We here at Top Speed have received another fun to drive Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT Limited into our test fleet. Last time we had a look at the new Legacy we were driving the flagship 3.6 R model that is more about riding around in relaxed comfort whereas the Azurite Blue Pearl 2.5 GT model is what the Japanese automaker refers to as their sporting Legacy. The biggest difference between the two cars is their power train, while the R was powered by a 3.6 Liter flat six cylinder engine that made 256 HP and 247 lb-ft of torque and is connected to a five speed automatic transmission which of course fed Subaru’s Symmetrical All Wheel Drive System. Our new 2010 Legacy 2.5 GT uses Subaru’s familiar 2.5 Liter turbocharged flat four making 265 HP and 258 lb-ft of torque and is shifted with a six speed manual gearbox, the combination is good for a 0 to 60 MPH time of 5.9 seconds. Despite the smaller displacement and being down two cylinders, the addition of a turbocharger more than makes up for the difference while taking a few pounds off the front axle at the same time.
The fifth generation of the Legacy received a restyling for 2010 and features a bold new design that features a larger one bar grill and a set of Subaru’s new hawk eye headlamps. On the outside, aside from the larger 18 inch wheels, the only thing that gives away the GT as a performance model is the functional hood scoop that feeds fresh air to the Legacy’s top mounted intercooler. The 2.5 GT wears the same bulging fenders as the rest of the lineup as well as their signature side skirts that jut out more than down, giving the Legacy a very wide and stable stance. The 2010 Legacy is a nod at the future of automobile design with its sweptback windshield and short trunk overhang that is more aerodynamic than the traditional three box shape.
Subaru considers their products to be premium automobiles, and it shows on the inside. Our Limited trim Legacy came with a very attractive leather wrapped steering wheel as well as supple seats and a dash adorned with sophisticated wood trim that carries over into the door cards. The 2010 Legacy has been completely redesigned in the interest of a roomier interior and the new car is the most spacious and luxurious Subaru sedan to date. Starting a just under $30,000 our Limited model benefited from a $3,000 power moonroof and navigation system that brought our 2.5 GT’s asking price up to $34,146; not a bad price to pay for so much machine.
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Mitsubishi brought their wingless wonder, the
Lancer Evolution MR Touring to the Miami Auto show. This more discreet EVO X is a more upscale trend then we are used to from the Japanese budget super car maker, traditionally they would offer stripped down lightweight versions, where the large box shaped aerofoil is ditched for weight reduction reasons along with a radio and sound deadening. However as the Playstation generation grows up and gets jobs, heavily bolstered leather wrapped Recaro racing buckets await the driver as well as Mitsubishi’s new SST six speed sequential manual gearbox to go along with a more reserved
EVO that can now hopefully fly under the radar, that is the blingtastic mirror covers don’t set off any alarms.
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The English automaker Aston Martin showed off their familiar
DBS Volante, a model that we have seen earlier on this year. Marek Reichman, Aston Martin’s Director of Design, was kind enough to
tell us a little bit about the new car earlier on when they made the $300,000 V12 powered drop top’s
exclusive debut and even elaborated on the
Jaeger-LeCoultre timepiece that completes the 007 experience. Also in attendance were a pair of
V8 Vantage hard top and
roadster models, showing the hand crafted super car maker’s game plan of offering two distinct automobiles as opposed to a compromised hard top convertible.
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The fuel efficient Japanese automaker Toyota has just launch the Sai luxury hybrid sedan, a model based on the Lexus HS 250h, into its home market. The new four door Hybrid Synergy Drive sedan is both bigger and more luxurious than the automobile manufacturer’s current flagship hybrid, the Toyota Prius. With the Sai’s scheduled launch only a few days away at the Tokyo Auto Salon, Toyota is taking a step forward to shake up the gas/electric car market.
Compared to the Lexus HS 250h, the new Toyota Sai features a distinct front end design with new head lamps, a unique hood, grill and bumper as we;; as a set of different taillights. On the inside, the new Sai gets its own instrument panel and center console design as well as a different steering wheel than the entry level Lexus hybrid.
However this where the differences end, under the hood the Sai features the same hybrid drive train as the Lexus HS 250h which includes a 2.4 Liter four cylinder engine running on an Atkinson cycle combined with an electric motor and a reduction gear to take over power train responsibilities when the gas burning engine isn’t required, when combined, the pair of conventional and electric motors can delver up to 190 HP. The Sai successfully bridges the gap between the entry level Prius hatchback and the more expensive Lexus HS 250h as far as the Japanese automaker Toyota’s lineup of hybrids is concerned.
Press release after the jump.
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The Japanese automaker Toyota has just launched an all new rear wheel drive luxury sedan for its home market called the Mark X. Built on the same platform as the Lexus GS, the new four door is powered by a choice of two engines, the first being a 2.5 Liter V6 that delivers a maximum output of 203 HP and is 15% more efficient than government regulations require as well as a powerful 3.5 Liter V6 that puts down a total of 318 HP. No matter which power plant you choose, both engines can be mated to Toyota’s gas sipping ECT six speed automatic transmission complete with sporty paddle shifters mounted on the steering wheel. The Mark X is good for a 0 to 60 MPH sprint of about 8.3 seconds and will return an average of 49.2 MPG.
