ALL-NEW SUBARU LEGACY UNVEILED AT CHICAGO AUTO SHOW
- Roomiest Legacy ever with largest cabin in midsize segment
- Higher level of comfort, quietness and refinement
- Revised powertrains and Lineartronic™ CVT for all models
- New infotainment technology with 12-speaker premium audio
CHICAGO – Fuji Heavy Industries, the maker of Subaru automobiles, has unveiled the all-new 2015 Legacy, delivering a more compelling blend of standout design, interior refinement, safety technology and higher fuel efficiency along with the largest interior passenger volume in the midsize sedan segment. Still the only car in its class with Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive as standard, the 2015 Subaru Legacy continues the brand’s safety leadership by introducing an improved EyeSight system and rear radar system that supports new driver-assistance technologies (market dependent).
“The all-new Subaru Legacy represents a new era for the Subaru brand, where our largest sedan offering now finds itself at the fore of its segment in key aspects such as its advanced drivetrain and safety,” comments Ashley Lazarus, Marketing Manager for Subaru Southern Africa.
“The new Legacy is still under consideration for South Africa, with Subaru Southern Africa reviewing local market introduction feasibility for launch no sooner than early 2015.”
The 2015 Subaru Legacy is the best-equipped ever, with all trim lines adding new standard amenities. The Limited trim line models offer the highest level of luxury ever in a Subaru, including standard perforated leather upholstery, two-position memory for the 10-way powered driver’s seat, a 4-way powered front passenger seat, three-mode heated front seats (also standard for Premium) and dual-mode heated rear seats, rear seat air conditioning vents and a high-end surround sound audio system with 12 harman/kardon speakers.
New design language
The 2015 Legacy echoes design themes introduced by the Legacy Concept at the 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show. The production model combines sporty form and efficient function. Key to the sleeker, coupe-like profile is a “nosecone” front section that combines the grille and bumper into one smooth piece. An aluminium bonnet reduces weight over the front wheels, enhancing steering response. The 2015 Legacy maintains a footprint similar to the model it replaces.
The 2015 Legacy’s windscreen is more raked, pulled forward by 50 mm at the base. The new windscreen angle, higher seating hip points, new front partition windows and door-mounted side view mirrors help improve visibility. A 10-percent improvement in aerodynamic efficiency contributes to lower fuel consumption as well. All 2015 Legacy 2.5i trim levels debut a standard Active Grille Shutter system, which helps to improve fuel economy by reducing wind resistance when closed.
In the Legacy 3.6R Limited, new standard HID low-beam headlights give the car a more distinctive night time signature. The U-shape tail and brake lights on all models use LED bulbs for lower power consumption and a luxurious appearance. Limited trim line models feature turn signal exterior mirrors, which are available as an option for the Premium.
New safety and security from a safety leader
The 2015 Legacy comes standard with a rear-view camera, now located closer to the centre of the car for more natural imaging. A new rollover sensor can deploy the side curtain airbags if an imminent rollover is detected. For added night time security, the 2015 Legacy features new standard welcome lighting that automatically turns on cabin illumination and exterior lights as the driver approaches or departs the car. The Limited trim offers a Keyless Access & Start system, as well.
The 2015 Subaru Legacy also introduces a new type of airbag restraint and a new rear radar system. The new front seat-cushion airbags help to keep occupants in place in a frontal collision.
A new rear radar system, which is standard on the 2015 Legacy 2.5i Limited and 3.6R Limited and optional for the 2.5i Premium, introduces the brand’s next step toward full-perimeter preventive safety. The rear radar system offers three functions. Blind Spot Detection detects vehicles behind the C-pillars and in other blind spots; Lane Change Assist detects approaching vehicles when changing lanes, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert detects close vehicles while reversing, such as out of a parking space or driveway. LED indicators on the side mirrors alert the driver. Rear Cross Traffic Alert uses an indicator in the rear view camera display. Also for the 2015 Legacy, new Steering-Responsive Foglights are added, which help illuminate curves for better visibility.
The EyeSight® driver-assist system option for Premium and Limited trim models, integrates Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-Collision Braking and Vehicle Lane Departure Warning. EyeSight, which uses Subaru-developed stereo camera technology, is the highest-rated front crash prevention system by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The 2015 Legacy is projected to achieve the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award.
Four- or six-cylinder Boxer® engines
The 2015 Legacy 2.5i is powered by a double-overhead-cam FB series 2.5-litre Boxer® engine that debuted in 2013 and now receives numerous enhancements for lighter weight, improved efficiency and quieter operation. Power is increased slightly to 131 kW. Peak torque remains at 236 Nm but is spread over a broader engine speed range for more responsive performance.
