed manual transmission is standard equipment and a 4-speed, electronically-controlled automatic is optional.
Baja's 4-wheel independent suspension provides a compliant, car-like ride and responsive handling. In addition, the long-travel, low-friction design, and specific geometry and tuning help keep all four wheels on the ground at all times. In front, the proven strut design uses new struts with internal rebound springs and improved shock valve tuning to reduce body roll and reduce lift on acceleration.
The rear multi-link design is mounted on a rubber-isolated subframe for lateral rigidity and reduced noise, vibration and harshness (NVH). The multi-link suspension also adapts effectively to changing cargo loads, a crucial factor in maintaining car-like ride and handling.
Standard 225/60R16 97H Bridgestone tires and 185 mm (7.3 inches) of ground clearance provide true off-road capability.
For even greater traction and control, Baja is equipped with a viscous limited slip rear differential and 4-channel, 4-sensor anti-lock brakes (ABS).
In addition to the balanced handling and other active safety technology that allows drivers to avoid accidents by driving around them, Baja is designed and built with exceptional levels of passive safety - it exceeds current passenger car safety standards - to protect occupants in the event of a collision.
To increase cabin rigidity and absorb impact energy from any direction, the Baja is constructed using a modified version of Subaru's Ring Shaped Reinforcement Frame. The ring-shaped cross section frame design uses the A, B and C pillars to create a series of rings around the passenger compartment. Combining the side roof rails and lower side sills with the pillars forms yet another series of protective rings.
Two high-strength steel pipe beams and a steel reinforcement in the shoulder section of the front doors provide excellent side impact protection. A pipe beam and a plate-type beam are built into the rear doors, and these side impact beams tie in with a reinforced rear wheel arch to help prevent the door from intruding into the cabin.
In addition to the Ring Shaped Reinforcement structure, crumple zones in the front and rear absorb impact energies and help prevent intrusions. The entire powertrain is designed to slide under the vehicle, rather than into the cabin, in the event of a severe frontal collision.
The Baja is also fitted with 3-point seatbelts for all passengers. The front belts are height-adjustable and equipped with force limiters and pretensioners. Dual front airbags are designed for optimal shape and inflation, and the front passenger airbag uses a dual-stage deployment module that controls the inflation rate according to the severity of the impact.
The 2005 Baja Sport will be available from Subaru dealers in January, 2005.
Every Subaru is backed by a 5-year/100,000 km warranty covering major components and power train, as well as a 3-year/60,000 km "bumper-to-bumper," no deductible warranty. Subaru also provides a Rust Perforation Warranty, an Emission Control Warranty and North American roadside emergency service, offered in conjunction with the CAA and AAA, which is free of charge for the first three years of ownership.
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