Subaru updates 4WD Legacy
Facelift, new engine management and interior
 2007 Subaru Legacy 3.0  2007 Subaru Legacy Sport Tourer 3.0 |
Subaru has updated the 2007 range of Legacy saloon, Sports Tourer and crossover Outback range with new interiors, facelifts, and a so-called three engines in one drive system for the 242bhp three-litre models. They'll all be here in autumn.
Originally launched for the ’04 model year, the ’07 Legacy gets better chassis dynamics, and equipment levels, according to Subaru.
Subaru likes to pitch the Legacy against BMW's offerings, pointing out that its cars are cheaper. For example, the range starts at £17,995 on-the-road for the 2-litre saloon. It includes a bunch of options as standard, including dual-zone climate-control, cruise control, front, side and curtain airbags, a leather Momo steering wheel, 215/45 tyres on 17 x 7 ins alloy wheels, HID headlamps with pop-out washers, electrically-folding door mirrors, a six-disc in-dash CD player with MP3 facility, front projector foglamps and Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel drive system.
‘Three Engines In One’ SI-Drive
The three engines in one claim comes as a result of the company's electronic engine management system -- the so-called Subaru Intelligent Drive, which is standard on all three-litre models.
SI-Drive provides three engine-response programmes allowing the driver to choose between economy, normal or sporty characteristics, dubbed ‘Intelligent’, ‘Sport’ or ‘Sport Sharp’. The modes are selected by a dial on the centre console or via buttons on the steering wheel.
Intelligent Mode optimises the fuel consumption of the six-pot boxer engine and is, said Subaru, most useful in gentle city driving or for long-distance cruising. It gives a soft throttle response, smooth driving characteristics and is economy-focused. It's best matched to the automatic transmission versions which change up early into the highest gear possible and only kick-down when the accelerator is firmly pushed.
Another aid to fuel economy is an ECO gauge installed in the lower portion of the speedometer. This illustrates the difference between current and average mpg. The multi-function display also provides fuel economy read-outs, while the manual-transmission Legacy 3.0R spec.B has a shift-up indicator to promote more economical driving.
Sport Mode provides the best day-to-day compromise for open road driving, reckons Scoobie. It gives a linear throttle response, achieving a good balance between lively acceleration for brisk overtaking and refined overall use. It provides "a more sensitive connection between the driver's right foot and the engine".
Meanwhile, Sport Sharp Mode is more linear and, on automatic versions, it will kick-down early and holds on to lower gears until the rev-limit when needed.
All 3-litre models now have paddle-shifts on each side of the steering wheel, and a downshift blipping control which momentarily raises engine revs for smoother, faster gear-changes, reckons Subaru.
Other improvements for ’07 include better engine response at low to medium speeds for the 3-litre engine in the Legacy and Outback.
Although the 219lb-ft of torque at 4,200 rpm remains the same, pulling power is greater all the way from idle to 3,500 rpm, being especially higher at 3,000 rpm. This improves throttle response and real world fuel economy, reckons Subaru. As before, the Legacy spec.B saloon is the fastest of the 3-litre models with a top speed of 151 mph and 0-60 mph time of 6.5 seconds.
The 3-litre’s torque improvement is thanks to revisions to the intake/exhaust camshaft profile and improved exhaust port shape for better gas flow.
Official fuel economy is virtually identical to ’06 models. The Legacy and Outback 3-litre automatic models, for example, give 38.2 mpg on the Extra Urban Cycle.
Chassis
Steering and handling precision plus ride comfort have been improved throughout the range. The rear suspension geometry is changed while the body is more rigid, especially around the front suspension mounts and frame supports.
In addition, 3-litre models have extra stays between the A-posts and door sills which further enhance body strength and therefore steering response and general stability.
On the Outback, the front and rear dampers have been softened for an even better ride while all models enjoy a weight reduction to the rear suspension yet have stronger mounting points.
The ’07 Legacy and Outback are the first Subaru models to debut a mechanical brake support system. This senses an emergency situation and applies additional brake pressure if it feels the driver is not pressing the pedal hard enough.
Tend to agree. Always felt Legacy offered good VFM & fun by the bundle in 3.0RSpec B. Different kettle of fish to say, sporty A6 estate.Could use estate version too but put off by reported poor economy, quality of interiors & remoteness of dealerships. Maybe above will help economy a bit.
