Looking on Australian ebay I saw some Outbacks with a dual range lever like the old GL models had back in the 80's. I was curious as to why Subaru stopped putting the dual ranges in their vehicles

Americans have pavement and Subaru reckons you should stay on it.

Seriously we have had a bit bigger engine with more torque and most Americans would not use it. A big savings when car companies go for pennies.

They never stopped putting them in AFAIK - they were just extremely selective about what countries they sold them in. It's like STIs - we had STIs from about 1993 onwards, whereas you guys in the States only got them in 04'.

 

Maybe they just think people in NZ and Aus all have mud and rock tracks to their hermit huts deep in the forest or something. Who knows! Haha.

 

Hey - at least the Japanese don't think your country is redneck enough! Haha