The B4 Posted August 31, 2006 Share Posted August 31, 2006 http://research.cars.com/go/crp/research.jsp?ASSET_TYPE=Affiliate+Review%2CBuying+Guide%2CVehicle+Profile&revlogtype=17§ion=reviews&makeid=45&modelid=410&year=2007 By Frank Aukofer JSOnline July 17, 2006 For some time, Subaru has been on a track to re-invent itself as a purveyor of high-performance sports sedans, in addition to its garage full of sturdy all-wheel drive vehicles, most of which are suited to more mundane purposes. It started with the WRX and WRX STi rally-oriented machines, which were based on the compact Subaru Impreza. They made an indelible impression on the young tuner crowd, among others. In 2006, the mid-size Legacy got a boost into the sports-sedan category with the introduction of the limited-edition 2.5GT spec.B model. Though it kept the GT's power train, the spec.B added stiffer suspension system tuning and 18-inch wheels with fatter performance tires. Now, for 2007, Subaru-as TV chef Emeril Lagasse would say-kicks the spec.B up another notch with the addition of SI-Drive computerized engine control, a new rear differential and a six-speed manual gearbox in place of last year's five-speed. The SI-Drive, which is available on all turbo Legacy and Outback models, is the sort of gee-whiz, technological performance enhancement expected from German manufacturers like BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz. Nevertheless, it is not surprising coming from Japan's Subaru because Subaru has been working to mold itself somewhat in the image of BMW. The company actually carries on the legacy of two other German manufacturers: Porsche and Volkswagen. Every Subaru comes equipped with a horizontally-opposed engine, in which the cylinders lie flat, feet to feet on both sides of the crankshaft, instead of leaning on an angle or standing up as in conventional V-type or in-line engines. Horizontally-opposed engines-also called boxer or flat engines-were a fixture for four decades on the original Volkswagen Beetle, which was designed by the famed Dr. Ferdinand Porsche. VW no longer uses them, but they still power the Porsche 911, Boxster and Cayman. Unlike Porsche, which also uses standard-configuration engines in its Cayenne SUVs, Subaru uses boxer engines exclusively, with four or six cylinders, along with turbo-charging. And unlike other manufacturers, all of its cars come with all-wheel drive. At BMW, all-wheel drive is an extra-cost option. Whether the spec.B Legacy would satisfy a BMW aficionado is an open question, but there's no doubt that it is a high-performance sports sedan. The four-cylinder boxer engine displaces just 2.5 liters. But with the turbo boost, it puts out 243 horsepower with 241 pounds-feet of torque at 3,600 rpm. To help get that power to the pavement, the new spec.B comes with traction and stability control, as well as a new, quicker-acting rear differential. In addition, the driver can choose to vary the engine's performance characteristics with the SI-Drive. There are three settings: "intelligent," "sport" and "sport sharp," controlled by a knob on the console with a lighted readout nestled in the instruments. In the "intelligent" mode, engine power and torque are reduced for better fuel economy and more relaxed driving in traffic. In the "sport" mode, throttle responses are quicker, and in the "sport sharp" mode the power and torque come on right now. Truth be told, it takes a keen sense of the subtleties of engine and drive train performance to distinguish among the three modes. A professional race driver likely would appreciate the differences, but the average motorist would be hard-pressed to tell one from another with the manual transmission. The differences likely are more apparent with an automatic transmission because the SI-Drive modifies the shift points in the different settings. But the spec.B is available only with the six-speed manual gearbox. Clutch action is light and progressive, and the six-speed's shift linkage, though slightly clunky, is easy enough to manipulate either rapidly or leisurely, and you have to be a novice to miss a gear. With the stiffer spec.B suspension system, which includes gas-filled shock absorbers, the test car exhibited a bias toward taut handling and away from a supple ride. Yet the ride was acceptable on all but the harshest surfaces. The spec.B's front seats deserve special mention. They are supportive, with large side bolsters to keep the torso in place during hard cornering. There's a manual lumbar support, and the seat inserts are done up in alcantara, a pseudo-suede covering that grips clothing, also helping to keep the driver anchored. Although there are headrests for three in the back seat, only two should attempt to sit back there because the center