Subaru New Zealand Unveils All-Electric Trailseeker SUV Ahead of September 2026 Launch
Subaru New Zealand has announced the all-new, all-electric Trailseeker will join its SUV line-up in September 2026.
A HIGHER-riding Subaru Legacy, launched recently at the Beijing International Automotive Exhibition, will be ideal for New Zealand rural roads, says the company’s managing director, Wallis Dumper.
The 2013 model rides 60mm higher than predecessors. And it has a new grille, front bumpers and sporty sills with chrome-type highlights, and exclusive 18-inch wheels.
“This new Legacy variant will be ideal for kiwi rural roads,” said Dumper. “We have a huge percentage of unsealed surfaces and the extra ride height adds to its capability in regional and rural areas.”
Interior detail changes include black metal-type centre panel, centre console and steering switch panel, the electronic park brake and SI-Drive switches are relocated for easier use.
“Another key aspect of this new Legacy variant is that the hip point is 70 mm higher than the current sedan, making entry and exit easier, which should really suit some of those traditional Calais and Fairmont drivers you see climbing out of their ‘gravel-rashed’ vehicles in most rural communities.
“Only three markets in the world – Australia, China and New Zealand – are getting this new variant.
“A lot of our rural roads are unsealed, about a third in fact. Obviously our all-wheel-drive Legacy is a great choice for these conditions and the new variant with its extra ground clearance makes an even stronger case, plus it provides a suitable environment for the farming executive of today.
“We see its main market to be in rural areas, but it will also be ideal for those with tricky driveways, those who travel with trailers, boats and caravans, or just those who want a sedan where you can sit a bit higher.
“The new variant will initially be available in New Zealand with a 3.6L engine with potential for the smaller 2.5-litre engine later.”
Minister of Conservation Hon Tama Potaka has appointed Susan O'Regan as Chair of the Queen Elizabeth II National Trust (QEII) for a three-year term.
Red meat farmers are welcoming Labour’s plan to review the Emissions Trading Scheme and not to campaign on pricing agricultural emissions.
Where any worker in the kiwifruit industry is mistreated, we expect the authorities to take action.
Mid Canterbury Federated Farmers arable chair, Bevan Lill, said Beef + Lamb NZ data indicated that for the last six years, the average arable return on investment was about 0.8% while inflation ran about 4% - so the average arable farm was going backwards at about 3% a year.
Seed and grain companies share the concerns of arable farmers about the viability of their sector, says Seed and Grain New Zealand chief executive Dr Sarah Clark.
The New Zealand Institute of Forestry (NZIF) says unnecessary changes to New Zealand’s Emissions Trading Scheme (NZ ETS) will seriously erode investor confidence and result in significant reductions in forest planting rates.
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