This facelift seems nice enough, I suspect I'd leave it in 'sports sharp' mode all the time
I've heard that the Outback version is actually more fun to drive than the lower, stiffer 3.0R, as the extra softness and weight transfer makes it easier to slide around and get some oversteer happening. Obviously doesn't carry as much speed through the corners, but is more entertaining while it does it.
The Legacy will have a diesel boxer by the end of 2007 or beginning of 2008.
www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11997143/
Personally, part of the attraction of Subaru is that they don't make a diesel. When they start I may have to start shopping elsewhere. Can you imaging an Impreza that looks like an STi, but with a clattery diesel noise instead of that lovely boxer growl. Makes you shiver.
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its a strange one have to agree,and I understand where youre coming from.....I justify it by closing my eyes while writing the cheque for the car,its one-off payment syndrome I guess.What sticks in my throat is putting in 60 quid a week for petrol...the Scot in me loves seeing the range readout go to 600,700-800 miles when I put the oily stuff in....
Personally, part of the attraction of Subaru is that they don't make a diesel. When they start I may have to start shopping elsewhere. Can you imaging an Impreza that looks like an STi, but with a clattery diesel noise instead of that lovely boxer growl. Makes you shiver.
take your point entirely. However, if you do lots of miles, diesel starts becoming a fair old bit cheaper.
For what you get, Subarus are not expensive cars anyway (imo) so they tempt the more financially careful anyway... I just love the idea of a proper 4wd system and 45mpg...
Totally agree, I had the saloon version of the Spec B when they first came out. It was the fuel consomption that killed it in the end.
Add in the savings from the purchase cost (27k GBP) compared to an equivalent spec Audi or BMW (33k + GBP) and over a lifetime of ownership (5 years say) I reckon the books would about balance. Add in the 51% residuals and it makes even more sense.
As for diesel, well I'll need a lot of convincing that's the way to go. The sound of a flat six running round to 7k rpm is magical, and a significant part of the driving experience is gained from working a free revving petrol engine. Diesel simply doesn't float my boat. All very subjective, but for me there is absolutely no reason why I would want pedal a diesel. I struggle to see why anyone would. Seriously, I'd be bored out of my mind in a 2.0 TDI Audi.
As for build quality, I also have a Mondeo TDCi and a ST TDCI on the company fleet. The Subaru is way ahead. In fact nothing has broken or fallen off in 30k miles of hard use. That cannot be said for the Fords - I've already had to have the sun visor, electric window switches, door trim, power steering pump, alternator, and starter motor replaced on one of them - after less than 20k.
Overall a fine all round car. Discrete and swift...but with a shocking stereo. Glad to see they've changed that bit. Oh, and the paint scratches if you so much as look at it. However, the bottom line is that I'd buy another without hesitation when I come to change mine.
Then we'd get the GT Spec B which has the 2.5 litre engine with a twin scroll turbo, six speed box and Bilstein suspension. That then would be tweakable to give say 300bhp like any other STI type engine..
http://www.subaru.com.au/models/liberty/
I can only imagine the kind of performance you would get from a hot Subaru diesel engine, and coupled with the 4WD system it would make the perfect daily driver and mile muncher. I think then you could easily forget your VW/Audi TDi's, BMW & Toyota D's.
I don't think that's a bad thing and would only enhance the image. Subaru engineering is clearly some of the very best there is on this planet and using that skill to design powerful and smooth boxer 4 and 6 pot oil burners IMHO is the way to go.
Actually the Legacy isn't that bad - why isn't the Impreza designer allowed to talk to the Legacy designer?
I think Subaru have totally forgotten that although they have always been a function over form company it would be nice if they actually gave some thought to what the finished artcle looks like. The new Impreza is a case in point although the legacy looks quite a handsome beast even in estate form and very much the Q-car.
Engineers at the Subaru Style department need to get a life and do some drugs to let their minds wander off a bit as I think they're drinking too much green tea and they probably don't get out much
a tru family car for a dad who is going through a midlife crisis
However....you won't see which way my ugly sportwagon dissappeared down that twisty B road
P.S. That really does look every bit the street sleeper and i wouldn't say no. I wouldn't mind those wheels though on mine, in black please!!
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