2005 Subaru Legacy Turbo
The U.S.-market 250-hp turbo, at 2.5 liters in displacement, is down about 30 horsepower from the Japanese-market 2.0-liter turbo at 280 hp. The optional engine will be a naturally aspirated 3.0-liter flat-six, also making 250 horses, a reworking of the six currently employed in the Outback. The turbo model has a paddle-shifting option on the five-speed automatic and should come with 17-inch wheels mounted on rubber measuring 215/45, with 16-inchers on the base cars.
We spent a day at Fuji Raceway trying to make these cars cry. The turbo model claims a 0-to-62-mph time of 5.8 seconds, and it gets there with a vibrant, singing exhaust note. It has great balance, steering that is light and progressive, and an absence of oversteer owing to the all-wheel drive. It was great fun to toss around. It should cause concern for a lot of pricier cars, and we think the U.S. car's power sacrifice shouldn't dissuade anyone. With any luck, the turbo car should sell in the $27,000-to-$29,000 range, with the blown wagon going for $3000 more.
Manufacturer: Fuji Heavy Industries, Limited, Tokyo, Japan
Vehicle type: front-engine, 4-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan or 5-door wagon
Estimated base price: $25,000
Engines: SOHC 16-valve 2.5-liter flat-4, 165 hp (est); turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve 2.5-liter flat- 4, 250 hp (est); DOHC 24-valve 3.0-liter flat-6, 250 hp
Transmissions: 5-speed manual, 4-speed and 5-speed autos with manumatic shifting
Wheelbase: 105.1 in
Length: 182.5-184.3 in
Curb weight: 3000-3200 lb
Ya, I would say Subaru is making a move on the performance market.