The New Legacy And Outback
Published: 11th October 2003
- On sale in November from £15,750 OTR (Legacy 2.0i saloon)
- Even more involving driving dynamics
- Horizontally-opposed boxer engine and all-wheel drive transmission lowered, chassis thoroughly revised
- Exterior presence and interior quality matches prestige Europeans
- Lighter, wider, more aerodynamic new bodies
- New 245 PS 3.0 litre six cylinder ‘boxer’ gives 147 mph top speed
- More power, higher top speeds for 2.0 and 2.5 litre models
- Dramatically better fuel economy – up to 7.1 mpg improvement (Legacy 2.5i automatic)
- Spectacular CO2 cut throughout range
- ‘Benefit-In-Kind’ tax reduction – Legacy 2.0i Sports Tourer down from 27 per cent to 20 per cent
- Sweeter-sounding ‘burble’ from new ‘constant pulsation’ exhaust
- New transmissions include five-speed auto with sequential shift for Legacy 3.0R saloon and Sports Tourer and Outback 3.0R
- Greater ground clearance for crossover Outback – up from 190 mm to 200 mm
- Standard active front head-restraints, dual-stage front airbags, head and chest-protecting side airbags, ABS with EBD. Curtain airbags available
On sale from November, the Legacy range starts at an identical £15,750 OTR as before for the 2.0i saloon.
However, other models show savings of up to £1,250 in the case of the Outback 2.5i (now £20,000 OTR), while the range-topping Legacy 3.0R starts at £24,250 for the saloon version.
Exterior styling for the new Legacy and Outback now has a confident new poise and presence and the interior ambience matches the best the sporting executive sector has to offer.
Meanwhile, the symmetrical all-wheel drive driving dynamics are even more involving than ever, with the horizontally-opposed ‘boxer’ engines and transmissions lowered and chassis and steering thoroughly revised for an outstanding ride and handling combination.
A new ‘flat-six’ 245 PS powerplant is fitted to the Legacy 3.0R saloon and Sports Tourer (estate) plus the Outback 3.0R, giving top speeds of 147 and 139 mph respectively.
