Subaru Announces First All-New Boxer Engines in 21 Years

Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (FHI), Subaru's parent company, has released details on its third-generation four-cylinder boxer engine that will be available in 2.0-liter and 2.5-liter displacements. This is the first overall renewal since the second generation was introduced in 1989. The horizontally opposed flat 4 has been a mainstay of Subaru's Impreza, Forrester and Legacy models for some time.

Subaru claims that fuel efficiency is up by 10%, thanks to a compacter combustion chamber and longer stroke, variable-valve timing (which Subaru calls Active Valve Control System) on both the intake and exhaust valves, lighter pistons and connection rods, a more efficient and compact oil pump and separate engine cooling circuitry for both the block and head.

Power for the 2.0 L engine remains the same at 109kw / 150HP, while torque is up 5 Nm to 196.

The new boxer engine has a slightly higher compression ratio of 10.5 (up from 10.2), a shorter bore (84 mm, down from 92) and longer stroke (90 mm, up from 75). Subaru has yet to release details about changes to the 2.5-liter unit.

The first Subaru to receive the third-generation boxer engine will be the Forester.

By Tristan Hankins

VIDEO: 2010 Subaru Legacy JDM Commercial Starring Robert De Niro

The Japanese market 2010 Legacy isn't due for release until May 20, but Subaru has already filmed a TV spot for its new car starring Robert De Niro. The famous actor appears only for a couple of seconds - at the most- in the commercial that shows a white JDM 2010 Legacy Touring rolling around a mountain road. The estate version featured in the advert will be offered in Japan, Europe and other international markets but not in the U.S. which will have to do with the more crossover-like, Outback.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

New Subaru Legacy Touring Wagon Debuts in Japan

Coinciding with the Japanese market launch of the new Legacy Sedan and Outback models that were revealed for the first time to the public at the New York Auto Show in April, Subaru today performed the world debut of the Touring Wagon version of the Legacy that will be available in key international market including Europe but not in the States. In essence, the Touring Wagon is the same car as the Outback, minus the increased ride height, roof rails and SUV-like body cladding.

Visually, the only differences between the North American and Japanese market Legacy concern a few minor details like the prolonged air intakes at the corners of the front bumper and the redesigned exterior mirrors.

In Japan, the Legacy Touring Wagon is offered with a naturally aspirated and turbocharged version of the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder boxer engine while the 3.6-liter 6-cylinder boxer is available only on the sedan and Outback model.

The European market model that will be unveiled along with the sedan and Outback at the Frankfurt Show in September should get a 2.0-liter boxer petrol unit as well as Subaru's new four-pot diesel.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

My Two Dents on the new Subaru Legacy's Styling

Well, it's official. The new Subaru Legacy didn't make the transition from concept to reality as smoothly as we would have hoped. Whereas the chunky concept seemed to have its proportions pretty much in order, the production car appears bloated if not downright overweight. But that's being a bit too vague, isn't it? Many things can be bloated and attractive, especially if you happen to have a fetish. So, other than looking fat, what is wrong with this car? Let's take a look, starting at the front and moseying on toward the back. Then we'll hop inside.

The headlights appear to have lost their aggressive lines in favor of a Sebring-esque pinched look, and apparently it was decided that the front fascia needed the obligatory smiley-face wide-mouth opening found on at least one car from every brand out there. It looks like a slow child about to drool all over itself, once more reminding me of that "Don't worry, drive happy" commercial. What they were selling I can't recall, but two things are certain: 1) That song will be in my head forever, and 2) I hate that song.

Moving along the side we have those absurd fender flares; this is a family sedan, Subaru, not a rally car. It doesn't need to be an STI (cheap shot alert: didn't you drop out of WRC?). Appropriately-sized wheels would be a plus, but looking at the 2.5GT we see larger wheels only go so far.

The rear would lose points strictly for the fact that a more realistic trunk was needed, but we can hardly fault them for that. What we can fault them for (cha-ching!) is the fact that it looks like Honda humped a Lexus GS's rear.

As for the interior, there isn't anything downright terrible about it, but at the same time there is nothing exceptional. Oh ok, I can't resist. Just to be an ass, I don't like that shift knob on the 6-speed stick; it looks like it belongs in a modded '95 Civic or something. Also, I am tired "aluminum-look" trim (otherwise known as silver plastic). Whether it's in a Subaru or a Porsche, it still screams cheap.

Positive aspects are limited to drive train improvements - which provide buyers with the usual upgraded engines and transmissions (including a CVT) – and an increase in space all around. Aaaand.... nope, no complaints there; none at all.

