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While creating the fifth-generation Legacy, Subaru’s design team followed the key theme of ‘Presence’ – exploiting the all-new platform to evolve recognisable Legacy characteristics, with a touch more authority and bolder treatments for stand-out frontal features such as the grille and headlamps.

The significantly increased length, longer wheelbase and wider track enabled designers to sculpt a New Legacy with a much bolder stance and greatly heightened on-road presence that also hints at Subaru’s core technology – Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (AWD) – which remains at the heart of this newcomer.

The headlight units are larger and stretched longitudinally, while the three-dimensional aspect of their internal components layout is highlighted to give ‘technology’ feel. A new front grille design incorporates the ‘wing motif’ that is a shared feature of the Subaru family of vehicles, enabling the face of the New Legacy to make a powerful statement.

Prominently-projecting wheel arches express the power running through the AWD system. The lower body is designed with minimum character lines to emphasize strength and stability. By contrast, there are strong flowing lines above the belt-line and chrome-plated mouldings around the side glass-house edges. These not only enhance the cabin presence, but also combine to create a premium look.

Overall, the exterior of New Legacy boasts a three-dimensional solidity that expresses a new type of sportiness.

More space, more comfort plus easy functionality

Naturally, the cabin design of the New Legacy reflects the dynamic subtleties of the exterior. The design team’s key mantra was “Active and Quality Feeling” and while exploiting the enhanced cabin space available within the new bodyshell, it paid particular attention to detail to ensure easy-to-use functionality, for the driver and passengers and maximum comfort for extended journeys. Double-seals on all doors and windows enhance refinement by reducing the intrusion of wind noise.

The all-new, larger front seats offer excellent comfort and support, with 10-way power adjustment on the driver’s seat (including lumbar support), and four-way manual adjustment on the passenger seat. The front seats feature 20% softer cushions and 10% softer backrests.

The driver’s seat benefits from more adjustability, with a 10 mm increase in fore/aft slide range, 20 mm more height movement, a 2 degree increase in cushion tilt and now a 20 mm lumbar adjustment. Rear seats passengers are also offered enhanced comfort.

Facing the driver, a new instrument cluster features four dials outlined in aluminium rings, and the new three-spoke steering wheel is leather-wrapped, with integrated audio and cruise controls, and a wider range of adjustment – 40 mm for both reach and rake.

Building on the premium ambience created by the new exterior and interior styling, plus the enhanced and generous cabin space, the New Legacy is comprehensively equipped to ensure maximum comfort for all occupants.

The Legacy, both Saloon and Tourer, feature dual-zone, fully automatic air-conditioning with an anti-dust filter and heating ducts to the rear passenger footwells. A premium audio system, with a radio/CD player, six speakers (including two tweeters) and steering wheel-mounted remote controls, is standard. For the New Legacy, radio reception has been significantly improved by the fitting of two high performance antennas within the rear window glass.

The audio systems are MP3 compatible and a Bluetooth* hands-free system is fitted as standard. Voice activation from the hands-free microphone allows users to make phone calls and operate the audio appliances.

Facing the New Legacy driver, the new instrument panel integrates clarity, functionality and a visual richness in keeping with the premium character of the new model. Four dials are ringed in aluminium and feature an additional liquid crystal display panel in the centre. The dials and the display are illuminated constantly, even in daytime, to improve visibility. The dials appear white with the ignition off and turn light blue with the ignition on. When the ignition is switched on, the gauge needles sweep to the maximum position and then quickly return to zero – heightening the excitement and anticipation of the journey to come. A glow indicator, sediment warning light and diesel particulate filter warning light are also added.

The new Multi-Information Display (MID) is positioned on the centre stack’s upper surface so that it can be viewed from all seats. The MID shows ambient temperature, fuel consumption information (instantaneous fuel efficiency, average fuel efficiency, driving range to empty), passenger seatbelt warning lights and a digital clock.

Major controls in the New Legacy are laid out to minimise both the intrusion into the driver’s line of sight and the time the driver’s hands are away from the steering wheel. Minor controls and switches are positioned to optimise ease-of-use.

Equipment available as standard on the New Legacy includes: automatic operation of headlamps and windscreen wipers, front and rear electric windows (with auto up/down function on the driver’s door and keyless access.

The cabin of the New Legacy is longer, wider and taller than that of its predecessor, facilitating improvements in comfort and practicality. The interior also demonstrates lessons learned in Subaru’s latest ‘packaging innovation’ research programme.

Larger seats are fitted to make best-use of the increased space around each occupant. The space between the front seats has increased by 30 mm and the between the front and rear seats is increased by 62 mm.

Larger rear doors result in improved access to the rear seats, and detailed attention to the window shapes and pillar layouts ensures a greater feeling of ‘openness’ for the rear seat occupants in the New Legacy.

