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It’s here. The world’s first boxer diesel
engined-passenger car has arrived, offering outstanding refinement,
throttle response and fuel economy coupled with ultra-low emissions and
exceptional handling thanks to the light weight and low
centre-of-gravity of its horizontally-opposed powerplant.
On sale from February 2008, the Subaru
Legacy Sports Tourer and Outback crossover mid-sized estates are priced
from just £19,995 on-the-road for the Legacy 2.0D R model. Saloon
versions may follow once supplies become more plentiful.
This is Subaru’s first diesel engine –
developed in-house using over 40 years’ expertise in ‘boxer’ engine
technology coupled with turbocharging know-how gleaned from the fierce
World Rally Championship arena.
The Japanese manufacturer’s Boxer
Diesel engine will initially only be fitted to European-market cars,
with the yet-to-be introduced new Forester receiving the engine in
September and new Impreza three months later.
Commenting on the models, Subaru’s
Managing Director, Lawrence Good, said: “The significance of this
outstanding new Boxer Diesel engine to both sales opportunities and our
dealer network cannot be underestimated.
“With a UK diesel market share now
running at 40 per cent this is the answer to many loyal and potential
customers’ future motoring needs.”
The launch of the Boxer Diesel Legacy
and Outback will be backed by a high-profile TV and print advertising
campaign with the strap-line: “It’s Here”.
Class-Leading Figures
The 150 PS Boxer Diesel Legacy and
Outback not only have the best fuel efficiency in the 4WD passenger car
class but beat all main 2.0 litre two-wheel drive rivals including the
new Ford Mondeo TD and VW Passat – both in lower-powered 140 PS formats.
The Legacy Sports Tourer 2.0D R, for
example, returns 49.6 mpg on the Combined Cycle with 151 g/km of CO2.
Its 2WD Ford Mondeo estate equivalent
returns 47.9 mpg with 156 g/km, while the VW Passat 2.0 TDI estate gives
47.1 mpg and 158 g/km.
Comparing the new Legacy Sports Tourer
with the 4WD version of the Passat – called the 2.0 TDI 4Motion – shows
the Subaru to be 8.7 mpg better on the Combined Cycle with emissions
down by 31 g/km compared to the VW.
Nor are these figures achieved at the
expense of performance. The Legacy Sports Tourer has a 126 mph top speed
and 0-60 mph time of 8.5 seconds while the Outback is only slightly
behind at 124 mph and 8.8 seconds for the 0-60 mph dash.
Refinement is also a Boxer Diesel
strongpoint, with official moving sound levels of 70.5 dB (A) compared
to the Mondeo’s 71.0 and Passat’s 73 dB (A). Even a Rolls-Royce Phantom
is higher at 72.0 dB (A).
Class-Challenging Performance
The new Boxer Diesel provides
class-challenging performance thanks to 150 PS at an ultra-low 3,600 rpm
and a massive 258 lb ft torque at an accessible 1,800 rpm.
With a ‘square’ bore and stroke of 86
mm and 16.3:1 compression ratio, the world’s first Boxer Diesel provides
effortless performance throughout a wide speed range, avoiding the
breathless response of some diesels at high revs.
Top speed for the Legacy 2.0D R Sports
Tourer is 126 mph with a 0-60 mph time of 8.5 seconds, while the Outback
R is only slightly behind at 124 mph and 8.8 seconds.
Fuel economy is outstanding at
39.8/56.5 and 49.6 mpg for the Legacy Sports Tourer R and 39.8/55.4 and
48.7 mpg for the Outback R. Their CO2 emission figures are no
less impressive at 151 and 153 g/km respectively. |
