Geneva Surprise - Spec B Legacy Unveiling
Published: 18th February 2004
Subaru Legacy
Displayed purely as a prototype, the All-Wheel Drive teaser will be uncovered on Tuesday, 2 March at 2.45 pm at the 74th Geneva International Motor Show.
Since launch late last year, the new Legacy has been voted ‘Car of the Year Japan 2003-4’, winning widespread praise for its involving chassis, interior ambience and big improvements in refinement, fuel efficiency and emissions.
Now, the range-topping 3.0R – with its new 245 PS six-cylinder ‘boxer’ engine – has received a raft of driver-focused enhancements sure to whet enthusiasts’ appetites.
For example, the display car will have the same six-speed manual gearbox as the Impreza STi. The current Legacy 3.0R is available as an automatic only.
In addition, the Legacy Spec B features front and rear Bilstein suspension with rally car-like inverted struts for tauter high-speed control.
Also aimed at enthusiasts is a torque-sensing rear limited-slip differential. This gives sharper cornering turn-in and more throttle-adjustable handling. Finally, the show car has larger 18 ins diameter wheels with 215/45 R 18 tyres.
Sports Car And Urban Runabout Concepts
Meanwhile, elsewhere on the Subaru Stand are two concept cars first displayed at last year’s 37th Tokyo Motor Show – the B9 Scrambler sports car and R1e 2+2 urban runabout.
The low, squat two-seater Scrambler combines motorcycle agility with off-road competence thanks to symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and variable-height air suspension with automatic self-levelling.
The B9 Scrambler boasts a petrol/electric hybrid engine which uses an electric motor up to speeds of around 50 mph, only turning to fossil fuel when the charge drops below a certain level.
Also conceived as an environmental champion, the R1e is a stylish small car with an especially sporty stance which hints at high-grip roadholding. It is designed for ease-of-parking urban use and uses an Electric Vehicle power unit comprising a high-performance battery and advanced power control technology.
The light, compact, brushless motor uses a high-energy manganese lithium-ion battery which can be re-charged via a single-phase 200V AC outlet such as that used in the air-conditioning units of many Japanese homes.
Subaru Legacy
Our Subaru Legacy Guide lists the full specification of the current UK Legacy range, including car prices, fuel consumption, dimensions and other vital data.
Price Range: £18,995 - £30,705
Body Styles:
Fuel:
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Models in the range: 15
We have road tested the Subaru Legacy, to read our in-depth car reviews:
Subaru Legacy Review - Sep 2008
Subaru Legacy Review - Dec 2006
Our Car Buyer’s Guide covers all of the UK’s major new cars and includes CO2 ratings and car insurance groups. Data updated on the 21st Sep 2008
