2011 Subaru Legacy

Subaru What's New for 2011

• The fifth-generation Legacy was all-new for the 2010 model year, a true midsize sedan built on an all-new platform; 2.5i models equipped with Subaru's Lineartronic® CVT best some competitors' FWD models with a 31 mpg EPA highway rating. Legacy carries over for 2011 with minor model line updates.
• Folding exterior mirrors standard on all models.
• 2.5 GT Limited now the sole turbocharged model; includes standard power moonroof and fog lights (previously optional), and adds interior refinements; 2.5 GT Premium model discontinued.
• Option packages consolidated on Premium models (2.5i and 3.6R).
• The harman/kardon® Audio Package, which is standard for Limited and optional on Premium models, now includes factory-installed XM Satellite Radio® with a three-month trial subscription.
• Caramel Bronze Pearl replaces Harvest Gold in exterior color lineup.

Source - Subaru

SUBARU INTRODUCES ALL-NEW 2010 LEGACY

Subaru of America, Inc. has introduced the all-new 2010 Legacy® sedan, providing a bolder design language in a larger midsize package. The 2010 Legacy, whose predecessor is renowned for its sporty handling and reliability, now features a longer wheelbase and nearly four inches of additional rear seat legroom. A new powertrain lineup features the new Subaru Lineartronic™ CVT (continuously variable transmission), a new 6-speed manual transmission, a new, larger 6-cylinder Boxer engine and a new 265-hp turbocharged 4-cylinder Boxer engine. The 2010 Legacy is built on a new platform that increases room and comfort while preserving the agility and fun-to-drive spirit of the previous model. New powertrains and new suspension design combine with proven Subaru safety technology to deliver a unique offering in the midsize segment. As are all Subaru models, every Legacy is equipped as standard with Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, an invaluable performance- and safety-enhancing system that sets Legacy apart among midsize sedans. All-wheel drive is rare in the midsize segment, and only Legacy makes it standard on all models and trim lines.





The Legacy line for 2010 offers three levels of performance. The Legacy 2.5i line -- 2.5i, 2.5i Premium and 2.5i Limited -- is powered by a revised 170-hp 2.5-liter 4-cylinder Boxer engine (with available PZEV rating) and equipped with a new standard 6-speed manual transmission or the new Lineartronic™ CVT. Both transmissions help to improve acceleration, response and fuel economy.

The Legacy 2.5GT makes a leap in performance for 2010. Available in Premium and Limited trim, the 2.5GT is powered by a new 265-hp turbocharged / intercooled Boxer engine. The new engine features a unique turbocharger mounted below the engine. This new location contributes to smooth turbocharger response and improved emissions. In the Legacy 2.5GT, this high-performance engine is teamed with a new 6-speed manual transmission. (posted on conceptcarz.com) Designed for the discerning enthusiast, the Legacy 2.5GT is equipped to challenge some of the best names in the sport sedan field.



Reflecting Subaru's focus on value, the 2010 Legacy is priced close to its front-wheel drive competitors. An MSRP of $19,995 for the 2010 Legacy 2.5i is an $800 reduction from the 2009 model and makes it the most affordable midsize all-wheel drive car available in America. An MSRP of $24,995 for the 2010 Legacy 3.6R represents a $1,600 reduction from the 2009 3.0R model and makes it the most affordable 6-cylinder all-wheel drive car in America. (MSRP's do not include $695 destination charge for 48 contiguous states.)

Bold Design Statement in the Midsize Arena
The 2010 Legacy, while rivaling midsize segment leaders in roominess, stands apart with a bold, high-tech look. The Subaru badge is the focal point of the new grille, which features a squared off lower edge. Character lines arc from the grille and form power bulges on the hood, tapering off into the A-pillar. The coupe-like silhouette incorporates a larger greenhouse, and the powerful wheel arches and a shorter deck give the vehicle a sporty look.

Besting Midsize Benchmarks
Built on an all-new platform, the 2010 Legacy offers roominess comparable to mainstream midsize sedans, with a focus on usable space and long-distance driving comfort. The wheelbase grows to 108.3-in., a 3.2-in. increase over the previous Legacy. The 2010 Legacy provides nearly four inches of additional rear legroom, which is enhanced by the scalloped back design of the new front seats.

The new Legacy is 3.2-in. higher and 3.6-in. wider than the previous model, yielding significant gains in head, shoulder and hip room. The 2010 Legacy offers more total passenger room (103 cu. ft.) than many of its competitors, along with one of the largest trunks (14.7 cu. ft.) in the segment. The roomy trunk is a significant achievement considering that the Legacy's AWD requires packaging a rear differential and drive axles. Overall vehicle length is up by just 1.4-in. (now 186.4 in.), but overhang dimensions are reduced compared with the previous model.

