Earlier this month we reported that Subaru will be making it’s world debut of their new Legacy at the Chicago Auto Show. The curtain has finally been drawn and the car has been revealed.
The new Legacy ushers in the sixth generation of its model, a full 25 years since the first generation Legacy was released in 1989. A shared universal value among the past models of the Legacy is the strong, unwavering trust built up between driver and car. Over the course of the past quarter century, Subaru has consistently sought out a presence and value commensurate with its flagship model. We have purely focused on developing the kind of vehicle that acts as a partner to enrich its owners’ lives.
In order to further solidify the trust we have built up, in the new Legacy, we took this sentiment beyond just functional values; ride quality, environmental friendliness and safety performance such as the new “EyeSight” and Subaru’s first rear radar system. We also brushed up its very essence—the design and quality at the core of its emotional value. The Legacy’s polish gives it universal appeal as a true sports sedan providing trust-inspiring driving excitement, an inspiration to drivers to dream bigger and imagine a fuller lifestyle.
“The Fusion of Design and Engineering at a High Level”
Since its inception, the Legacy has continued to consistently offer drivers sportiness with value. This makes the Legacy enjoyably less stressful to drive in all situations and gives drivers the exhilarating ability to direct the car exactly where they want.
The product concept for development of the new Legacy was “The Fusion of Design and Engineering at a High Level.” Subaru aimed for the high-level fusion of all the elements of sporty driving excitement. In addition to sharpening the basic performance essential to a Subaru sedan—ride quality, safety, packaging and more—all these elements were incorporated into the design. By increasing overall vehicle quality and producing emotional appeal, Subaru believes that a strong bond of trust between owner and vehicle can be inspired with a vehicle that is a pleasure to drive.
Exterior
“Muscularity with Agility” was adopted as the design theme to create sportier and more refined styling for the Subaru flagship sedan. Maintaining the design for the spacious, comfortable cabin space the Legacy is known for, the styling focuses on a sculptured body evoking a sense of safety and a strong base which grips the road with AWD.
- A body-integrated hexagonal grille and hawk-eye headlights are the new face of Subaru. Also, the dynamic character lines on the body side and tight, expressive body surface further raise the class for an already classy sport sedan.
- The front end employs a nose cone design. Due to the three dimensional shape beginning with the front grille, more dynamic design has been achieved.
- The rear combination lamps have the same design motif as the front in pursuit of a fearless image, front to back. Also, LED lamps are employed for the tail and brake lamps to help enhance fuel economy, and optimal light distribution has improved night visibility.
Interior
“Comfortable and Sporty” was adopted as the design theme to dramatically improve quality and comfort, while creating a next-generation interior offering a sportier driver’s area and an infotainment system for a more enjoyable in-car experience.
- The cabin is configured for a comfortable long driving, striking a balance between openness and secure feeling with adequate forward space. Also, the wide dashboard has horizontal highlights to give an even wider feel.
- For the interior colors, there are a sporty black and an ornate ivory configuration, meant to provide appeal with a cabin combining driving excitement with comfort and quality. In the black interior, silver highlights have been added as a base tone to create a horizontal design in the black trim, creating a tight and sporty, yet spacious feel. Meanwhile in the ivory interior, ivory spreads horizontally throughout for a sporty, yet bright and elegant feel.
- The head unit has a navigation system and audio with intuitive touch operation. A wide, flat center display* is employed to allow passengers to enjoy various media and provide them with various information. Also, consolidating information onto one screen makes it easier to see and use.
- The Harman/Kardon speaker system has exclusive audio settings for uncompromising acoustics, even at the base grade by optimizing each unit.
- The gauge cluster features a dual-dial layout with a three-dimensional feel and integrated color LCDs for greater presence and sporty impact. Blue-ring illumination of the meters in the top-grade models emphasizes the sporty feel.
Engine
2.5-liter, DOHC, Horizontally-Opposed, 4-cylinder, NA engine
Mid-range torque was raised on the FB25 Boxer engine, meaning more control and a lighter feel in practical driving ranges. Also, significant changes revolving around the intake, exhaust and combustion systems have improved fuel economy.
- While keeping the same basic structure from the previous intake manifold and tumbler generation valve (TGV), TGV valve position and intake port shape were given a simpler orientation. These changes balance volumetric efficiency in higher engine speed ranges with efficient combustion in lower engine speed ranges, improving both power and fuel economy.
- The intake sound has been tuned to produce a pleasant, congruous engine tone.
3.6-liter, DOHC, Horizontally-Opposed, 6-cylinder, NA engine
Subaru continues its many years in honing performance from its EZ Boxer engine, working to improve fuel economy by employing the high-torque-compatible Lineartronic.
- The ECU is employed with a lighter next-generation microcontroller, which allows for further environmental measures.
Transmission
Power and environmental friendliness have been enhanced from the previous Lineartronic model for increased fuel economy. This also provides driveability with the smooth shifting the Lineartronic is known for and a light ride that always stays true to driver intentions.
- Friction within the transmission has been reduced for improved fuel efficiency, and a vibration noise reducer has been added to enhance ride quietness.
- New step shift control retains the shift-shock-free smooth acceleration that is characteristic of Lineartronic transmissions, while increasing vehicle and engine speed and providing a nimble ride that responds directly to driver intentions.
- With the standard paddle shifting in the six-speed manual mode, the driver can select the optimal gear quickly without taking their hands from the wheel, even under sudden deceleration or heavy acceleration, for an enjoyable sport driving experience.
High-torque-compatible Lineartronic
By adopting the high-torque-compatible Lineartronic for 3.6-liter Boxer engine, both driveability and environmental friendliness have been achieved at a high level. Compared to the previous high-torque-compatible Lineartronic, torque converter, oil pump and forward-reverse mechanism were newly designed while employing a new shifting controller for enhanced driveability and ride quietness.
- New step shift control retains the shift-shock-free smooth acceleration that is characteristic of Lineartronic transmissions, while increasing vehicle and engine speed and providing a nimble ride that responds directly to driver intentions.
- With the standard paddle shifting in the six-speed manual mode, the driver can select the optimal gear quickly without taking their hands from the wheel, even under sudden deceleration or heavy acceleration, for an enjoyable sport driving experience.
