New Subaru Legacy Concept at the NAIAS 2009

Subaru Legacy Concept

The new Subaru Legacy has been previewed in concept form at the 2009 NAIAS, or the Detroit Auto Show as it is frequently referred to as. From what was previously a sleek luxury cruise with that ever subtle tinge of sportiness, the new Subaru Legacy has grown rather large and has a noticeably high roofline, which Subaru says is designed to improve headroom in the interior. The car even has a little Hoffmeister kink at the C-pillar, so the Accord isn’t the only one doing that now!

Subaru Legacy Concept

The new car is larger, with a 2,751mm wheelbase that is longer than its predecessor, and even slightly longer than the large Subaru Tribeca. Like all proper Subarus (as in those that are not Daihatsu supermini rebadges), the Subaru Legacy Concept has Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive thats hooked up to a 3.6 litre 6-cylinder boxer engine. Subaru did not quote any power figures for this concept’s engine but it’s probably safe to assume that it is similiar to the EZ36 boxer-6 in the Subaru Tribeca that can produce 256hp.

Subaru Legacy Concept

The concept car has a few characteristics that probably won’t make it into the production model, and some of these include the tiny aerodynamic wing mirrors that use cameras instead of a mirror, as well as the 4-seater seating position which is most likely to be traded with a more practical 5-seater that uses a bench at the rear. There is a very comprehensive in-car entertainment system there too, and while it’s not likely to become a standard feature (or even a feature at all), it shouldn’t be too hard for any experienced accessory shop to reproduce it.

Check out a whole hi-res gallery and a video after the jump.

[zenphotopress number=99 album=67]

Video: Subaru Legacy Concept

Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.

Certified Pre-Owned - 1 Year Warranty

10% discount when you renew your car insurance

Compare prices between different insurer providers and use the promo code 'PAULTAN10' when you make your payment to save the most on your car insurance renewal compared to other competing services.

Car Insurance

Paul Tan

After dabbling for years in the IT industry, Paul Tan initially began this site as a general blog covering various topics of personal interest. With an increasing number of readers paying rapt attention to the motoring stories, one thing led to another and the rest, as they say, is history.

 

Comments

  • Capt Shopalot (Member) on Jan 12, 2009 at 12:37 am

    The front looks so ordinary, quite Kia-ish
    The rear so so

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • KuSesat (Member) on Jan 12, 2009 at 1:01 am

    I can’t say a ‘nice’ word….the older models looks better.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • jamsbong (Member) on Jan 12, 2009 at 8:09 am

    Why the tall boot? A sedan is suppose to have a stream like body with a nice back.

    Also the front lights is not right. I definitely prefer the current model.

    It is weird but Subaru always comes out with ugly and strange looks. It is almost as if they want to win the ugliest car of the year award.

    Subaru! a tip for you. fire your current design team and get some real talents like the ones that make Peugeot designs, Mazda, or Ford designs.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • mdjqs (Member) on Jan 12, 2009 at 8:37 am

    like a KODOK aka frog!! i like the interior ^_^

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • mytouch (Member) on Jan 12, 2009 at 8:42 am

    I think this model deisgn is better than the Subaru WRX…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Francis KethoN (Member) on Jan 12, 2009 at 8:54 am

    ***Off Topic

    Ronaldo from Manchester United crash a Ferrari 599 GTB…What a waste..

    “But the AA said most insurers would be reluctant to cover any professional footballers – whatever car they drive – because they are seen as a high risk group.”

    Haha..Good one..

    Link:
    http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/jan/09/ronaldo-ferrari-crash-insurance

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/manchester/7817764.stm

    Thanks~

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Dj_VaniLLa (Member) on Jan 12, 2009 at 9:17 am

    I think in sketches..it’s a beauty..but,when it’s born..looks like somebody has thrown an acid to his face..sigh..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • WilliamSmith (Member) on Jan 12, 2009 at 10:38 am

    The high boot line definitely will restrict the rear view angle and it does have a little hint of the current 5seriesness as well as the latest Honda Inspire at its C pillar design. The front lighting does have a hint of the SLKness with its centre nose having the hint from Audi’s drag down nose design. No matter how I looked at it, I got the feel that this has some “influence” from Chrysler. I feel that as the Subaru flagship’s sedan, Subaru has YET to define its design theme and its objective which I see a clear difference shift from generation to generation and ended up strucked in the middle of NO WHERE island.

