New Subaru Legacy Touring Wagon Debuts in Japan

Coinciding with the Japanese market launch of the new Legacy Sedan and Outback models that were revealed for the first time to the public at the New York Auto Show in April, Subaru today performed the world debut of the Touring Wagon version of the Legacy that will be available in key international market including Europe but not in the States. In essence, the Touring Wagon is the same car as the Outback, minus the increased ride height, roof rails and SUV-like body cladding.

Visually, the only differences between the North American and Japanese market Legacy concern a few minor details like the prolonged air intakes at the corners of the front bumper and the redesigned exterior mirrors.

In Japan, the Legacy Touring Wagon is offered with a naturally aspirated and turbocharged version of the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder boxer engine while the 3.6-liter 6-cylinder boxer is available only on the sedan and Outback model.

The European market model that will be unveiled along with the sedan and Outback at the Frankfurt Show in September should get a 2.0-liter boxer petrol unit as well as Subaru's new four-pot diesel.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

VIDEO: 2010 Subaru Legacy JDM Commercial Starring Robert De Niro

The Japanese market 2010 Legacy isn't due for release until May 20, but Subaru has already filmed a TV spot for its new car starring Robert De Niro. The famous actor appears only for a couple of seconds - at the most- in the commercial that shows a white JDM 2010 Legacy Touring rolling around a mountain road. The estate version featured in the advert will be offered in Japan, Europe and other international markets but not in the U.S. which will have to do with the more crossover-like, Outback.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

Subaru Announces First All-New Boxer Engines in 21 Years

Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (FHI), Subaru's parent company, has released details on its third-generation four-cylinder boxer engine that will be available in 2.0-liter and 2.5-liter displacements. This is the first overall renewal since the second generation was introduced in 1989. The horizontally opposed flat 4 has been a mainstay of Subaru's Impreza, Forrester and Legacy models for some time.

Subaru claims that fuel efficiency is up by 10%, thanks to a compacter combustion chamber and longer stroke, variable-valve timing (which Subaru calls Active Valve Control System) on both the intake and exhaust valves, lighter pistons and connection rods, a more efficient and compact oil pump and separate engine cooling circuitry for both the block and head.

Power for the 2.0 L engine remains the same at 109kw / 150HP, while torque is up 5 Nm to 196.

The new boxer engine has a slightly higher compression ratio of 10.5 (up from 10.2), a shorter bore (84 mm, down from 92) and longer stroke (90 mm, up from 75). Subaru has yet to release details about changes to the 2.5-liter unit.

The first Subaru to receive the third-generation boxer engine will be the Forester.

By Tristan Hankins