Legacy Sports Tourer and Outback – world’s first Boxer Diesel passenger car
Posted on 01/21/2008 under: Sports/GTs, Subaru
It’s here. The world’s first boxer diesel engined-passenger car has arrived, offering outstanding refinement, throttle response and fuel economy coupled with ultra-low emissions and exceptional handling thanks to the light weight and low centre-of-gravity of its horizontally-opposed powerplant. On sale from February 2008, the Subaru Legacy Sports Tourer and Outback crossover mid-sized estates are priced from just £19,995 on-the-road for the Legacy 2.0TD R model. Saloon versions may follow once supplies become more plentiful.
The Japanese manufacturer’s Boxer Diesel engine will initially only be fitted to European-market cars, with the yet-to-be introduced new Forester receiving the engine in September and new Impreza three months later.
Commenting on the models, Subaru (UK) Limited’s Managing Director, Lawrence Good, said: “The significance of this outstanding new Boxer Diesel engine to both sales opportunities and our dealer network cannot be underestimated.
“With a UK diesel market share now running at 40 per cent this is the answer to many loyal and potential customers’ future motoring needs.”
The launch of the Boxer Diesel Legacy and Outback will be backed by a high-profile TV and print advertising campaign with the strap-line: “It’s Here”.
Class-Leading Figures
The 150 PS Boxer Diesel Legacy and Outback not only have the best fuel efficiency in the 4WD passenger car class but beat all main 2.0 litre two-wheel drive rivals including the new Ford Mondeo TD and VW Passat – both in lower-powered 140 PS formats.
The Legacy Sports Tourer 2.0TD R, for example, returns 49.6 mpg on the Combined Cycle with 151 g/km of CO2.
Its 2WD Ford Mondeo estate equivalent returns 47.9 mpg with 156 g/km, while the VW Passat 2.0 TDI estate gives 47.1 mpg and 158 g/km.
Comparing the new Legacy Sports Tourer with the 4WD version of the Passat – called the 2.0 TDI 4Motion – shows the Subaru to be 8.7 mpg better on the Combined Cycle with emissions down by 31 g/km compared to the VW.
Nor are these figures achieved at the expense of performance. The Legacy Sports Tourer has a 126 mph top speed and 0-60 mph time of 8.5 seconds while the Outback is only slightly behind at 124 mph and 8.8 seconds for the 0-60 mph dash.
Refinement is also a Boxer Diesel strongpoint, with official moving sound levels of 70.5 dB (A) compared to the Mondeo’s 71.0 and Passat’s 73 dB (A). Even a Rolls-Royce Phantom is higher at 72.0 dB (A).
Thoroughly-Developed Package
The new Boxer Diesel Legacy and Outback are thoroughly-developed models in their own right with several unique features to suit their diesel application.
For example, the engine has liquid mounts, with the body benefiting from extra sound-proofing to enhance refinement, while the five-speed manual gearbox has higher ratios to suit the diesel’s stronger torque and lower engine speed.
The power-steering is now electric to improve fuel economy and carefully tuned for strong feel and response. Front spring rates have also been tuned to suit both the diesel engine and new steering system.
The Boxer Diesel’s front brakes have also been uprated and the gear-lever length reduced by 10 mm for a sportier, shorter throw.
Even the air-conditioning unit has been modified to provide hot air earlier in the engine’s warm-up cycle, diesel engines having different characteristics to petrol powerplants.
Visual changes include new cloth seat trim for Legacy and Outback R models and a discreet bonnet air intake scoop.
Source: Subaru