The 2010 Legacy interior is not only more spacious than before, but takes another step up in refinement from an already-praised design. The sporty four-dial instrument panel is augmented in all Legacy models by a multi-information display with trip computer located in the center of the dashboard. Richer looking appointments and details abound, including a sporty 3-spoke steering wheel (leather-wrapped in all but the base 2.5i and 3.6R). A new electronic parking brake – with an electronic Hill Holder System -- eliminates the traditional parking brake handle, freeing up space in the center console.

Confident, Agile Handling and Safety for any Road … or any Weather
The new Legacy improves crash-worthiness and provides a stiffer platform for a smoother, quieter ride – but retains the crisp handling and balance for which Subarus are known. Legacy 2.5i and 2.5i Premium models feature 16-in. wheels (alloy on Premium trim level); the 2.5GT models are exclusively equipped with 18-in. alloy wheels with 225/45R18 tires. The 6-cylinder Legacy 3.6R (all trim lines) is equipped with 17-in. alloy wheels with 225/50R17 tires.

All Legacy models for 2010 are equipped as standard with Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC), which combines stability and traction control capability. The 2010 Legacy models are also equipped with a standard 4-wheel disc Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and, new for 2010, the Brake Assist safety system.

All-New Engine Cradle
MacPherson-type strut front suspension is mounted to a new engine cradle, and the engine is attached to the cradle using a new 'wide spread' mount system. The new cradle is designed to also enhance frontal crash protection. A new double-wishbone rear suspension, mounted to a sub frame, replaces the previous multi-link configuration to provide improved ride, stability and handling. The new suspension design helps to reduce levels of noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH). Increased wheel travel and optimized suspension geometry also contribute to improved ride comfort.

New Level of Comfort and Convenience in All Models
Standard comfort and available amenities are increased across the Legacy line for 2010. The base 2.5i, for example, features standard steering wheel cruise control buttons, a 60/40 split fold-down rear seat, new electronic parking brake, automatic light function, overhead console with holder for sunglasses, and a 3.5mm auxiliary audio jack. The all-new electronic Hill Holder System holds the vehicle in place until the driver applies the throttle to pull away from a stop.

Legacy Premium models add more amenities, including a 10-way power driver's seat (with power lumbar support adjustment) and driver's auto up/down window, leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio switches, instrument storage bin with door, ambient light for overhead console, chrome exhaust tip, body-colored mirrors and 16-in. alloy wheels (all 3.6R trim lines have 17-in. alloy wheels as standard). The Premium models also offer additional comfort and convenience options, including a 440-Watt harman-kardon® audio system, a power moonroof, and the All-Weather Package that adds heated front seats and mirrors and a windshield wiper de-icer.

The Legacy Limited models feature standard leather upholstery, dual zone automatic climate control, harman-kardon® audio system, and a 4-way power front passenger seat. The Limited models also exclusively offer an available voice-activated GPS navigation system with an 8-in. LCD display and rear-view backup camera, hands-free Bluetooth® connectivity and streaming Bluetooth audio.

Revised 2.5-liter Boxer Engine
The 2010 Legacy 2.5i models are powered by a revised 2.5-liter 4-cylinder Boxer engine, teamed for the first time to a new 6-speed manual transmission or the available new Lineartronic CVT with 6-speed manual mode. The CVT is standard in the Legacy 2.5i Limited.

The 2.5-liter engine, which is available as PZEV-certified, is modified for 2010 to improve performance, responsiveness, and fuel economy. The engine delivers 170 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 170 lb.-ft. of peak torque at 4,000 rpm. The i-Active Valve Lift System (AVLS) ensures a broad torque curve and smooth response at all engine speeds, while also helping to improve fuel efficiency.

Equipped with the Lineartronic CVT, the Legacy 2.5i achieves 23 mpg city / 31 mpg highway EPA fuel economy ratings, which are comparable to front-wheel drive midsize models. All Legacy models for 2010 feature a larger fuel tank, now 18.5 gallons vs. 16.9 gallons in the previous model, to extend driving range.

Whether teamed to the new 6-speed manual transmission or the Lineartronic CVT, the roomier 2010 Legacy 2.5i provides quicker acceleration than comparable 2009 Legacy models. Either transmission helps make the Legacy 2.5i more responsive in everyday driving.

All-New Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
Subaru has adopted a chain-type CVT, the world's first longitudinally mounted CVT system for AWD production vehicles. Únlike a conventional automatic transmission, which uses fixed gear ratios, a CVT provides infinite variability between the lowest and highest available ratios with no discernable steps or shifts. The CVT continuously and smoothly adapts to performance demand, helping to keep the engine in its most efficient operating range for improved fuel economy and performance.