With the 2015 Legacy, Subaru continues to offer a 6-cylinder model in the midsize sedan segment. The 3.6-litre Boxer® engine produces 191 kW and 335 Nm of peak torque. For 2015, all Legacy models now come standard with a Lineartronic™ CVT (continuously variable transmission), with the 6-cylinder model using a high-torque version. Changes made to reduce friction in the CVT contribute to higher fuel efficiency in the 2015 Legacy. All models are equipped with Incline Start Assist and the electronic Hill Holder System that holds the vehicle in place until the driver applies the throttle.
Quieter ride, enhanced agility
The Legacy offers an even smoother, quieter ride for 2015 thanks to a new acoustic windshield, liquid-filled engine mounts, thicker panels in key locations (floor, toe board, rear wheel apron, inner fenders) and expanded use of foam insulation and floor damping material.
New quick-ratio electric power-assisted steering delivers outstanding feel and also contributes to reduced fuel consumption. Revised spring and damper tuning and geometry and standard 17-inch wheels (18-inch on Limited models) endow the 2015 Legacy with greater handling agility. Active Torque Vectoring, an enhancement of the Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) stability and traction control system also featured on the brand’s high-performance 2015 WRX and WRX STI models, can apply brake pressure to the inside front wheel to facilitate more neutral cornering. The 4-cylinder Legacy now uses the same ventilated rear disc brakes as the 6-cylinder model, in place of solid discs used previously.
More room, greater refinement
Despite almost the same exterior footprint as the previous Legacy, the 2015 model offers a roomier passenger cabin. The added space yields gains in shoulder, hip, elbow and leg room. Rear seat legroom measures a generous 967 mm. The Legacy’s boot has been enlarged to 425 litres, up slightly from 416 litres for the 2014 model, a significant point considering that the standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive™ system requires packaging for the multilink rear suspension, a rear differential and drive axles. A standard 60/40 split fold-down rear seat expands carrying capacity.
The driver faces a decidedly sporty instrument panel in the 2015 Legacy, highlighted by two binocular-style gauge pods with centre LCD information display – 3.5-inches on cars without the EyeSight driver-assist system and 5-inches on EyeSight cars. In all models, an ECO gauge indicates and promotes fuel-efficient driving habits using coloured bars. The Premium and Limited-trim models feature electro-luminescent gauges with elegant blue ring illumination.
Accentuating the passenger cabin’s increased room, the Legacy features a new interior design that highlights horizontal themes. A combination of new soft-touch materials, thicker cushioning for armrests and the centre console and new trim styles give the Legacy a more premium feel.
The heater control panel integrates the digital clock and outside air temperature displays, with the time automatically corrected by GPS in navigation-equipped models. A new one-touch lane changer function for the indicators adds convenience. Legacy Premium and Limited trim levels come equipped with standard auto up/down driver and front passenger windows with pinch protection.
New infotainment
Subaru significantly upgraded infotainment capability in the 2015 Legacy. A new 6.2 Infotainment System in the Legacy 2.5i model provides AM/FM stereo with RDS, a single-disc in-dash CD player, 6.2-inch multi-function touch screen display which integrates the rear view camera, Bluetooth® hands-free phone connectivity and audio streaming, iPod® control capability, USB port and an aux input jack. The multi-touch display offers swipe and scrolling gestures – much like tablets and smartphones,
The upgraded infotainment system in the 2.5i Premium adds a 6-speaker audio system with 7-inch touch screen display, SMS text messaging and dual USB ports.
Standard for the 2015 Legacy Limited models, a new high-end audio system combines a 576-Watt equivalent AM/FM radio unit with 12 harman/kardon speakers, including a front centre speaker and a rear subwoofer. The amplifier and speakers use harman/kardon Green Edge technology, which reduces system weight and power consumption.
The Navigation Infotainment System available for the Premium and Limited trim levels, in addition to the multi-function display, features an interactive voice command system that accepts natural language and phrases and also operates the dual-zone automatic climate control system.
A more versatile centre console in the 2015 Legacy provides a storage area that can hold an iPad. A new covered storage bin at the front of the console incorporates a USB port, 3.5mm aux jack and a 12v power socket. Models with high-grade audio or navigation feature two USB ports, making it possible to listen to music and charge two connected devices.
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive™
Both 2015 Legacy models are equipped with a newly refined version of the Active Torque Split version of Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. An electronically managed continuously variable transfer clutch actively controls torque distribution in response to driving conditions and wheel slippage. The system can send additional torque to the rear wheels either pro-actively or in response to slippage at the front wheels. Taking input from acceleration, steering angle and yaw rate sensors, Active Torque Split AWD optimizes traction and steering response when accelerating through turns and curves, particularly when the road surface is slippery.
