The current sixth-generation Subaru Legacy has been
around since 2014, and four years on it seems it’s time for a new one. That’s
because Paultan's spy photographers have already caught the next one, due to be
unveiled next year, out in the open.
With much of the previous disguise now stripped
away, we can clearly see that the new Legacy will look pretty much the same as
before, with the familiar front fascia featuring a six-point grille flanked by
angular headlights. The latter sport a protruding upper edge already seen on
the latest facelifted model, while the “tails” that wrap around the sides of
the car are reminiscent of the E60 BMW 5 Series.
Subaru has refused to jump onto the four-door
“coupé” bandwagon, so the new Legacy retains a roofline that’s largely the same
shape as before, albeit with a sleeker C-pillar. The bodyside surfacing has
also been simplified, with the exception of the new, muscular rear haunches to
match the front. At the rear, the design of the L-shaped tail lights have also
been rejigged with wraparound “tails”.
Don’t let the same old, same old design fool you –
this Legacy is all new and rides on the Subaru Global Platform shared with the
new Impreza, XV and Forester. It will have new engines too, with direct
injection, cylinder deactivation and lean burning technology.
That means that the lineup in the US will see a
shakeup – while a 2.5 litre naturally-aspirated flat-four will remain the
standard engine offering, a smaller but more powerful 2.0 litre turbocharged
unit will replace the big 3.6 litre NA boxer six, as has already been done in
Japan. The Lineartronic CVT will almost certainly return, as will standard
symmetrical all-wheel drive.