position-as is fairly common on many cars these days-is severely shortchanged. Even the outboard positions are tight on headroom, though there's plenty of knee room. The trunk is of a decent size, and nicely finished. Priced at $34,620, the Legacy GT spec.B comes only one way: fully equipped, with antilock brakes and electronic brake force distribution; traction and stability control; side air bags and side-curtain air bags; a navigation system; dual-zone automatic climate control; remote locking; an audio system with six-disc in-dash CD changer and pre-wiring for satellite radio; memory settings for the eight-way power driver's seat; motorized sunroof; heated front seats, and a leather-wrapped three-spoke sport steering wheel. Model: 2007 Subaru Legacy GT spec.B four-door sedan. Engine: 2.5-liter horizontally-opposed four-cylinder, turbocharged, 243 horsepower. Transmission: Six-speed manual. Overall length: 15 feet 6 inches. EPA passenger and trunk volume: 91 and 11 cubic feet. Weight: 3,515 pounds. EPA city/highway fuel consumption: 19/26 miles per gallon. Premium fuel required. Base price, including destination charge: $34,620. Base dealer cost: $32,159. Price as tested: $34,620. [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kostamojen Posted August 31, 2006 Share Posted August 31, 2006 Good article. But I swear, every Subaru article has to start from the beginning and explain EVERYTHING about Subaru's before they can start the review of the car Its really annoying... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The B4 Posted August 31, 2006 Author Share Posted August 31, 2006 Good article. But I swear, every Subaru article has to start from the beginning and explain EVERYTHING about Subaru's before they can start the review of the car Its really annoying... For us it might be. Subaru is not a household brand like Honda or even Volvo. To a lot of people this article may be the first time they've read anything about Subaru in any depth. [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOY Posted August 31, 2006 Share Posted August 31, 2006 Suabru, aren't they Austrailian? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atouk Posted August 31, 2006 Share Posted August 31, 2006 Good article. Makes an interesting point about the SI drive, is it at all useful with a MT? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWP-LegacyGT Posted August 31, 2006 Share Posted August 31, 2006 Subaru had better not drop ball with the Auto 5/6 speed in the '08 Spec B or I'm going to kill them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kostamojen Posted August 31, 2006 Share Posted August 31, 2006 Good article. Makes an interesting point about the SI drive, is it at all useful with a MT? Yes, it does make a difference. I havent tried the auto yet, but it should be interesting to try... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The B4 Posted September 1, 2006 Author Share Posted September 1, 2006 Suabru, aren't they Austrailian? ha ha... i used to think the same thing! [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOY Posted September 1, 2006 Share Posted September 1, 2006 ha ha... i used to think the same thing! I get it all the time at the dealership... I had one customer who LOVED the Tribeca throw down my business card and stormed out of the dealership when he realized that Subaru was Japanese, not Austrailian. Bonehead. Oh, si-Drive makes a HUGE difference in the auto. S# is MUCH more than SPORT mode on the 05-06 trannies. One of the reviews I read a while ago said it best: i=Where'd my turbo go? s=how it was s#=how it always should've been Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spec B Posted September 1, 2006 Share Posted September 1, 2006 Did the 07 Spec B get all new seats or just the same seats as the 06's with a different finish (alcantara inserts)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOXRPWR Posted September 1, 2006 Share Posted September 1, 2006 interesting about the traction and stability control system. Subaru has long avoided going the "fancy electronic gadgetry" approach that nearly everybody else has. you would think that the Sport-Sharp mode would disengage some or all of this fancy dynamic control to allow the limits to be explored more. I wonder if it does that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOY Posted September 1, 2006 Share Posted September 1, 2006 Did the 07 Spec B get all new seats or just the same seats as the 06's with a different finish (alcantara inserts)? So far all the SIA built products have tweaked seats... maybe its placebo but they all feel much better (softer, more supple) than the 05/06's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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