New Legacy Outback features a continuously variable transmission

By Daryl Lee

ON AUGUST 12, Motor Image, the local distributor for Subaru cars, announced the launch of the new Legacy Outback wagon.

As before, the Legacy Outback sets itself apart from its sedan and regular estate siblings by being equipped with a raised suspension, which endows it with SUV-like driving ergonomics.

The new Legacy Outback is larger and is now comparable in size to Subaru’s Exiga MPV, with the Outback even managing to trump the seven-seater Exiga in overall length by 35mm at 4,775mm.

The generous 2,745mm wheelbase now allows passengers in the rear seat to fully stretch their legs, while the revised interior now has a more upmarket feel with leather door panels.

The old multi-link suspension on the previous Legacy has also been replaced by a more complex double wishbone arrangement.

Tweaks have been made to the familiar 2.5-litre boxer-four, which now produces 165bhp at 5,600rpm over 163bhp at 5,600rpm in the old Legacy. Peak torque is improved slightly and comes in quicker with 229Nm available from 4,000rpm versus 226Nm at 4,400rpm. There will also be a new 3.6-litre version with a boxer-six engine.

In the new 2.5-litre Outback, accelerating from 0-100km/h takes 10.4 seconds with a top speed of 198km/h.

The engine is mated to a “Lineartronic” CVT transmission with manual override.

Sources from Motor Image indicate that a local launch will most likely take place in October and are already taking pre-orders with prices starting at $91,000 with COE for the 2.0-litre sedan and up to $124,000 with COE for the 3.6-litre Outback estate.