The recently renamed Subaru Corporation has started production of the Ascent SUV at its US Subaru of Indiana Automotive plant.
The three-row Ascent was developed exclusively for North America to boost sales in the region.
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The vehicle, which made its world debut at the Los Angeles motor show last November is the largest Subaru built “designed especially for active families”, according to its maker.
Sales of the 2019 model start in the US and Canada in mid-2018.
US dealers have already taken 4,500 orders for the new vehicle.
The Ascent is offered with seven- or eight-passenger layouts with a choice of second row captain’s chairs or bench seating.
So called EyeSight safety equipment is standard range wide and includes collision avoidance, lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control.
Output from the new turbocharged petrol 2.4 litre flat four is estimated at 260 horsepower and 277 lb ft of torque on regular 87 octane US unleaded petrol while the Lineartronic CVT automatic transmission allows the new model to tow up to 2,270 kg (5,000lb).
A new type of power rear gate with a built-in drive unit is used.
See also: Subaru has been in the US for a half century
