The New Subaru Outback Receives the Highest Possible Safety Rating for Both Frontal and Side-Impact Crash Tests for Both Driver and Passenger Seating Positions

CHERRY HILL, N.J., Aug. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Subaru of America, Inc., the only car company that features Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive as standard equipment on every vehicle in its product line, today announced the 2005 Subaru Outback earned the highest rating in the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) crash tests. The new Subaru Outback received 5 stars in both the frontal and side-impact crash tests for both the driver and passenger seating positions.

"We are very pleased with the results of the all-new Subaru Outback in the NCAP crash tests," said Fred Adcock, executive vice president, Subaru of America, Inc. "As always, safety is a top priority for Subaru and one of our strengths as we transition to a premium brand in the marketplace."

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) provides consumers with vehicle safety information, primarily front and side crash test results, and more recently rollover ratings, to aid consumers in their vehicle purchase decisions. The test results are relayed to consumers via an easily recognizable star rating system - from 1 to 5 stars, with 5 being the highest. Every year the agency chooses to test new vehicles which are predicted to have high sales volume, those which have been redesigned with structural changes, or those with improved safety equipment. The NCAP crash tests are conducted at speeds higher than required by the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for both side impacts at 38.5 miles per hour and full frontal barrier impacts at 35 miles per hour. The tests are done to compare vehicles for the NHTSA Consumer Information Program and the results can be found at http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov.

The all-new 2005 Subaru Outback brings occupant safety to a new level. Built on a new version of the company's proven Ring-Shaped Reinforcement Frame safety structure, the 2005 Outback models include as standard equipment front seat side-impact air bags and side curtain air bags that offer additional head protection for front and rear occupants. New intelligent dual-stage deployment front air bags use sensors to detect the presence and weight of a front passenger and also the driver's distance from the steering wheel. The system determines front air bag deployment strength for optimal occupant protection. All Outback models for 2005 feature active front head restraints, which can help reduce potential whiplash injury in a rear collision.

In addition to passive safety features, all 2005 Subaru vehicles are equipped with standard active safety features including Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, four-channel anti-lock brakes, and four-wheel disc brakes that provide Subaru owners with exceptional traction, handling and control.

For additional information about Subaru of America, Inc. and Subaru vehicles, visit the company's media web site at http://www.media.subaru.com.

About Subaru of America, Inc.

Subaru of America, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. of Japan. Headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J., the company markets and distributes all-wheel drive Subaru vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of nearly 600 dealers across the United States. Subaru is the only car company that features Symmetrical All-Wheel drive as standard equipment on every vehicle in its product line. For additional information visit http://www.subaru.com.

Contact: Lisa Fleming - Don Bearden
Subaru of America, Inc. - Subaru of America, Inc.
(856) 488-5093 - (856) 488-8644
lfleming@subaru.com - dbearden@subaru.com

Source: Subaru of America, Inc.

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