Subaru Legacy concept teaser released ahead of Detroit debut

Subaru Legacy Concept teaser for Detroit NAIAS 2009

Legacy concept features a 3.6 liter Horizontally-Opposed Boxer engine seen in the current Subaru Tribeca

By Alex Ricciuti
December 17, 2008 4:07 PM
Filed Under: Concept Car, Detroit Auto Show, Subaru

Bad news yesterday when Subaru said it was pulling out of the World Rally Championship for 2009. But at least they'll still be in Detroit for the North American International Auto Show in January.

Subaru will be presenting the Legacy Concept there to happily celebrate the Legacy's 20th anniversary. The concept is intended hint as to where Subaru will be taking the next fifth generation Legacy when it arrives in 2010.

The Legacy concept features Subaru's 3.6 liter horizontally-opposed boxer engine seen in the current Subaru Tribeca, which sports 258 hp and 350 Nm of torque. The Legacy's largest engine available now is a 3.0 liter with 245 horses and 297 Nm.

Design cues are hard to spot with that sole front-face photo. But certainly the look has become more technologically-themed with the slotted front spoiler beneath the bumper and the LED driving lights.

Source: Subaru

Press Release (Click to expand)

LEGACY CONCEPT to Debut at North American International Auto Show

Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (FHI), the maker of Subaru automobiles, today announced that it will give a world premiere to the LEGACY CONCEPT at the 2009 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, which will open its doors to the public from January 17 through 25, 2009 (press days on January 11 through 13).

Celebrating 20 years of the Legacy sedan, the LEGACY CONCEPT is a concept model to showcase the direction of future Legacy sedan design. The exterior highlights the sportiness and dynamism befitting a car powered by 3.6-liter, low center of gravity Horizontally-Opposed engine. A distinctive front face and flared wheel arches speak to the presence of the car and the reliability promised by the symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system. The interior embodies high definition with a feeling of comfort.

Subaru Legacy series was first introduced into the world in 1989 and next year it will celebrate its 20th anniversary of the start of production. Produced in Gunma, Japan and Lafayette, Indiana USA, Global production has exceeded 3.6 million units* and production in North America accounts for 43%. The model has been highly acclaimed as a core product of Subaru world-wide due to its excellent driving performance, strong safety record and the dependability provided by Subaru's renowned Symmetrical AWD system with Horizontally-Opposed engine.