Why the Subaru Outback-baiting Tourer is a petrol V6 only

Holden says the new Tourer represents the ZB’S biggest chance at luring noncommodore customers to the brand, with its raised ride height and crossover styling. All of which makes the lack of fourcylinder petrol or diesel versions all the more perplexing. “It’s due to keeping model complexity down,” is the official line, but we hear that to get the V6 program over the line with Opel, Holden had to provide sufficient projected volumes. The 2.0-litre engines may come later if the Tourer’s current V6 AWD combo proves successful. Ironically, Holden was here before with the failed VY/VZ Commodore-based Adventra wagon of 2003 to 2006, which flopped partly because it was initially V8-only at a time when oil prices were on a steep rise. We fear the same may derail the ZB’S greatest chance at winning conquest sales.