| Subaru Introduces the New Legacy Series in Japan |
Fuji Heavy Industries, Ltd. (FHI), a global manufacturer of transportation
and aerospace-related products and the maker of Subaru automobiles, today
announced the domestic release of the new Legacy family of full-time All-Wheel
Drive (AWD) sedans and wagons. The new Legacy series, consisting of the
Touring Wagon, the B4 sedan, and the Lancaster crossover utility vehicle,
has been developed to ensure driving pleasure, comfort, and safety within
the pursuit of ideal performance in a transportation tool. The new models
not only feature superb driving performance and a comfortable ride, but
their designs also address environmental concerns. Recent improvements
in the power train systems reduce harmful exhaust emissions, and the excellent
fuel economy of the Legacy series contributes to the overall reduction
of carbon dioxide emissions.
The new Legacy has added three new models, including the agile B4 RS25,
equipped with a 2.5 liters DOHC engine that delivers great torque output
and crisp throttle response. The three models incorporate the advances
in sporty exterior design, performance, and overall quality of the series.
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Touring Wagon GT-B E-tune |
B4 RSK |
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| Lancaster 6 | |
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Designed to express power and an active attitude, the new Legacy series has adopted a simple, yet sharp and sophisticated front view with a wider front grille and redesigned headlights and turn indicator lights. High Intensity Discharge (HID) low-beam headlights ensure excellent visibility in the dark. |
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The Subaru emblem of six stars has been incorporated into the front grille design to strengthen Subaru brand identity. (See *About the Subaru Emblem at the end of the release.) | |
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Newly designed 17-inch spoke-type aluminum-alloy wheels and sporty 16-inch aluminum-alloy wheels gives a fresh look to the dynamic Subaru profile. | |
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A choice of 12 body color combinations is offered, including such new vivid and fashionable colors as Copper Orange Mica, Mist Green Opal, Premium Silver Metallic, Woodland Green Mica, Black Topaz Mica and Nautic Blue Mica. | |
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A sunroof is offered as an option in the B4 models in addition to the currently available sunroof option in the Touring Wagon and the Lancaster models. |
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Higher visibility displays have been newly designed for the speedometer and other gauges of the instrument panel for all models in the Legacy series. An optional navigation system has been upgraded from CD-ROM with 5.8-inch display to DVD-ROM with a 6.5-inch display (except for the Lancaster 6 ADA model, which retains the 5.8-inch monitor). |
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A choice of two audio systems is offered: CD player or an MD/CD player, both packaged together with an AM/FM radio tuner. | |
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High-quality materials and comfortable shapes in the interior, including leather-covered seats and a driver's seat equipped with an easily adjusted lumbar support, provide a pleasant ride. Leather-trimmed seats are available with the B4 RSK and RS25, the Touring Wagon GT-B E-tuneII, GT, and 250S, and the Lancaster, Lancaster S, and Lancaster 6. |
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The new Legacy comes with three basic engine configurations: the SOHC horizontally opposed 4-cylinder engines (2.0 liters); the DOHC horizontally opposed 4-cylinder engines (2.0 liters); the DOHC Turbo-charged horizontally opposed 4-cylinder engine (2.0 liters); the DOHC horizontally opposed 4-cylinder engine (2.5 liters) and the DOHC horizontally opposed 6-cylinder engine (3.0 liters). |
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Torque output has been improved by 3 to 7% in the low to medium speed ranges in all engines except for the 4-cylinder 2.0 liters DOHC. By modifying a compressor housing and adopting a compact compressor wheel, the DOHC Turbo 2.0 liters engine features improved torque output by about 7% in the range of 2000 rpm to 4000 rpm, while the intake systems of other Subaru natural-aspirated engines have been redesigned to boost their torque outputs. | |
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By adopting the Electronic Gas Injection (EGI) system that employs both an air-to-fuel ratio sensor and an O2 sensor in all the models, as well as by modifying specifications in the catalysts and introducing an EGR (emission gas recirculation) system, all Legacy models have now achieved certification as low-emission vehicles (LEVs) by Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. |
| Models equipped with: |
2.0 liters SOHC NA engine |
2.0 liters DOHC NA engine |
2.0 liters DOHC Turbo engine |
2.5 liters DOHC NA engine |
3.0 liters DOHC NA engine |
| E-LEV * |
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| G-LEV | |
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* E-LEV certification requires that exhaust emissions be reduced by an additional 50% from the levels approved under Japan's 2000 exhaust emission regulations, whereas G-LEV requires the reduction of an additional 25%. | |
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indicates newly certified. |
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The new Legacy models have realized excellent fuel economy through improvements made to non-turbo engines. Those equipped with 2.0 liters SOHC engines with automatic transmission (AT), 2.0 liters DOHC engines with 5-speed manual transmission (MT), or 3.0 liters DOHC engines have met Japan's 2010 fuel economy standards that were set in April 1999 by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. | |
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The rear multi-link suspension fitted in every new Legacy model has been enhanced through the addition of a Side Performance Arm that connects with front sub-frame parts, thereby providing better maneuverability and excellent straight-line stability. In addition, the models with 2.0 liters DOHC Turbo engines are equipped with an improved strut-type front suspension that is reinforced by a Cross Performance Rod that firmly links lower arms and center parts of front cross members for high stability. |
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Suspension geometry for the Lancaster models has been changed for better control of pitching moves at vehicle start and stop, thus contributing to high stability. At the same time, rebound springs have been adopted in the front suspension that will reduce rollover effects at cornering and improve directional control. | |
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All models have been fitted with four-wheel disc brakes with an improved antilock brake system (ABS) that ensures better braking control. The models equipped with the 2.0 liters SOHC natural-aspirated engine have a newly developed Brake Assist function that facilitates braking to the range in which the ABS kicks in to further improve safety. |
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The B4 RS25, fitted with a responsive and powerful 2.5 liters DOHC engine, is designed to provide driving pleasure for activity-oriented drivers. It is equipped with Bilstein-made dumpers and 17-inch tires. |
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The Lancaster 6 ADA model with a 3.0 liters DOHC engine offers Active Driving Assist (ADA) functions, which include a following distance warning for cars driving ahead, as well as a warning to assist staying in-lane, following distance controlled cruise control, and a speed alarm for sharp cornering. | |
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The Touring Wagon 250S, fitted with the 2.5 liters DOHC engine, is a new addition to the series. |
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The new Legacy models carry the newly refined Subaru emblem of six stars on their front grilles. Subaru is a Japanese term that identifies a cluster of six stars that the Greeks called the Pleiades, a part of the Taurus constellation. In 1953, five Japanese companies merged to establish FHI, and the company adopted the Subaru logo to signify the five stars joining into one big star. | |
| The six-star logo has been used for Subaru's vehicle emblem design since 1958, when FHI introduced the Subaru 360. While Subaru vehicles outside Japan have always retained the six-start emblem, FHI switched to model-specific brand emblems in the Japanese market some years ago. Recently FHI resumed the policy to use the refined Subaru emblem again with this new Legacy series and will continue to use the Subaru emblem on new cars. The universal use of the Subaru emblem is part of FHI's ongoing efforts to strengthen the Subaru brand identity and to raise brand awareness in view of the distinctions among the various lines offered under the strategic alliance with GM and Suzuki. | ||
