Subaru Liberty
The Subaru Legacy is a car, available in sedan and station wagon produced from medium sized Subaru, automobile Japanese subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI).
The Legacy is marketed since 1989 in all over the world with the same name except in Australia where it is called the Subaru Liberty out of respect for Legacy Australia, an organization that helps veterans and their families during and after wars. According to a press release from Subaru, as of November 2008 have been built 3.6 million copies.
Subaru introduced the Legacy in February 1989 for the Japanese market in 1990 and throughout the world. In Europe, it was marketed in two models:
The engines were available: a 1.8-liter 76 kW (103hp) and a 2.2-liter 100 kW (136hp), both four-cylinder boxer petrol SOHC. In 1992, after a slight facelift, you are introduced to an engine of 2.0 liter SOHC 85 kW (115hp) and a 2.0-liter DOHC turbocharged 147 kW (200hp). The turbocharged variant differed externally from other models by the presence of an air intake on the bonnet and front spoiler rear. The version with the 1.8 liter is only available with front-wheel drive, while the option with all-wheel drive (AWD) was present on the models of 2.0 L and 2.2 L, turbocharged version with AWD was serial.
The second series was introduced in September 1993 in Japan under the name (BC) for the sedan and (BG/BK) for the station wagon, the exterior was designed by Olivier Boulayne. The designations of the model for Europe were the following:
The 2.2-liter engine now has 94 kW (128hp) instead of the 100 kW (136hp) of the first series, while the 2.0-liter engine has remained unchanged ever developing 85 kW (115hp). GL and GX versions were available in both sedan and station wagon and the Outback, it was only available in the station wagon version. With the new series was introduced airbags for the driver and passenger for the first time on the Legacy.
Also in 1993 the GT version was marketed. It was equipped with a 4-cylinder twin turbo EJ20 engine with a power of 250hp with a torque of 308 Nm traction was complete and the change that ran the engine was a four-speed automatic. The braking system was made up of ventilated disc brakes and suspension were independent.
In model year 1996, 2.2-liter engine is replaced by a 2.5-liter engine with 110 kW (150hp). In addition, the Legacy Outback, which has a higher ground clearance have a specific package for light off-road such as a differential lock and rear underbody protection. With the redesign, safety equipment, depending on the line, also extend to the front side airbags.
The 3rd series Legacy debuts in Japan and the rest of the world in June 1998 while in the U.S. the introduction will take place only in 2000 (BE BH sedan and station wagon). For the first time all versions have four-wheel drive permanent, externally compared to the previous series headlights are bigger and with the low beam superimposed on the dazzling, behind the strip of lights is highest where it is always present in the central part, the word Subaru. Are initially proposed two engines both SOHC with 4 valves per cylinder: 2,000 cm ³ 92 kW (125hp) at 5600 rpm and 184 N · m @ 3600 RPM or 2500 cm ³ 115 kW (156hp) at 5600 rpm and 223 N · m @ 3600 RPM. Only in December 2000 is introduced with the new version EZ30D 3.0L H6 engine with 154 kW (209hp) at 6000 rpm and 282 NM @ 4400 RPM. In the versions with manual transmission is combined with a gearbox (Dual Range), with a little speed shorter for faster acceleration and more hill starts, and a center differential with viscous coupling, the torque distribution is identical on both axles (50/50). The manual transmission is also matched the Hill holder, a system that automatically brakes when you stop uphill, unlocking the brakes when you release the clutch. The versions with automatic transmission, electronically controlled (4-speed) continuously distribute the power between the two axes through multiple clutches in an oil bath. For the first time in their Subaru home in the latter version is adopted VDC which is the Electronic Stability Control.
In 1998 was introduced the high-performance version RSK (Rallye Sport Kompressor). The latter employed technical solutions derived from the Subaru Impreza WRC and was used to replace the previous GT-B. The engine that was fitted was a EJ20 Twin-Turbo a power of 280hp with a torque of 343 Nm latter was run by a five-speed manual gearbox with steering wheel controls. Aesthetically, rode u new front bumper, a new spoiler back and incorporated a new outlet for the air to cool the intercooler on the bonnet. The standard rims were replaced with new models 17 ". Suspensions were provided by independent MacPherson strut with anti-roll bars and coil springs. Braking system was composed of ventilated disc brakes.
The Legacy 3rd series, the station wagon version was submitted to the EuroNCAP crash test in 2002, receiving four out of five stars for automotive safety.
On May 23, 2003, Fuji Heavy Industries debuted the new Legacy, known as the BL for sedan models and BP for the Station Wagon. The line was drawn by Andreas Zapatinas greek, head of design for Subaru 2002-2006. Has been marketed around the world as a model year 2004, while U.S. production will start in January 2004 for the U.S. and Canadian markets.
