With
the 20th anniversary of the Subaru Legacy coming up, Subaru will release a
freshly designed 2010 Subaru Legacy. Both the sedan and wagon, the Legacy Outback, will be available as all new
models. Subaru is renowned for its love-or-loathe approach to designing cars, as
seen in the frequent revisions to its Impreza line over the years. The
styling of the new Legacy isn't expected to be as controversial as past
years. The
Subaru Legacy is a full-time all-wheel drive vehicle that provides an exciting
driving experience. With its sporty looks and increased performance, it is an
ideal everyday car with a sports car attitude.
Exterior Design
The new car will still be based upon the lines of the current model. However,
it is immediately apparent that the shape is a
significant departure from the outgoing Legacy. Differences will include a more
prominent grille, sharper and more angular headlights, flared fenders and a more
chiseled overall appearance. Its designers describe it as being significantly
different yet still easily recognizable as a Legacy. The nose has elements
of the Tribeca, specifically the high waistline and the stacked headlights, as
well as some inspiration from Audi. If you cut out the full nose area it is very
similar to Audi's big mouth design. At a glance, it appears as though Subaru is
aiming squarely at the Audi or BMW, but take a look at that ground clearance and
it looks like a true Subaru.
2010 Legacy Cabin
The 2010 Legacy can seat five people. There
is 93.5
cubic feet of passenger volume, which is noticeably smaller than its
competition. Every Legacy gets a revised integrated key fob, which has been
reduced in size. All Legacy models include a 60/40-split folding rear seat
with a center pass-thru. The trunk on the sedan has 11.4 cubic feet of available
cargo room.
Powertrain
The engine range will receive an update, with both
the 2.0L and 2.5L four-cylinder engines returning in more powerful iterations.
The engines that are being retained will be improved to include a new alloy
cylinder block to help reduce weight, lower the engine's center of gravity even
further, as well as a longer stroke action to improve torque levels. However,
the 3.0L flat-six is expected to be phased out due to emissions and
fuel-efficiency issues. The engines will be available in both turbo and
naturally aspirated guises. The entry-level 2.0L engine should develop around
200hp, while a turbocharged 2.5L unit will output close to 300hp. There have
also been rumors of a new Legacy STI in the works, which could be carrying a
turbocharged 3.7L unit pumping out over 430hp. In order to reduce
emissions and improve fuel efficiency, two notoriously weak areas for Subaru,
engineers are working on a continuously variable transmission in addition to the
standard five-speed automatic.
Driving the 2010 Legacy
With the all-wheel drive and good safety ratings,
the 2010 Subaru Legacy will be an excellent vehicle for any driver that must
face slippery or wet roads. The Legacy delivers a refined drive that's
surprisingly agile in a sensibly sized package. Being a bit smaller than
others in the segment actually gives the Legacy an advantage in urban traffic, as
it feels much smaller and will always fit through a narrow streets.
Safety Features
The 2010 Legacy will likely include standard safety
features such as side-impact airbags, side curtain airbags, active front head
restraints, daytime running lights, antilock brakes with electronic brake-force
distribution, traction control, and an electronic stability system.
2010 Early Conclusions
The Legacy series was first introduced in 1989.
Manufactured in Gunma, Japan and Lafayette, Indiana, global production has
exceeded 3.6 million units. The U.S. market accounts for 43-percent of the
production volume. The 2010 Subaru Legacy takes many styling cues from current
and past Legacy sedans, particularly in its overall shape and certain details
like the C-pillars and grille. Other highlights include the company's
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system and low center of gravity. The
fifth-generation model promises a more dramatic exterior, plus a number of
mechanical improvements over the existing iteration.