By ALASTAIR SLOANE, motoring editor

Subaru boss Wally Dumper set the record straight a couple of years ago, after a sweeping insurance industry report said that Subarus were a favourite target of car thieves.

"The only Subarus being stolen are used imports," said general manager Dumper. "They don't have the anti-theft devices that we are fitting to New Zealand-new models."

Insurance rap sheets supported his argument.

The anti-theft systems included high-tech engine immobilisers and data dots.

An immobiliser doesn't prevent the car from being hot-wired and started. But it does stop it from being driven more than a few metres before the engine stalls and refuses to start again.

Data dots is a show-and-tell security system. Each minute dot contains a vehicle identification number (VIN) that shows up under ultra-violet light. More than 10,000 are sprayed throughout the car. Car thieves are being blind-sided by the light.

Holden Special Vehicles was the first carmaker to use the data dot technology in this part of the world. Subaru followed, mostly on its high-performance turbocharged models.

Then, last year, it began to data dot every new car coming into New Zealand. "Check the car-theft records," said Dumper at the launch of its all-wheel-drive 2005 models the other day. "No new Subaru equipped with data dots has been stolen. It's all used imports, still."

Now the Japanese carmaker has added another anti-theft device to its automatic models for 2005: a shiftlock with a hidden release mechanism.

Subaru automatics since the 1999 model year have had the shiftlock system, which locks the gearshift in park once the key is removed. Other carmakers' automatics do the same.

But the release button on 1999-2004 Subarus was positioned near the gearshift. Now it is hidden within it. Owners will probably need a Swiss knife to get to it, that's if they lose their key and need to shift into neutral to be towed.

Subaru technical chief Noel Robinson says the anti-theft technology is giving owners new security.

"The cars have been broken into but no one to our knowledge has been able to drive them away.

"The crims say there is a way around anything but I haven't heard of one yet.

"If you haven't got the key, the gearshift in the automatics remains locked and the immobiliser pretty much prevents the car from being started anyway. The only way to move it is by transporter."

Subaru sales in New Zealand are up 32 per cent, so far, on last year. Dumper expects to wrap up the year with around 2000 sales, more than 350 up on last year.

The reason for the sales growth is the new Legacy range, launched last year. The 2005 all-wheel-drive range includes the new 3-litre Legacy sports sedan and wagon. It comes in two models: a five-speed automatic with manual mode called the 3.0R, or a six-speed manual called the 3.0R spec. B. The six-speed gearbox is a development of that used in the Impreza WRX STi.

Both models are highly refined and powered by a silky-smooth six-cylinder boxer engine producing 180kW (240bhp) at 6600rpm and 297Nm of torque at 4200rpm and using an electronic "fly-by-wire" throttle. Both are priced at $57,990.

A run over Queenstown's Crown Range and beyond in the sedans (the wagons are expected in November) revealed a competent car. The manual rides firmer than the automatic, partly because of its 18-inch wheels and lower profile tyres. The automatic sits on 17-inch rims.

Both all-wheel-drive models use individually tuned Bilstein sports suspension set-ups and come with everything that opens and shuts, including wall-to-wall airbags, anti-lock disc brakes all round and a premium McIntosh sound system.

"We're offering the 3.0R and 3.0R spec. B as luxury sports sedans and wagons in the European tradition that our GT titanium turbo Legacy established," said Dumper.

"Collectively, this positions Subaru as offering a comprehensive range of premium sports and luxury vehicles in the medium car category.

"Over 40 per cent of Legacys sold are in the $50,000-plus category. The discerning buyer in this category now has a less capital-intensive investment than a European model, thus freeing up cash for business.

"This gives us every confidence that the Legacy 3.0R and 3.0R spec. B will broaden our appeal in the luxury sports market even further."

The 2005 line-up of Subarus also includes the new Impreza RS hatch. It joins the RS sedan and is priced at $34,990 for the five-speed manual and $36,990 for the four-speed automatic.

"Since we launched the RS sedan, potential customers have been asking for a hatch version," said Dumper.

"Now that we can supply it, we are confident it will become the favourite single model of our 2005 Impreza range."

The RS hatch uses the same 2.5-litre flat-four engine as the sedan. It produces 121kW (162bhp) at 5600rpm and 226Nm at 4400rpm.

The Forester also gets a lift for 2005, with the addition of side airbags giving it a five-star crash rating. There is also an updated interior.

The range starts at $37,990 and includes a limited-edition model called the Ruapehu ($42,990-$44,990).

It has been packaged to celebrate Subaru's sponsorship of the Ruapehu skifields and comes with roof-box, tow bar, and the choice of a roof-rack for skis, snowboard, bike or kayak.