| | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT
 
The fifth generation Legacy has undergone a complete restyling for 2010 and our Azurite Blue Pearl 2.5 GT 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 feeding fresh air across the turbocharged Legacy’s 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. Being the sportiest member of the Legacy lineup, the 2.5 GT is powered by a turbocharged version of Subaru’s 2.5 Liter flat four making 265 HP mated to a six speed manual gearbox and is good for a 0 to 60 MPH sprint of only 5.9 seconds. Legacy fans will be glad to know that Subaru is taking the car road racing in the Japanese Super GT series as a GT300 race car competitor, and once you have a look at the flared four door, you will never look at the new Legacy the same way again. 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 all wheel drive machine. Continued after the jump. Full story 2009 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT VIP Concept
Subaru unveiled at SEMA Show the Legacy 2.5GT VIP ("bippu") Concept. Based on a 2010 2010 Legacy 2.5GT, the concept features a 265-hp turbocharged/intercooled engine teamed exclusively to a new 6-speed manual transmission and the Continuous Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system.  The turbo Boxer engine is equipped with custom full engine bay cover, SPT billet oil cap v2.0 and SPT billet battery hold-down v2.0. The concept also gets an air suspension system from Universal Air, 20" MC3 Enterprises Trinidad wheels, hood, bumper faces, sport grille, front and rear under spoilers, HID headlights and fog lights. The concept’s exterior is painted in Shinjuku Black Plum and adds a chrome trunk garnish and door handles, along with puddle lights. Press release after the jump. Full story 2010 Subaru Legacy GTk
Subaru revealed today at the SEMA Show the Legacy GTk (k standing from kart) concept - the perfect car for a family day at the track. The Legacy GTk is powered by a 2.5-liter turbocharged and intercooled engine produces 300 hp and 350 lb.-ft. of torque, up from the stock model’s 265 hp and 258 lb.-ft. The Legacy GTk features a black on red paintwork with front air dam with fog lights, custom window tint and rear diffuser. JAC Products was roped in to work on the roof cargo management hardware while the liftgate spoiler, the midgate spoiler and the blackout-style HID headlights came from a Japanese domestic market (JDM) Legacy. On the interior there is a Harman/Kardon sound system, STI aluminium pedals and a 7-inch touch screen. Press release after the jump. Full story Initial thoughts: 2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT Limited
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. 2010 Subaru Legacy Sedan
New sedans usually aren’t that exciting, but Subaru was able to take the Legacy from a concept version at the Geneva Motor Show in March to a production to be shown next week in New York.  We like the Legacy because of the distinction it provides. For those who choose the family sedan, it can sometimes be hard to stick out from the crowd without taking styling to the extreme. The Legacy has always been relatively attractive and is distinctively a Japanese sedan. It’s also sold in numbers in the U.S. that ensure it won’t get lost in the mall parking lot.  When the new Legacy arrives for the 2010 model year, the engine lineup will be improved. The base 2.5-liter boxer four cylinder makes the same 170 hp as in the previous model, but Subaru claims the fuel economy is improved. The turbocharged version of this engine available in the 2.5GT has been raised from 243 hp to 265 hp. The line is now topped by a 3.6-liter six cylinder boxer engine (its the one from the WRX). It offers 11 more hp than the 3.0-liter unit it replaces, and this one runs on regular gas (the 3.0 required premium fuel). Full details in the press release after the jump. Full story 2010 Subaru Legacy Tourer
Two decades after the first Legacy rolled off the assembly line; the Japanese automaker Subaru is introducing the next generation of their flagship wagon, the Legacy Tourer for the U.K. The touring model is based on the stylish fifth generation Legacy with its winged front grill, hawk eye headlights and sculpted arches. Now while this practical Legacy looks a lot like the Outback here in the U.S. you should take note that where the rugged SUV alternative wears a two tone paint scheme and a set of bulky looking bumpers. Whereas the Legacy Tourer is wrapped with only one coat of color and has the same aggressively shaped bumpers as the regular Legacy hanging off of either end. The Legacy Tourer is already on sale, with prices starting at £23,295 for the diesel burning 2.0D S and climb all the way up to £27,295 for the CVT equipped 2.5i SE NavPlus Lineartronic model.  Being a Subaru, every Legacy Tourer is powered by a horizontally opposed boxer engine connected to a symmetrical all wheel drive system that makes for a surprisingly sporty driving experience. Subaru U.K. believes that the most popular Legacy Tourer will be the diesel powered 2.0 D that accelerates from 0 to 60 MPH in a very efficient 9.6 seconds and can hit a top speed of 120 MPH. While the performance figures don’t seem too impressive, it is astounding that the full size luxury wagon is able to get and average of 46.3 MPG.  The more traditional 2.5 Liter flat four gas burning power plant makes a total of 165 HP and 169 lb-ft of torque by taking advantage of Subaru’s new i-AVLS, active valve lift system to help the internal combustion engine breathe a bit easier. The petrol model also benefits from Suabru’s recently developed chain driven Lineartronic continuously variable transmission that propels it from 0 to 60 MPH in a lofty 10.3 seconds and reach a top speed of 120 MPH. So no matter which kind of Legacy Tourer you choose, you will be getting a solid and practical ride. Press release after the jump. Full story 2010 Subaru Legacy 3.6 R
