aekOne

 
There's fresh hope that Subaru Australia could add the Ascent large SUV to its local line-up to take on the likes of the Toyota Kluger and Kia Sorento, despite years of rejection.

The local operation's former chief, Colin Christie, told CarsGuide in April, 2020 that the Ascent was unlikely to make it Down Under as it isn't available in right-hand drive from the US factory that builds it. However, current Subaru Australia managing director, Blair Read, struck a more optimistic tone in a recent interview, making it clear that the Ascent remains on the local agenda.

"Always on the wish-list," Read said. "A work-in-progress."

He added that the issue remained the same as when Christie was unable to secure it - the lack of right-hand-drive production.

"The plain issue with getting Ascent is it's built in America, in left-hand drive, and their demand is out-stripping their production capacity. So, to get that here, that's as simple as the challenge gets," Read explained.

However, despite this being the current situation, Read made it clear that should US supply either increase or demand decrease and production capacity becomes available, getting the Ascent built in right-hand drive in the USA is definitely an option, as was the case with its predecessor, the ill-fated Tribeca.
 

 
Tribeca was [like] that," Read said. "Tribeca was right-hand drive and built in the States."

Adding the Ascent would fill a crucial missing piece for Subaru and has the potential to dramatically increase the brand's local sales. The Outback is already the fourth best-selling 'large SUV' in Australia, but adding a taller, more-direct rival to the likes of the Kluger and Sorento would be a boost for the brand and fit nicely with its SUV-heavy line-up.

Read clearly sees the potential.

"It's something we keep working on," Read said. "No news at this point, but something that would be an opportunity."

Unlike the five-seat Outback, the Ascent is available with seven- or eight-seater layouts in the US. It sits on the same Subaru Global Platform as likes of the Outback and Forester and is powered by a 2.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine that makes 190kW/376Nm.
 
This info and more can be found at: https://www.carsguide.com.au/

Sup ya'll,

After seeing Kong's thread documenting the progress of his VA WRX, it has motivated me to do the same..

A little while ago an opportunity came up to get my hands on a Levorg which is a car i've often looked at with interest so decided to buy. I've owned it now for a little under 2 years and have really enjoyed it thus far. As far as future mods go there isn't much i really want to do apart from JDM style number plates, CS rear diffuser and maybe one day a 6 speed swap.

It was turned at Diversion Garage up here in Brisbane and is making 179kw at the wheels which i'm told is about as far as it should be pushed with the CVT to remain reliable. I probably could have got the same gains with a chargepipe, dump and tune but that's no fun is it!

Mods:
 
Processwest Khanacooler
Processwest Cold Air Intake
Processwest Chargepipe
X-Force Headers
Ultrex 3" Turbo Back Exhaust
Perrin TGV Delete
Perrin Turbo Sump Restrictor

Grimmspeed 3 Port BCS

IAG EGR Delete
Turbosmart kompact BOV
Brembo (front) with DBA T2 Rotors
Blitz Front and Rear Strut Braces

WRX Front Bar & Front Fenders with STI Inserts
STI Side Skirts, Rear Pods and Spoiler Extention
Chargespeed Style Front Lip
Silvers Neomax S Coilovers
Debadged Boot Lid
Exterior Chrome Delete
Black and White Subaru Badges Front & Rear
Black Eyelids
Colour Matched Mirrors
Auto Folding Mirrors
HKS Floor Mats
STI CVT Shift Knob
Zerosport EVA Pocket Inserts
Axis Interior Carbon Trim Kit (door handles, air vents, centre console and dash)
Alpine Halo9 ILX-F59A Head Unit
Kenwood Hi-Res Front and Rear Speakers
Kenwood X302-4 Amp
Kicker 11HS8 Slim Subwoofer
STI Stop Start Button

STI Pedal Set
BuddyClub Carbon Fibre and Leather Stearing Wheel

HIC Weather Shields

Tints All Around
Cobb Redline Engine Cover
Cobb Radiator Shroud
Zerosports Oil and Radiator Caps
Project Mu Brake Fluid Cap
Cusco Battery Tiedown
Konig HyperGram 18x8.5 +35 Wheels Matte Black
Dunlop Sportmaxx 245/40/18 Tyres