While the width and height of the luggage bay were increased, the depth of the lip between the rear bumper and cargo area was reduced slightly to ensure it is easier for users to load and unload heavy items when lifting them into the interior. In the Tourer, the tailgate, which is 33mm wider and 45mm taller than before for easier access, features an electromagnetic switch for easy opening with a light touch, aided by twin supporting gas struts.

The new front seats have concave backrests to provide extra knee space for rear seat occupants. The rear seat features a folding centre armrest with twin cup holders, in the Tourer, the backrests can be reclined for greater comfort during long journeys and remote one-touch mechanism conveniently located in the cargo bay side panel enables the backrests to be folded flat in one simple operation from the rear tailgate when loading long items.

A larger glovebox will accept 31 CDs, while the new double-decker centre console, which can accommodate 22 CDs, incorporates a 12V power supply and AUX audio input socket.

Two cup-holders are provided alongside the centre console, while a 500 ml plastic bottle can be stored in all door pockets. A 50 mm thick box of tissues can also be accommodated in the front door pockets. A central overhead console is provided for storage of sunglasses and small items.

Standard transmission for New Legacy is a new manual six-speed unit. This compact transmission is the same length as the previous five-speed unit and weighs just five kg more.

Improvements featured in the new transmission include a cable-type linkage and a carbon synchronizer for the first and second ratios, constantly-engaged synchromesh for reverse gear, to improve the shift feel and optimised lubrication paths for reduced friction losses. The broader ratio coverage provide by the six-speed unit delivers better fuel economy, plus improved drivability and quietness at higher speeds.

Following the strong tradition of the ‘Subaru Dynamic Chassis Control Concept’, engineers devised and developed the chassis and running gear for the New Legacy to feature many new and updated components. Their aim was to create a new Subaru that was exceptionally comfortable and safe to drive for long periods, and over many years of ownership, while also guaranteeing good drivability, high performance and genuine motoring pleasure.

To reduce noise, vibrations and harshness (NVH), and to enhance ride comfort, the engine mounting structure has been entirely renewed, for the first time since the Subaru 1000 model of 1966. An all-new ‘Cradle Mount System’ was adopted where the engine and transmission are mounted on a sub-frame – rather than directly to the bodyshell. This system brings numerous benefits.

The sub-frame is attached to the bodyshell using rubber bushes, especially tuned to dampen different frequencies of vibrations generated by the engine, transmission and suspension. For example, the main cushion rubber uses a liquid-filled type of bush, and the engine is supported on the subframe at four widely-spread points.

In addition, the front suspension and the power steering are mounted on the sub-frame, so that potential vibrations from the road surface are not easily transferred to the bodyshell or the car’s occupants – improving ride comfort and refinement.

New front and rear suspensions

For the New Legacy, Subaru has adopted a revised MacPherson strut front suspension, with the lower arm mounted on the sub-frame for greater stability. Steering response is enhanced, and quietness is increased by reducing vibrations. The thickness of the stabiliser (anti-roll) bar is increased, improving roll stiffness without requiring a change to the main spring rates. Road-holding during cornering is enhanced (thanks in part to a wider track), while smooth ride comfort is retained with extended wheel travel and optimised geometry.

At the rear, new ‘short height’ compact double-wishbone suspension is used to minimise intrusion into the cabin or cargo space. For maximum refinement, all the suspension links and the rear differential are installed on a new sub-frame. Large bushes are used between the sub-frame and the bodyshell to minimise transfer of NVH.

To achieve an ideal ride/handling balance, new low-friction type dampers are fitted front and rear. These dampers are tuned exclusively to match the characteristics of the New Legacy model’s standard 16-inch wheels and tyres, ensuring a sense of ‘solidity and stability’ in fast driving, without loss of smoothness.

Electric power steering for improved fuel economy

In order to improve both steering feel and fuel economy, a new rack-and-pinion steering system with electric power assistance has been adopted. The system is mounted on the front cradle frame at four points, which increases rigidity of the steering system, and enhances its initial response to driver inputs.

New electronic parking brake and hill-hold function

The all-disc braking system, with ABS and EBD (Electric Brake-force Distribution) as standard, has a linear feel with retardation corresponding closely to applied brake pedal pressure. A redesigned master cylinder gives a 30% faster response to driver inputs on the brake pedal.

Brake Assist is also standard, developing maximum stopping power automatically when the system detects emergency application of the brakes.

For the New Legacy, an innovative electronic parking brake is used. Controlled by a dashboard mounted switch, the new system does away with the traditional hand brake, freeing up cabin space and allowing a cleaner, less cluttered centre console design. If the doors are closed and the driver’s seatbelt is fastened then the parking brake will automatically release when the driver operates the accelerator pedal.