For 2010, the Toyota Mark X features a widened front bumper opening, a sporty mesh grill, wraparound taillights and very thick C pillar giving the car a very muscular appearance. Keeping with the Mark X’s luxurious theme, the upscale sedan offers a spacious interior for up to five passengers and driver amenities like an ergonomic leather wrapped steering wheel and motorized lumbar support that combine quality and precision evoking a feeling of pure driving pleasure.
The Mark X is also loaded with high tech gadgets like an adaptive radar based cruise control system, equipped with a brake-control function that can maintain a fixed distance from the car in front, adaptive front lighting system, hill start assist control, HDD navigation system with map on demand and a digital T.V. tuner as well as the automaker’s intelligent parking assist system.
Press release after the jump.
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The South Korean automaker Kia has just revealed the first images of the all new 2010 Cadenza, a mid size four door sedan that is slated to replace the Amanti here in the U.S. The Cadenza will make its world debut towards the end of this year at the Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Dubai international motor shows in the middle east. On the exterior the new Cadenza looks almost identical to the identical to the KND-5 concept that Kia brought to the Seoul Motor Show earlier this year and features the same design language as the new compact Forte and second generation Kia Sorento.
Press release after the jump.
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After what seemed like ages, Japanese car maker Mitsuoka is finally releasing its next-generation Viewt. Now, if you’re wondering who or what Mitsuoka is, they’re a local car brand from Japan that caters only to the Japanese market. What’s unique about Mitsuoka is the fact that they build modern cars that resemble those old-time British automobiles from the 50s and the 60s.
As you can plainly see with the new Viewt, Mitsuoka is continuing on that legacy. Underneath the vintage-looking exterior is actually a production-made Nissan Micra so you can be sure that while the look is vintage, the performance is not. Mitsuoka did alter a few of the design elements of the car like the integration of the front bumpers to the front end panels.
It’s been a while since we last saw Mitsuoka grace our presence with a car so the release of the new Viewt came at just the right time.
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A familiar face just rolled back into the Top Speed garage, but unlike the fully loaded chrome clad bright white baby Benz this GLK is more of a red hot roller skate. You could never imagine how much a color change and a few less options can completely transform the way the compact crossover looks. Aside from the Mars Red paint and lack of running boards this is the same vehicle that we had before, minus a few pricey interior amenities. However the little G Wagen looks less like an off road luxury vehicle fit for a diminutive South American import/export specialist and more like a sporty crossover, and yes with its 20 inch rims pushed far to all four corners and the swept back two box body it is hard to deny the roller skate similarities.
The inside of our Mercedes GLK comes equipped with the $1,750 for Full Leather Seating Package that obviously includes the seats incorporates a leather wrapped steering wheel an Burl Walnut trim which we think is well worth the expense. This time the front buckets don’t have oversized monitors hanging off the backrests, and it is honestly a bit easier on the eyes, but the German design team did leave the dual glass sunroof which goes a long way towards opening up the GLK’s interior. Keeping occupants informed and entertained is a $3,350 Multimedia Package that includes everything from a rear view camera to the Logic 7 DolbyDigital Surround Sound system and a $300 iPod interface.
Powered by the same 3.5 Liter V6 that came in our last GLK350, but unlike mini Pablo Escobar’s four wheel drive Mercedes the roller skate strictly sends power to the rear wheels. As most SUV owners won’t ever take their vehicles off road it shouldn’t be an issue. This does mean that the power plant can send all 268 HP and 258 lb-ft of torque to the drive wheels more efficiently. This sporty red GLK is a more affordable alternative to the last one we saw, especially when you consider the $3,150 Premium Package that includes just about power everything at a savings of over $1,200 if purchased separately. Tack on a very reasonable $970 for the brushed roof rails and plus sized wheel and tires amongst a few other items, this $34,600 GLK added up to a nicely equipped $45,645 premium CUV.
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Porsche has just unveiled the seventh generation 911 Turbo at the Frankfurt Motor Show and will go on sale shortly in Germany. As part of the new car’s introduction Porsche Executive Vice President of Research and Development Wolfgang Durheimer talks about the company’s latest high performance creation.
The 2010 Porsche 911 Turbo is a true 21st century super car with more power, a lower curb weight, improved handling, a higher top speed and improved fuel economy. Under the rear deck lid Porsche has placed a 3.8 Liter direct injected flat six engine that delivers 500 HP and is available with Porsche’s new PDK seven speed transmission. Thanks to the new refinements the 911 Turbo now gets an estimated 24 MPG and can sprint from 0 to 60 MPH in just 3.4 seconds and reach a top speed of 194 MPH.
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