The new model is wider than 35 mm, longer than 40 mm, lower than 45 mm and has a wheelbase of 20 mm compared to Legacy 3rd series. Thanks to various lightening in magazines, crankshafts, media crankshafts, pistons, rings, engine hood and tailgate aluminum weight saving compared to the previous version is around 100kg.
The traditional boxer engine was mounted 22 mm lower and 10 mm thereby improving backlog of the center of gravity and the weight distribution between the two axles. The chassis has been redesigned and made more rigid. Initially for the European market are proposed, such as motors, a 2000 cm ³ SOHC 137hp, a 2500cc SOHC 165hp and a 3000 cm ³ DOHC AVCS 245hp. In September of 2005 (model year 2006) 2000 137hp is replaced by 165hp 2000 until October 2007 (model year 2008) when it was replaced in 2000 with 150hp. For some markets, including the Italian one, ever since September 2005 (model year 2006), the 2500 cm ³ SOHC engine is no longer sold.
For the North American market available engines were initially a 2500cc SOHC 165hp, and a turbocharged 2500cc but always DOHC 243hp unit derived from the Impreza WRX Sti. Since 2008 is also available for the Legacy sedan 3000 H6 engine, available for the Outback sedan and SW since 2000, while the 2.5 liter SOHC increases its power to 173hp.
The front suspension features MacPherson struts take it in the rear is adopted as a Multi Link. The changes are a 5-speed manual gearbox with (Dual Range) for Legacy Outback 2500 to 2000, and gasoline, a 6-speed manual for the Legacy H6 3000, a 4-speed automatic for 2000 Legacy and Outback H6 2,500, while the feature a new 5-speed automatic transmission. Both automatic transmissions 4:05 reports using the technology SportShift (R) Prodrive (TM).
From the 2008 model year, sales of the Legacy and Outback SW sedan were discontinued in the United States, leaving the sedan and Outback while in Canada it went on the market.
From 10 May 2008, the Legacy for the Japanese market can be equipped with a new safety feature, called eyesight. It is the twin cameras, one on each side of the door mirrors, which simulate human use, such as stereoscopic vision to judge distances and generally keep tabs on the driver. The system is able to help maintain a safe distance on the highway, has a warning system, lane departure, of a notice of safety for the driver in various driving situations, and also keeps an eye on the pedestrians. SI-Cruise has been integrated as a function of a help of driver safety.
In March 2008, the European market has been introduced to the world’s first diesel boxer engine mounted on cars. The official introduction of the Legacy and Outback diesel all’AutoShow took place in Geneva. The engine develops 150hp and a maximum torque of 350 N but 1800 rpm.
The engine range consists of 3 engines: two petrol and one diesel.
The Subaru Legacy has obtained the highest scores on tests of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in the U.S.. The Legacy model year 2006, he got a "Good" in frontal impacts, side and rear for both the rider and passenger. Thanks to these results, the IIHS gave the car the first prize in the "Top Safety Pick Gold".
This version of the Legacy was the star of the 2009 film Pink Subaru.
In 2009, the fifth series debuts with a clear step forward in design and size, in fact the car reaches 478 cm in length, which provide excellent interior space for rear passengers; is offered in sedan and station wagon with a range of petrol engines, BI-Fuel (petrol + LPG), diesel and all two-liter boxer with an output of 150hp.
The novelty is represented by the introduction on gasoline and BI-Fuel from the new CVT transmission with 6-speed paddle on the steering wheel and virtual (exchange Lineartronic), a more massive, the adoption of the uprights on the doors, the loss Gear Dual Range reduced, a new 6-speed manual gearbox for the petrol and diesel dall’allestimento Sport version with 18-inch alloy wheels and suspension-dampers group of Bilstein.
On the American market engines are naturally aspirated 170hp 2.5 petrol, 2.5 petrol turbo 265hp, naturally aspirated 3.6 petrol 258hp derivation of Tribeca (also available in Italian for the crossover Subaru Outback also in the "protected" armored bullet-proof); Switzerland is available in version 2.5 turbo combined with an automatic transmission (manual U.S. version) and a 2.5 sucked always automatic.
The Legacy made its debut in the WRC in 1990 led by Markku Alén; In 1991 came the British rally champion Colin McRae; in 1993 there was the first victory of Team Subaru in the WRC after 23 races in the rally of New Zealand, the first and only victory in the Legacy before retirement: a pilot McRae Legacy RS (Gr.A). The inscription on the 555 rally car means "go-go-go", Japanese for 5 reads "go".
280