For me, this car is just boring, unattractive, and a little confused. If it's possible to be blandly extreme, the new Legacy would be exactly that; overwrought sides with a boring front and back. To ever compete with the Camry or Accord, Subaru needs to realize that purchasers of these cars are socially beige; the Legacy's flares alone will scare them off the lot. If, however, someone wants a spacious, all-wheel-drive family sedan and isn't concerned with style, they should definitely take a gander.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

By Phil Alex

Phil Alex was born in Rhode Island in 1985, yet for reasons unbeknownst to him moved to South Carolina. He graduated with degrees in Finance and German from Wofford College in 2007 and has had a strange obsession with cars and travel. When not back in Sparkle City, he resides near Japan's international airport in Narita. He makes no apologies for his articles and welcomes all feedback, as long as it is adamantly worded. Oh, and if for any reason you are inclined to vent some more, check out more of his posts on the Examiner here.

2010 Subaru Outback Pricing Announced, Starts from $22,995

As well as revealing prices for the new 2010 Legacy, Subaru also announced pricing for the sedan's crossoverish sibling, the 2010 Outback. According to the Japanese automaker, prices for the Outback start at the same level as the outgoing model, at $22,995 for the 2.5i that is powered by a revised 170-hp 2.5-liter 4-cylinder Boxer engine mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox. If you prefer the ease of a CVT transmission, it will cost you another $1,000.

This base model comes with 60/40 split-folding and reclining rear seats, floor mats, cargo tray, electronic parking brake with Hill Holder system, auto on/off exterior lights (autolights), audio system with single-disc CD player, auxiliary input jack and 4 speakers, dual lit visor mirrors, updated gauge cluster with 'eco' gauge, multi-function display with outside temperature, overhead console with sunglass holder and remote keyless entry system.

For those that want more, there's the 2.5i Premium that is priced at $24,295 when equipped with a manual gearbox and at $25,295 for the CVT model. In addition to the base model's standard equipment, the Premium adds fog lights, cargo cover, privacy glass, 10-way power driver's seat, driver's side window with automatic up/down, leather-wrapped steering wheel, instrument storage bin w/door, overhead console with sunglass holder and ambient light, body-colored mirrors and 16-inch alloys.

Moving up the price ladder, buyers will find the 2.5i Limited that is offered only with a CVT and costs $27,995. It includes all 2.5i Premium model features plus dual zone climate controls, paddle shifters and a 6-speed manual shift mode, P215/50 R17 all-season tires with 17-inch alloys, perforated ivory / off black leather-trimmed upholstery, 4-way power front passenger seat, All-Weather Package and a Harman/Kardon audio system.

The new range-topping Outback 3.6R, which replaces the 3.0R model, is powered by a 256HP 3.6-liter 6-cylinder Boxer engine matched to a 5-speed electronic automatic transmission. Prices start from $27,995, which according to Subaru, is $4,000 less than the 2009 6-cylinder Outback. The 3.6R gets all 2.5i model features plus P225/50 R17 all-season tires with 17-inch alloy rims, paddle shifters, driver's side window w/automatic up and down, instrument storage bin w/door, overhead console with sunglass holder and ambient light, privacy glass and fog lights.

The 3.6R Premium will have a starting price of $28,995 and includes all 3.6R base model features along with 10-way power driver's seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel and All-Weather Package.

If you don't mind paying $30,995 for the 3.6R Limited you'll get all the features of the 3.6R Premium model plus perforated ivory / off black leather-trimmed upholstery, 4-way power front passenger seat, and Harman/Kardon audio system.

According to Subaru, destination and delivery charge is $695 for all 2010MY Outback models in the Contiguous 48 States.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

2010 Subaru Legacy Priced from $19,995: Up to $1,600 Less than '09 Models

As a rule, new models usually enter the market priced higher than their predecessors, but blame the faulty economy and Subaru decided to charge less for its brand-new 2010 Legacy. More specifically, the entry-level 2.5i version is priced from $19,995 or $800 less than the equivalent MY09 Legacy 2.5i while the range-topping 3.6R starts from $24,995, a $1,600 reduction over the less powerful outgoing 3.0R. Note however that all prices don't include a $695 destination and delivery fee.

The base 2.5i Legacy that's powered by a 2.5-liter normally aspirated four-cylinder boxer with 170HP and mated with either a 6-speed manual transmission ($19,995) or the all-new Lineartronic CVT ($20,995) comes with electronic parking brake with Hill Holder system, auto on/off exterior lights, audio system with single-disc CD player, auxiliary input jack and 4 speakers and remote keyless entry system as standard.