Because a CVT does not shift gears, the driver enjoys smoother performance in all driving situations. The selectable manual mode of the Lineartronic CVT uses six pre-selected ratios to allow the driver to 'shift' manually using steering wheel paddle controls.

Legacy 2.5GT: 265 Turbocharged Horses
The new-generation Legacy 2.5GT gets a significant boost in performance from the revised 2.5-liter turbocharged / intercooled engine teamed to a new standard 6-speed manual transmission. (posted on conceptcarz.com) Notably, the new 6-speed transmission is more than 50 pounds lighter than the 6-speed unit used in the 2009 Legacy 2.5GT spec.B model.

A larger turbocharger increases boost, and a new exhaust system uses a low-density catalyst for reduced backpressure. To improve turbo response time, the turbocharger is now mounted below the engine. With 265 horsepower and 258 lb.-ft. of peak torque (compared to 243 hp and 241 lb.-ft. in the previous 2.5GT), the 2010 Legacy 2.5GT can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in under six seconds.

3.6-liter 6-Cylinder Boxer Engine: Premium Performance with Regular-Grade Fuel
The new 3.6-liter 6-cylinder Boxer engine replaces the previous 3.0-liter Boxer, yet features similar external dimensions thanks primarily to a unique shortened connecting rod design. As a result, this larger-displacement, more powerful engine maintains its excellent low center of gravity while improving power delivery and significantly improving the driving experience versus the 3.0 engine. Active Valve Control System (AVCS) variable valve timing on both the intake and exhaust valves optimizes power delivery across the engine's speed range while helping to reduce emissions.

The 3.6 Boxer engine produces 256 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 247 lb.-ft. of peak torque at 4,400 rpm, compared to 245 hp at 6,600 rpm and 215 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,200 rpm for the previous 3.0-liter engine. Notably, the 3.6-liter engine sustains at least 225 lb.-ft. of torque from 2,000 to 6,000 rpm, making the Legacy 3.6R feel exceptionally smooth and responsive in everyday driving.

Not only does the 3.6 engine offer greater performance than the previous 3.0-liter unit, but does so using regular-grade fuel compared to premium recommended in the 3.0. The specially tuned five-speed automatic transmission, combined with the greater torque output of the new engine, helps make the Legacy 3.6R more responsive when driving in hilly areas by significantly reducing 'hunting' between gears. The 5-speed automatic transmission also incorporates improved downshift ‘blipping' logic for the 2010 Legacy, which helps transmission responsiveness.

Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive A Key To Brand Identity
Subaru offers three different Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive systems in the 2010 Legacy line – Continuous, Active Torque Split, and Variable Torque Distribution (VTD) -- each tailored to the engine and type of transmission. (posted on conceptcarz.com) In all Legacy models equipped with the 6-speed manual transmission, the Continuous AWD system uses a viscous-coupling locking center differential to distribute power 50/50 front to rear. Slippage at either set of wheels will send more power to the opposite set.

Legacy 2.5i models equipped with the Lineartronic CVT use the Active Torque Split version of Symmetrical AWD. An electronically managed continuously variable transfer clutch actively controls power distribution in response to driving conditions.

Legacy 3.6R models exclusively feature advanced Variable Torque Distribution (VTD) All-Wheel Drive with a 5-speed automatic transmission. (posted on conceptcarz.com) A planetary center differential works with an electronically controlled continuously variable hydraulic transfer clutch to manage power distribution. The VTD system normally sends more power to the rear wheels to enhance handling agility, and it continuously adjusts power distribution in response to driving and road conditions.

The Subaru Safety Story
The Legacy, like all Subaru models, has consistently earned top scores in government and insurance industry crash tests. The 2010 Legacy is designed to further raise the safety quotient. Subaru's Ring-Shaped Frame Reinforcement safety structure, proven over a decade in all Subaru models, again forms the foundation for crash protection and occupant safety in the new-generation 2010 Legacy. A new front subframe (engine cradle) helps improve front impact safety. The 2010 Legacy features greater use of high-tensile steel to keep weight gains below 50 pounds on any one model, despite the much larger interior package.

The 2010 Legacy models include as standard equipment front seat side impact air bags and side curtain air bags that offer additional head protection for front and rear occupants. Intelligent dual-stage deployment front air bags use sensors to detect the presence and weight of a front passenger and also the driver's distance from the steering wheel. The system determines front air bag deployment strength for optimal occupant protection.

New in the 2010 Legacy, redesigned front seat frames provide enhanced protection against whiplash injury in a rear-end collision. With the entire seat optimized for a rear-end collision, Subaru replaced the previous active front head restraints with a more comfortable design.

Source - Subaru