    I wonder why cant Subaru differentiate its models for the Impreza’s hatchback design to target buyer who seek compact, agility and practicality while the Legacy as the ultimate sedan that has style and driving pleasure with unique technical difference over the Impreza such as a genuine RWD with flat 6 boxer engine, twin scroll bi turbo turbine for each of its 3 cylinders while maintaining a 50:50 weight distribution. Just 2 variants is needed, one is the ultimate version with the boxer 6 bi turbocharged RWD, ideally capacity around 2.6L with at least 320hp and 400mn torque while the charisma version can be the 3.0L NA version with around 250hp and 300mn torque.

    NO doubt that Subaru are known for its excellent 4WD system but forcing it down to each of the performance models indirectly add cost as well as adding weight. Attempting to pull development cost in such a way actually do more harm by blurring the differentiation among the models range. The main problem I see now with Legacy is its inability to really differentiate from Impreza especially when the Impreza has higher output and lighter bodyweight. It makes the Legacy looks like targetting for those who has retired from Impreza but yet still want “some” impreza’s fun. It’s just not convincing enough.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Wisdom (Member) on Jan 12, 2009 at 10:50 am

    The rear roofline was not in syn with the front.

    The front grill doesn’t justify its position as a premium exec sedan. More like a racer boy finishing. Some chrome bits might do the trick.

    The rest is just nice.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • dzat46 (Member) on Jan 12, 2009 at 11:17 am

    Side profile remind me of the H.Accord….guess latest designed car are bit like that…That profile started by the 5 series…look great on the beemer/honda & now the subaru

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • albagmane (Member) on Jan 12, 2009 at 1:30 pm

    since when the japanese follow the design route of the koreans?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Sex is wonderful, but it's like champagne.If you're forced to have four glasses at every meal you start to fantasize about water. (Member) on Jan 12, 2009 at 1:43 pm

    first ugly concept….well could be beautiful in production

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • kingv6 (Member) on Jan 12, 2009 at 1:54 pm

    WOW !!

    Awesome design… though it looked very Audiisshh at 1st glance.
    But I must say, it’s very refreshing for a Subaru model.
    I do hope it will go into production as what we’ve seen now.

    Cheeers

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • zidane (Member) on Jan 12, 2009 at 2:00 pm

    back looks ok…

    but the front is really ugly…

    hopefully the previous models will go cheaper after this…

    :D

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • unitedtas (Member) on Jan 12, 2009 at 3:00 pm

    Uuuggh! What a hideous looking car!

    Subaru ran out of ideas for designs? Not so ‘baru’ afterall.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Sex is wonderful, but it's like champagne.If you're forced to have four glasses at every meal you start to fantasize about water. (Member) on Jan 12, 2009 at 3:57 pm

    but still subaru engines are a gem

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • lambov12 (Member) on Jan 12, 2009 at 4:13 pm

    i think the new subaru legacy concept is styled based on the Prodrive P2 ..

    it looks quite the same ..

    and the interior looks fantastic .. !

    hope the real 1 will be as good as the concept ..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • charles27 (Member) on Jan 12, 2009 at 4:51 pm

    overall is bad…
    subaru cant design laa.. almost forget laa. hehe

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • kei9 (Member) on Jan 12, 2009 at 10:09 pm

    What are Subaru designers thinking? It doesn’t look good at all.

    Really messy lines. period

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • csv (Member) on Jan 13, 2009 at 12:03 am

    man i prefer the previous one, sleek and nice.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Sex is wonderful, but it's like champagne.If you're forced to have four glasses at every meal you start to fantasize about water. (Member) on Jan 13, 2009 at 6:48 pm

    subaru should ckd thier impreza sti

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • JOE JACK on Jan 04, 2010 at 1:00 am

    what is that???

    the design is so lame & the proportions are all-off

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

Add a comment

required

required