The new braking system also introduces a ‘Hill-Hold’ function. When the vehicle is stopped on a slope of 5% or more this feature will hold the vehicle on the brakes for one second after the driver removes their foot from the clutch – long enough to move it to the accelerator without rolling back; a feature that is particularly useful when towing.

Wheels and Tyres

The standard wheel and tyre combination for the New Legacy is a 16-inch alloy wheel with 205/60 R16 tyre. A conventional ‘spare wheel’ is not fitted, instead an easy–to-use puncture repair kit is supplied as part of Subaru’s vehicle weight reduction programme.

As well as ‘new-look’ styling, larger dimensions and new suspension, the New Legacy has a completely reviewed and re-engineered bodyshell. The all-steel unitary structure is refined to enhance ride, handling and refinement, while also delivering the highest level of crash safety performance. The New Legacy was recently awarded a 5-Star Euro NCAP crash safety rating, confirming that Subaru’s structural and safety engineers have achieved their targets for this new model.

Newly developed, the bodyshell is both lighter and stiffer, featuring ring-shaped reinforcement frames – ‘circular links’ – joining the A, B, C (and D-pillars, on the Tourer), with cross members at roof and floor level. This creates a series of ‘circular links’ which strongly protects the cabin occupants. Ultra-high-strength steel plate (980 Mpa level) is used at key portions of the bodyshell to achieve strength without adding significantly to overall weight.

By fully exploiting the structural characteristics of the newly adopted sub-frame mounting system, the front body structure is redesigned to improve the rigidity of the front suspension installation and to enhance impact resistance as well as steering response. These improvements, and reinforcement of the engine bay bulkhead and toe board areas, were accomplished while also saving 6 kg from the front body panels.

The rear floor structure has also been optimised to accommodate the new sub-frame and to reduce weight while increasing rigidity, further improving rear suspension characteristics and vehicle drivability.

Delivering ‘5-Star’ crash safety protection

Using the advanced ring-shaped reinforcements throughout the New Legacy bodyshell enhances collision safety and resistance to impacts from all directions. In addition, the newly adopted ‘cradle mount’ sub-frame mounting system contributes to an enlarged front-end crush zone, further improving occupant protection and the Euro NCAP test performance.

During a front-end collision, the new front ‘cradle mount’ sub-frame deforms in a controlled manner and pushes the power unit downwards to the rear. As a result, the rearward movement of such a large mass dissipates impact energy and assists the efficient absorption of collision energy by the main body structure.

To enhance side-impact protection, ultra-high-strength steel plate (980 Mpa level) is used for the B-pillar and side sill structures to improve the local cabin area rigidity. In addition, two door impact beams are placed within each front and rear door. By optimally positioning the beams in relation to the door’s internal structure, a sufficient crush space is ensured to minimise intrusion. Furthermore, a ‘door catcher’ is fitted to the bottom of the rear door to prevent it intruding into the cabin.

Despite the relatively short rear overhang, the New Legacy’s structure is optimised so that rear impact energy is efficiently absorbed by controlled and gradual crushing of the rear sub-frames.

To minimise repair costs after a low-speed frontal collision, new impact-absorbing crash boxes are provided behind the front bumper. Impacts of approximately 14 Kph or less can be absorbed without affecting the main frame members. In addition, the crash boxes can be replaced separately, aiming at reducing repair costs, time and the amount of resources to be used. Each part of the radiator is attached by bolts, rather than welding, thus making parts replacement during repairing easier, quicker and cheaper.

To achieve the same goal at the rear, a new bumper beam with an impact absorption feature has been adopted.

‘Passive’ safety advances that also benefit pedestrians

While a robust structure can form the foundation for a truly safe car, Subaru has also ensured that the New Legacy is comprehensively kitted out with a full range of both ‘passive’ and ‘active’ safety equipment – as the best way to prevent occupant injury is to overcome the hazards of daily motoring and avoid any accident in the first place.

The new front seats have significantly-increased frame and inner-structure stiffness to provide protection against whiplash injuries. New-design, energy-absorbing head restraints offer greater protection by reducing head impact forces.

Front dual, side and curtain airbags are fitted as standard on all models. The side and curtain airbags are enlarged for enhanced performance, and the airbag impact sensors have been upgraded to improve responses.

To protect the driver’s knee and lower leg, the steering column’s structure has been redesigned with an impact-absorption space, and a knee protector is fitted. All the foot pedals have a collapsible function (above a pre-set g-force) to reduce the likelihood of foot injuries.

The issue of pedestrian protection has also been addressed. New, impact-absorbing materials and an optimised structure around the front bumper have been designed to exceed the European next-generation pedestrian protection standards, which are the most stringent in the world.

Although steel is used for the hood (to maximise protection of the car’s occupants), the impact-absorbing space beneath the hood and above the low boxer engine is enlarged, and the structure is improved around the body cowl to reduce possible injury to a pedestrian.  

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