Just thought some of you Subaru fans might be interested. The following info comes from a New Zealand newspaper.

Subaru is placing a $3000 premium on diesel over petrol as it launches diesel Euro variants of the Subaru Legacy and Subaru Outback models in New Zealand in time for Christmas.

This means the the standard Subaru Legacy Diesel Euro saloon will list at $41,490, the equivalent wagon at $42,990, and the Subaru Outback Diesel Euro at $44,990.

The "Euro'' moniker reflects the fact that Subaru's main reason for adding diesel to its range has been pressure from Europe, where diesels account for as much as 50% of new-car sales, compared with 15% here.

The same Subaru diesel engine will feature in all Subaru Legacy and Subaru Outback variants. A 2-litre direct injection boxer-configuration unit, it produces 100kW of power and 350Nm of torque, and will operate in conjunction with a five-speed manual transmission.

A standard cycle economy figure of 5.6 litres per 100km is claimed for the Subaru Legacy saloon, which will make it the most fuel-efficient diesel 4WD vehicle on sale in New Zealand.

The European specification adds some features not seen in the equivalent petrol Subaru Legacy and Subaru Outback models. These include heated front seats and a front windscreen de-icer.

As is the case with the recently launched diesel variants in Toyota's Corolla range, the indicator/lights and wiper stalks are the reverse of the petrol models.

Stability programming, anti-lock brakes, six airbags, a power-operated driver's seat, climate air-conditioning, and a six-stack MP3-compatible CD sound system are all standard on the Euro models, which also feature dual exhausts and sit on 17-inch alloy wheels.

Diesel variants of the Subaru Impreza and Subaru Forester models are scheduled for launch in the second half of 2009.