Subaru sticks to its Legacy of constant refinement

Subaru sticks to its Legacy of constant refinement

2008 Subaru Legacy
By: Jim Robinson

Because Subaru is such a small company, it has always taken deliberate steps when it comes to developing its cars. Since the 1970s when the first generation Legacy bowed, the rock upon which Subaru is built has been centred on the horizontally opposed or "boxer" engine, much the same as Porsche has done.

So much development has gone into the concept that I would have to say Soob engines today are over-engineered like everything else on their vehicles.

And while Subaru has branched out with the Outback, Forester, Tribeca and Impreza, the company's success today is due to and still depends on the Legacy sedan and wagon.

All Legacy models for 2008 use the core 2.5-litre boxer four-cylinder that can trace its lineage straight back to the 1970s. Normally aspirated versions have a single overhead camshaft and produce 170 hp and 170 lb/ft of torque. GT models are offered with an intercooled turbocharger and in this form have double overhead cams and 243 hp and 24l lb/ft of torque.

Subaru, like Porsche, has considerable experience with turbos. The same basic boxer engine has been used (in much modified from) to power Subaru to three World Rally Championships.

The latest innovation is Subaru's own version of variable valve timing that helps the engine operate at peak efficiency depending on load and revs. What it does is adjust intake cam timing to let intake overlap with the exhaust valve to pack in more power.

I've related before that I ran a Subaru Loyale (predecessor to the Legacy) from new in 1990 for 15 years before selling it to a friend to use as a farm hack until it was retired and donated to a school two years ago. Yes the body was gone but, mechanically, it just kept going.

Subaru owners know this and that's why they are so loyal to the brand.

The other core of Subaru is its Symmetrical All-Wheel-Drive (AWD). In the early days of the first generation Legacy it was offered in both front-drive and AWD. When sales showed front-wheel drive was not what the people wanted, Subaru dropped it and, to this day, all Subarus are equipped with its much-developed AWD which is one of the best systems in the world.

Unlike the Outback, which shares much of the same engineering, the Legacy is sold as a sedan and a wagon, with the Outback only available as a wagon. Subaru has held the line on pricing on the 2008 Legacy models across the board.

There are five sedan versions starting with the base 2.5i sedan priced at $26,995/$28,195 (five-speed manual/four-speed automatic) with the Touring Package coming in at $29,195/$30,396 (five man/four auto). The Limited Package comes with the four-speed automatic only at $35,395. The initials 'GT' mean it is a turbo and the 2.5GT is sold at $40,295/$41,795, (five man/four auto).

Lastly is a very special version of the sedan called the 2.5GT spec. B priced at $44,995. Besides a six-speed manual transmission only, it has been given very special sports suspension and steering featuring Bilstein shocks tailored to the driving characteristics of the Legacy.

Interestingly, the U.S. doesn't get the Legacy wagon, but Canada does which is a good thing because a wagon offers so much more utility. For some reason, our American neighbours won't buy wagons but are snapping up crossovers (that are really wagons) in record numbers. Go figure!

Wagons correspond to the sedans in terms of engines, transmissions and trim with the base 2.5i at $27,995/$29,195, the 2.5i Touring at $30,995/$31,395 and the 2.5GT at $41,795/$43,295.

For Legacy 2.5GT models with automatic transmission, the steering wheel itself is now equipped with paddle shifters. The levers are made of rigid aluminum with pads to prevent slipping. The wiper icons on the wiper control arm have been moved so the paddle levers don't hide them.

Legacy 2.5GT models also feature new audio control switches located in the left spoke of the steering wheel, and the multi-information display switches are now located on the steering wheel, so that drivers can operate them without releasing the steering wheel.

On every 2008 Legacy, the cruise control switch has been moved from a stalk behind the steering wheel to switches on the right spoke for easy access. The layout of the satellite switches around the steering wheel has also been changed and nighttime illumination has been added, making them easier to see.

Legacy continues to be equipped with a broad range of standard features, including a split-folding rear seat (both sedans and wagons), cruise control; power windows, door locks and mirrors; keyless entry; adjustable dash illumination; dual-mode trip odometer; generous cabin storage, and a 100-watt AM/FM/CD stereo with MP3/WMA capability. Every Legacy is now also pre-wired for XM and Sirius satellite radio (accessory kit and subscription required).

Subaru is also known for innovative ideas and one of those is Si-Drive.

Just like a rally racecar, the driver can use a rotary knob on the transmission tunnel to custom tailor driving characteristics by selecting one of three modes - Intelligent, Sport and Sport Sharp.

Intelligent reduces engine power by about 20 per cent and torque is limited to 228 lb/ft. This results in a 10 per cent fuel saving. It also means smoother response more suited to commuting or highway cruising.

Switch to Sport and throttle response gets quicker for twisting roads or urban in town driving. Lastly Sport Sharp changes the engine's shift and power maps for more power sooner, lightning fast shifts (in automatic) and it holds the gears longer. This is what you want for tight, twisting roads but where I find it excels is in merging on major highways. Enter the highway in Sport Sharp and after you get in with the flow of traffic, switch to Intelligent and sit back and relax.

Once you get used to working the switch, it starts becoming second nature.

Ride in the Outback is very European in feel and response. You would think with all those sensors, electronics, differentials, half-shafts, etc between the steering wheel and the driver's hands, "road feel" would be negligible and that's true with a lot of SUVs, but not the Outback. You can actually feel the difference in the coarseness of different asphalt road surfaces.

Subaru packed the press launch of the Legacy, the Outback and the Tribeca into one day, so driving impressions are fleeting, but I will be reporting on the Legacy for a full test drive.

But what my co-driver and I both noted was the decidedly European feel to the steering. What road unevenness there was could not be felt by the fingertips but the sensations coming through made me think BMW.

In the meantime, it's safe to say that all Subaru's engineering knowledge is a Legacy that is continuing.



(SUBARU LEGACY 2008 AT A GLANCE)

BODY STYLE: Mid-size sedan/wagon.

DRIVE METHOD: front-engine, all-wheel-drive.

ENGINE: 2.5-litre "boxer" four-cylinder (170 hp, 170 lb/ft); 2.5-litre turbocharged "boxer" four-cylinder (243 hp, 241 lb/ft)

FUEL ECONOMY: 2.5i 10.6/7.3L/100 km city/highway; 2.5i automatic, 10.4/7.5L/100 km city/highway; 2.5GT manual, 10.9/8.5L/1200 km city/highway; auto, 11.9/8.3L/100 km city/highway; 2.5Gt spec. B,12.3/8.2L/100 km city/highway.

PRICE: 2.5i, $26,995; 2.5I Touring Package, $29,195; 2.5i Limited Package, $35,295; 2.5GT, $40,295; 2.5Gt spec. B, $44,995

WESITE: subaru.ca

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