CHUNKY LOOKS The Legacy concept's exterior design gives strong hints to how the fifth generation model will look like

By Justin Lee

SUBARU UNVEILED ITS Legacy concept car at the 2009 North American International Auto Show, celebrating twenty years since the original one was first put on sale.

The company says the concept gives strong hints to how the fifth generation model will look like when it goes into production.

Unlike the sleek looking one currently on sale, the concept gets a chunkier exterior design which Subaru hopes will give it more presence.

It is powered by a 3.6-litre boxer engine mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox and is equipped with the brand’s signature Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system.

The production versions when launched here will most likely get the outgoing model’s range of flat-four engines and transmissions, a 2.0-litre normally aspirated unit mated to a four-speed automatic and a 2.5-litre turbocharged one equipped with a five-speed automatic.

At 4795mm long, 1821mm wide, 1498mm high, the concept is 130mm longer, 91mm wider, 73mm taller than the current fourth generation car. Its wheelbase is also longer by 80mm measuring in at 2750mm.

Subaru promises that the new car’s interior will constructed using high quality materials. This is most probably in a bid to quell criticism leveled at the brand of late for the cheap feeling cabins seen in the Impreza, Forester and Exiga.

The Legacy concept is expected to make its arrival in production form in 2010 though the exact details of the car’s Singapore debut is still unclear.