As expected, the Wilderness editions are a turbocharged go; XT is out to pasture, 2.5s plug on.

INTENT to head up with butch-looking Wilderness editions as pricier turbocharged adjuncts to new formats of normally-aspirated versions has been confirmed by Subaru in respect to the next generation Outback.

The plan for a model that has been a Subaru New Zealand top seller for years has been laid out by regional distributor Inchcape today.

While every detail is specific to Australia, the chances of New Zealand not replicating seem slim, given the markets always share common product.

In respect to the latest generation car, our neighbour is set to see five editions, the same count that NZ takes in the shape currently still in showrooms.

If delivery and pricing considerations also shift to us, then the car could likely release around February/March and all versions will be more expensive than their predecessors.

Whereas the current line starts at $49,990 and peaks out at $69,990, the new types - when converting Australian dollars to NZ - span from just under $56,000 to $71,606.

The Wilderness edition is a concept that has previously restricted to North America - it further elevates the already rough terrain-ready ride height, from 220mm to 240mm, and adds more rugged trim choices and a special driving mode to set it apart from the standard wagon, which has always been a favourite of outdoorsy Kiwis.

For Australia the new choice delivers in an entry car simply called Wilderness and a flagship Wilderness Apex, pictured today.

These keep in circulation the 2.4-litre turbo four that has presented in XT versions, now out to pasture. In Wilderness outputs are of 194kW and 382Nm, up from 183kW and 350Nm in the XT.

Below these are three Outback models - in NZ-familiar base (Outback), mid-level Premium and top-spec Touring grades.

These are keep the long-serving normally aspirated 2.5-litre, which also retunes. Power drops from 138kW to 137kW and torque revises from 245Nm to 254Nm.

Combined fuel consumption also alters, at 8.1 litres per 100 kilometres for the 2.5-litre, from 7.3L/100km, and 9.7L/100km for the 2.4-litre turbo, from 9.0L/100km. The latter is now compatible with 91-octane unleaded fuel, rather than requiring 95-octane or higher.

The Wilderness's braked towing capacity is 2.1 tonne, where the XT was rated at 2.4-tonne limit. The 2.5-litres continue to peg at 2000kg.

All engines run through a Lineartronic CVT and, of course, also feature the brand’s signature Symmetrical all-wheel-drive.

Likelihood of Wilderness joining the pack was raised in our November 5 story, which also detailed how the new Outback has, after six generations of presenting as an elevated station wagon, gone to a blockier and bigger sports utility style because Subaru has perceived that is what buyers prefer.

Wilderness grades add electronically controlled dampers linked to its dual-mode X-Mode system, for better off-road capability.

All Outbacks have improved approach and departure angles.

Newly standard equipment includes a larger 12.1-inch infotainment touchscreen – now horizontal, not vertical – with up to 2.5 times faster processing, along with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster replacing a 4.2-inch multi-information display and analogue gauges.

The base trim includes 18 inch rims, a full-sized spare, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, USB-A and USB-C ports (one front, one rear for each), synthetic leather, eight-way power adjust driver’s seat, keyless entry and push-button start, dual zone a/c, electric tailgate, LED steering responsive headlights, nine airbags and the usual full remit of ADAS.

The Premium Outback adds 360-degree camera view, factory sat nav, electric glass sunroof, eight-way adjust lowered front passenger seat, heated front seats and a heated steering wheel.

The Touring further delivers machined wheel design with gloss finish, 12-speaker Harman/Kardon audio system, wireless smartphone charger, enhanced driver monitoring system with automatic driver's seat and side mirror adjustments, active lane-change assist, auto-folding side mirrors with reverse tilt-down (passenger side) and position memory, a uto-dimming rear-view mirror, black or brown Nappa leather upholstery, driver’s seat two-position memory, four-way driver's seat lumbar support, manually-adjustable driver's seat thigh support extender, ventilated front seats and heated rear outboard seats.

The Wilderness entry has dual exhaust pipes, electronic control damper system, dual-mode X-Mode, a glare-reducing bonnet decal, unique LED fog lights, matte-black wheel design, wireless smartphone charger, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, black water-repellent synthetic leather upholstery with Wilderness logo on the front headrests, yellow steering wheel stitching (whereas on some Outback it’s silver), heated steering wheel, heated front seats and heated rear outboard seats. The Apex adds the 360-degree camera view, built-in satellite navigation, 12-speaker Harman/Kardon audio system and an electric glass sunroof.

Despite being the dearest choice, the Apex loses the Outback Touring’s ventilated front seats, active lane-change assist, and driver's seat lumbar support, memory function and thigh support extension and does without the enhanced driver monitoring system with automatic driver's seat and side mirror adjustments.