Introduced in 1989, Liberty has gone on to achieve many automotive milestones.

It is a dual winner of Wheels magazine’s Car of the Year award and all current Libertys hold a five-star Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) rating for occupant safety.

By 1991 Subaru had sold its 10,000th Liberty in Australia and the RS Turbo version was launched – now something of a collector’s item.

That same year it began a long run of award wins, gaining Wheels’ annual quality award and an NRMA Best Medium Car award - the first of many motoring organization titles.

Liberty was also the launching pad for Subaru’s Australian rallying success, when the late Possum Bourne drove a factory-backed RS turbo in the early 1990s.

Liberty won its first Wheels COTY award in 1995 and again in 1999.

The Liberty B4 reintroduced turbocharged technology to the range in 2001.

August 2004 saw the introduction of six cylinder 3.0 litre options, including the spec.B, which gained favourable reviews against higher-priced European competitors.

An outstanding locally developed special edition, the Liberty GT tuned by STI, won accolades early this year.

Liberty 3.0R is currently the combined motoring organizations’ Best Luxury Car under $57,000.

The latest advance for Model Year 2007 includes the return of turbocharged GT, this time with an award-winning 2.5 litre engine.

Nick Senior, Managing Director, Subaru Australia, said: “Liberty is a cornerstone of our All-Wheel Drive range and it represented our first real inroad into the major sales league.

“Its popularity is reflected in its retained value where it is an absolute standout over the years, frequently dominating the top 10 in its class.

“Liberty range has grown to offer enormous variety – there are now four engine choices alone.

“It’s a wonderful representation of what appeals to our customers: great engineering, safety, reliability, durability, versatility and style.”