The 2010 Subaru Legacy 3.6 R Limited is an excellent import, any consumer who fails to recognize the niche market Japanese automaker’s latest mid size four door sedan as a viable option when shopping for a new car are seriously missing out. This Ruby Red Pearl 3.6 R Limited is the automaker’s top of the line Legacy, and a pleasant surprise from the all wheel drive automaker is just how luxurious their flagship sedan can be. Subaru is an automaker that we would traditionally relate with Gran Turismo and the World Rally Championship, but in this case the “R” is meant less as a nod towards a high performance racing model, but is more likely to stand for the new Legacy’s relaxed attitude. However that doesn’t mean that the new Legacy isn’t going racing, in fact it is already a GT300 race car, and once you have a look at the flared four door, you will never look at another new Legacy the same way again.  The all new 2010 Subaru Legacy wears a set of the automaker’s aerodynamic hawk eye headlamps up front, stylish 17 inch wheels underneath a set of curvaceously contoured flared fenders, a redesigned rear suspension that makes a more spacious rear bench while under the hood of our 3.6 R is a rather large horizontally opposed six cylinder engine. The 3.6 Liter boxer engine makes a total of 256 HP and 247 lb-ft of torque while getting and EPA estimated 18 MPG in the city and 25 MPG on the highway using regular grade gasoline.  One interesting feature of the Legacy 3.6 R is that the flat six engine is only available with a 5 speed automatic transmission that has been beefed up to work with the flatter torque curve from the bigger power plant. Our 2010 Subaru Legacy 3.6 R came well equipped, and would have set us back somewhere around $31,000. If you ask us, that is a great price to pay for such a relaxed all wheel drive sedan experience. Continued after the jump. Full story Initial thoughts: 2010 Subaru Legacy 3.6 R
If you can remember the new 2010 Subaru Legacy and Outback that we showed you a couple of weeks ago then Top Speed’s latest press car should be quite familiar to you, that is because the good folks over at the automotive arm of Fuji Heavy Industries saw fit to let us try out their most luxurious model to date, this 2010 Legacy 3.6 R Limited. Aside our Ruby Red Pearl Legacy’s rather large horizontally opposed six cylinder engine and stylish 17 inch wheels, the new Legacy is filled with all sorts of creature comforts like a one touch window for the driver, leather wrapped steering wheel, power adjustable driver’s seat and a pair of chrome exhaust tips; the Limited model adds some very supple leather, dual zone climate control and a Harman-Kardon sound system complete with a large navigation screen that will play DVDs when you are in park.  The 3.6 R is the top of the line Legacy, however in this case the “R” stands for relaxed and not for racing and after having a look around the new Legacy we can see why. The fifth generation of the Legacy received a restyling and features a bold new design that features a larger one bar grill and a set of Subaru’s new hawk eye style headlamps and a set of bold fenders. It is also supposed to be the roomiest Legacy ever thanks to a longer wheelbase and the new double wishbone suspension in the back makes for a back seat that you can finally have fun in. Speaking of seats, our Limited model’s came wrapped in some very attractive leather and the wood trim on the dash and doors sets off the darker parts of the interior beautifully. Continued after the jump. Full story Subaru introduces us to the 2010 Legacy and Outback
Top Speed was invited to a special showing for an up close look at two new Subarus for 2010, the redesigned Legacy sport sedan and Outback wagon. According to the sales sheets more and more new car customers are being handed the keys to a Subaru because they had the fortune of being one of the few automobile manufacturers to turn a profit last year. Cash For Clunkers certainly didn’t hurt either, doubling their sales last month alone. Although the Japanese automaker’s market share in the U.S. may not be that big of a slice of the pie, rising from 2.2% to 2.5% this year, with a few anticipated improvements they expect to keep that momentum going by offering the right car to the right customer. Subaru plans on doing this by offering a range of new vehicles that meet the right: size, equipment and price requirements of the consumer.  Over the course of the afternoon we learned that Fuji Heavy Industries, the automaker’s parent company considers Subaru to be a luxury brand around the world and they are sold at a premium over other Japanese automobiles like Hondas, Toyotas and Nissans in Europe. However the general public doesn’t feel the a same way in this market. In the U.S. Subaru is seen as a niche brand reserved for the rugged duties of snowy northeast winters, but what shoppers fail to realize is that from rainy South Florida summers to the constantly wet Northwest where precipitation is an issue, these are also perfect places for Subaru’s symmetrical all wheel drive to shine. Continued after the jump.<
Video: Subaru Legacy GT300 racecar at Fuji
For many years the Subaru Technica International team has been the only factory backed racing effort to compete in Japan’s most prestigious form of motorsport when it would team up with the aftermarket parts manufacturer Cusco to campaign an entry into what used to be called the Japanese Grand Touring Car Championship or JGTC. The rules are simple, you need to use the firewall from the factory car, an engine from the manufacturer and that is about it. The race is run similar to an American Le Mans Series race, the competition is broken down into two categories, the bigger GT500 cars are limited to 500 HP while the smaller GT300 class competitors are limited to you guessed it, 300 HP, but they also get to run a few less laps. Subaru has decided to not only pull the Impreza out of World Rally Championship competition but Super GT as well. At least in this case the Japanese automaker is going to offer a substitution. This Legacy based GT300 racecar looks like a Mercedes Benz DTM car with its wide arches and bright silver paint reflecting the sun during the shakedown run at Fuji Speedway. This is also an advanced look at what the redesigned 2010 Lagacy is going to look like before Frankfurt. The Legacy continues the automaker’s tradition of entering an all wheel drive into the championship, a proving factor for their drivetrain. Perhaps with this blow, Subaru is only distanceing themselves from their once infamous boy racer image with box fendered and wild winged WRXs being replaced by much more civilized and muscular sport sedans, perhaps next year they will have a WRC Outback.
| Subaru Legacy latest reviews: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|