The better equipped 2.5i Premium that costs $20,995 when combined with a manual gearbox and $21,995 with a CVT, adds 10-way power driver's seat, driver's side window w/automatic up and down, leather-wrapped steering wheel, instrument storage bin w/door, overhead console with sunglass holder and ambient light, bright exhaust tip, body-colored mirrors and 16" alloys wheels.

The 2.5i Limited is offered exclusively with a CVT and will have a starting price of $24,995. Additional features over the Premium trim include paddle shifters and a 6-speed manual shift mode, P215/50 R17 all-season tires with 17" alloys, perforated ivory / off black leather-trimmed upholstery, 4-way power front passenger seat, All-Weather Package and Harman/Kardon audio system.

The new Legacy 2.5GT Premium and Limited that are powered by a 265HP turbocharged 2.5-liter boxer engine mated to a new 6-speed manual gearbox, are priced at $27,995 and $29,995 respectively. The 2.5GT Premium includes all the 2.5i Premium model's features plus hood scoop, P225/45 R18 summer tires with 18" rims, dual chrome exhaust tips and All-Weather Package. The 2.5 GT Limited adds perforated ivory / off black leather-trimmed upholstery, 4-way power front passenger seat, and Harman/Kardon audio system.

The range-topping Legacy 3.6R, which replaces the 3.0R model, is powered by a 256HP 3.6-liter 6-cylinder Boxer engine matched to a 5-speed automatic transmission. Prices start from $24,995 with the basic equipment including all 2.5i model features plus P225/50 R17 all-season tires, 17" alloys, paddle shifters, driver's side window w/automatic up and down, instrument storage bin w/door, overhead console with sun glass holder and ambient light, and dual chrome exhaust tips.

The 3.6R Premium starts from $25,995 and includes all 3.6R model features plus a 10-way power driver's seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel and All-Weather Package. Finally, the 3.6R Limited is priced from $27,995 and further includes perforated ivory / off black leather-trimmed upholstery, 4-Way power front passenger seat, and Harman/Kardon audio system.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

2010 Subaru Outback: 30 High-Res Photos and all the official Details

Making its world debut at the New York International Auto Show alongside the new 2010 Legacy sedan is Subaru's fourth-generation Outback model which is the only other version of the new Legacy that will be heading to the States. Like its sedan counterpart, the Outback is a little bit bigger than its predecessor while it also benefits from the introduction of revised powertrain options and an improved 8.7 inches of ground clearance.

Subaru says that even though the new Outback is clearly related to the previous generation models, it "marks a departure in design toward a new, bolder look." We'd go with boring and repeat that Subaru seriously needs to hire some capable designers to convey some beauty and character to the brand's products.

Like its predecessor and nearly any station wagon in the market that want to appear more "off-roadish", the Outback stands out thanks to the customary black body cladding, the higher roof rails and the aluminum decorations plus. Furthermore, ground clearance on the new model has been increased to 8.7 inches which is good news for those that actually use the Outback in the... outback.

Built on an all-new platform, the 2010 Outback sits on a 2.8 inch longer wheelbase, now 107.9 inches, while its also four inches taller and two inches wider than the previous model. However, due to the shorter front and rear overhangs, 2010 Outback is almost one inch shorter than its predecessor. Subaru supports that total passenger room is increased by 8 cubic feet, now 105.4 cu. ft., and maximum cargo capacity (with the standard 60/40 split rear seatbacks folded) is up by 6 cubic feet to 71.3 cu. ft.

The 2010MY Outback will be offered in the States with two engines, the revised 2.5-liter 4-cylinder Boxer that delivers 170HP at 5,600 rpm and 170 lb.-ft. of peak torque at 4,000 rpm and a new 3.6-liter six-cylinder Boxer producing 256HP and 247 lb.-ft. of peak torque. The 2.5L unit comes with a new standard 6-speed manual transmission, or the available Lineartronic CVT while the 3.6L Boxer is teamed with a 5-speed electronic automatic transmission.

All in all, Subaru offers three different Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive systems in the 2010 Outback line. The 2.5i models with a manual gearbox use a viscous-coupling locking center differential to distribute power 50/50 front to rear while the 2.5i with the CVT makes use of an electronically managed continuously variable transfer clutch. As for the range-topping Outback 3.6R, it is fitted with a Variable Torque Distribution (VTD) All-Wheel Drive system that normally sends more power to the rear wheels, continuously adjusting power distribution.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com