There is little in the styling department to distinguish the 07 Subaru Legacy from the previous model year, but the changes beneath the skin, especially in the GT spec.B model, will make a big difference in how quickly you can hustle this sedan down the road.
The new spec.B is to the Legacy GT what the STI is to the standard Impreza WRX. Its powered by Subarus 2.5-liter intercooled and turbocharged four, which makes 243 bhp and 241 lb.-ft. of torque. The standard GT comes with a choice of 5 - speed automatic or manual transmission and 6-spoke 17-in. alloy wheels fitted with all-season Bridgestone Potenza 215/45ZR-17 tires. The spec.B is available exclusively with a 6-speed manual transmission, lifted from the WRX STI and only slightly modified.
The spec.B has the same understated exterior appearance as the standard GT, but can be identified by its 10-spoke 18-in. alloy wheels shod with summer Bridgestone Potenzas. Peer inside the cabin and youll notice other differences such as the aggressively bolstered sport seats trimmed in Alcantara and the brushed-aluminum accents on the center stack and pedals.
Other changes have to be experienced, such as the stiffer suspension that features Bilstein gas-charged shocks and the new Torsen limited-slip rear differential.
A new feature common to both GT and spec.B is Subarus SI-Drive, a system that remaps engine performance. Via a rotary switch, SI-Drive offers three settings: Intelligent (which actually dials back horsepower and torque to improve fuel economy by as much as 10 percent, according to Subaru); Sport, which returns the engine to peak output; and Sport Sharp, which opens the drive-by-wire throttle much quicker for more rapid engine response. In stop-and-go traffic, the Intelligent mode has a much more relaxed feel, making the accelerator pedal feel less like an on-off switch. Sport returns the car to what would be normal GT performance, and Sport Sharp feels like its adding some extra turbo boost, even though it isnt.
On GT models with an automatic transmission, SI-Drive also makes appropriate adjustments to the shift points of the gearbox to hold lower gears longer or to quickly summon a downshift. The changes are noticeable, but I found the rotary control a gimmick that emulates systems in much more expensive cars only in this case, it offers just three settings. A three-position switch would be just as effective and take up less space in the center console.
While the standard Legacy GT is pleasant to drive and offers snappy performance in the Sport Sharp mode, the 5-speed manual feels limiting. The spec.Bs 6-speed manual is well matched to the engine, allowing you to extract all the performance from this high-revving flat-4.
The stiffer suspension still has enough give to make cruising over rough roads more than tolerable, yet does a great job of keeping the body in check through quick-transition turns. The larger Bridgestone Potenzas offer plenty of grip and the all-wheel-drive system not only puts the power down, but also adds greatly to the neutral feel of the handling. And the bucket seats do more than their share of adding to thesporting feel of this machine the Alcantara keeps you from sliding around and those thick bolsters are far enough apart for most people to fit comfortably.
Even though it comes as a manual only, the spec.B is equipped as Subarus flagship with standard DVD-based navigation, two-position memory/eight-way power and heated seats, dual-zone climate control, leather-wrapped three-spoke Momo steering wheel with built-in audio controls and a power moonroof. The center console is also equipped with an auxiliary input jack that can handle a variety of MP3 and iPod players. Prices have yet to be announced, although the 07 Legacy GT and spec.B models are available just about as you read this.
source:http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=6&article_id=3833
<!--Global - 300x250 - Content Ad-->
