[subiesailor]

The new FB engines are the first major top to bottom engine design done by subaru since like the mid 90's. These new engines no doubt are designed with the intention to work with DI tech in the future - no the 2.5 is not going anyplace. If anything the 2.5 FB with various new tech added to it may replace the old 3.6 if the fuel cost and EPA fuel games push Subaru hard enough they need to find added fleet mileage by dumping the older 3.6

 

[subiesailor]

The 3.6 isn't that old, and there aren't that many around. I really don't see Subaru pulling the plug so fast. I think they'll take another swing at a big Subaru powered by the 3.6 before they give up.

Minivan, pickup or perhaps both from a common new platform? (Yeah that would be weird, but appropriate for Subaru)

Given their failures with this that cost them big in recent years I highly doubt Subaru has any reason to offer any of the above. Not to mention their sales increase in just the past couple of years shows that they can easily do very good business without competing with other FAR FAR FAR larger automakers who have FAR LARGER resources to design and build the larger vehicles.

If they ever did offer something in the 7 pass + space I would fully expect it to be in partnership with toyota using toyota running gear and possibly engine to address the size and durability factor that current subaru tech simply can't scale to. Hence why I never see Subaru offering such things at least for the next 5yrs which subaru is in a good spot and clearly selling cars very well.

 

[subiesailor]

I would be willing to bet the next OB will have a 4 banger Turbo option instead of the six. The FB 2.5 and 2.0 will get DI. I would hope Subaru could squeeze another 10 HP and 10 LBS of TQ from the 2.5 and the 2.0 that really needs more oomph.

Makes sense

There will always be a thin line between HP and cost of added items like Turbos in all the auto makers line up.

There are lots of very good reasons people will go to great lengths to avoid a turbo engine for their particular vehicle need. As such all Auto makers need to offer a functional vehicle which can get the job done that does not rely on turbo tech. Having said that even just DI tech added to the 2.5 and boosting the HP to 185hp would be a very big improvement to the OB and even other models in Subarus line up with very little impact on mileage.

Or the age old trick of low boost turbos which more or less have a longer life and might allow the company to tune an engine to offer enough performance difference to attract people without suffering a big impact on reliability. Chrysler not long ago learned this one the hard way nearly every offering as sold with turbo power. LOL
It can be done the right way for the right use - or the wrong way for the wrong use and be a big failure. Turbo 4banger minivan? REALLY LOL Thanks Chrysler

One thing is for sure once fleet mileage impacts automakers set by the GOV of course the large engines will fade into history. 3.6L engine is a big engine when you consider that Mercedes has a 6000lb 7 passenger vehicle rated to tow over 7000lbs that comes in a 3.2L CDI engine putting out around 340hp. Not to mention more or less matches the 3.6 OB in mileage.

 

[subiesailor]

No SWAG as you put it for me. I bought the 2013 because it almost seemed like the only game in town for my needs. Those were getting a decent size passenger car that could do some of what my pickups and truck-based SUV did.

If it's about now or in next few months the Outback is available, proven, and I'm not missing what it replaced. I will just carry on with renting when I need something more specialized for my work. I love driving a car instead of the pickups or SUV I had and it doesn't cost much when I need to rent a trailer or vehicle.

Good luck.

Same deal here. First subaru replaced a 4runner back in 2001. Had major doubt that the 2.5L would do what I wanted to do which was towing a 600lb racing sailboat up and down the west coast. 11yrs later we replaced that car with another 2.5L only this time we got the OB with the CVT. The prior subaru was a Legacy GT Limited 5spd MT fantastic car and it towed our racing boat just fine Zero issues. It also towed many rented trailers and did lots of camping and backcountry trips. Never missed the 4runner.

Even today with a 4.7L V8 Sequoia parked in the driveway the 2.5L Outback has and always seems to end up with the towing duty. Simply because its easier to manage with the trailer and does just fine and returns better mileage doing it. LOL - Just found a taker for an old bed frame and bed so the OB will be hauling the trailer across town with said bed in it for delivery. Glad to get rid of that bed!!!!

When we bought a place with room for a trailer I picked up a super cool 4x6 ATV / Tent trailer rig which we use for camping given its a tent trailer. It also works as a Utility trailer with tent removed which case we use it in utility mode quite a bit also. The 2.5 hardly even notices it - couple of camping trips with the kids we saw between 23-26mpg towing the camping rig and all the crap packed aboard. Wasn't even close to pushing the 2.5 which easily could accelerate to 70mph on fairly reasonable grades with the trailer in tow.

New cars with better drive line systems lower friction systems - and better Automatics simply do far better in the use of available power compared to the old heavy beasts of the past.