Subaru Legacy test drive 2006 - 2007 sedan
Extraordinary according to the rules
Subaru is one of the few automobile companies that manage to create non -trivial models. In this case, this kind of status is determined primarily by the technical filling of the opposition motor plus symmetrical all -wheel drive. A similar combination today can be offered by only one Porsche manufacturer. At one time, I was struck by Forester with a 2.5-liter turbo engine, which shot up to hundreds in 6.3 seconds, the result phenomenal for the crossover. Later there was Impreza STI, there are comments too. Now the queue of Legacy has come. In truth, before the test I assumed that it would be the name of the driver's heart
The reason for meeting with one of the flagships of Subaru (in my opinion, the company has at least three flagships) his planned restyling. The machine has acquired new, not too noticeable external elements of the finish and therefore is wished. In general, the design of Legacy can be safely called unsteady. Trekhobroby sedan of classic proportions. There are no screaming solutions in appearance, and updated lighting technology is simple and at the same time elegant. The appearance of the machine proves that radical design moves are not required for universal approval and recognition. It’s enough to be just beautiful. You can distinguish the updated version of Legacy, in addition to the headlights, foglights that appeared in the rear bumper. By the way, the change in the anterior optics was dictated by considerations not only aesthetics, but also of functionality. The company argues that thanks to the new form of bi-ksenon headlights, a light bundle has acquired a special brightness.
There are more changes inside. Designers have abandoned the Subaru of the last years of the silver central console. It is now black, and about the affairs of past days they resemble ribs trimmed for metal. On the tunnel between the chairs next to the silver ring covered by the automatic transmission selector is a pretty puck control of the SI-Drive system. Behind her, two cup holders who are spectacularly illuminated in the dark. The assembly quality is at height, the finishing materials are solid. It is only a pity that there is no color monitor in the center of the front panel, instead of it a niche for trifles with a lid. Behind the three -spoke steering wheel, the controls of the control of the automatic gearbox lurked. They are fixed motionless on the hub, however, staticity is compensated by the size of the upper point to the lower almost 10 cm. The steering wheel itself is multifunctional, with its help you can be controlled with a cruise control, a musical system and a menu of an on-board computer. The chairs are slightly profiled, the body is fixed quite well.
The second row is spacious. At least, after myself (187 cm of growth), I managed to get a job without problems. And the ceiling does not press. Plus, to that, the 3-liter version is equipped in the base of the air conditioning system for the rear passengers. It should be noted that the car appeared in the car for six discs with a nest for connecting external audio sources. The sound system gives out very good. The six -cylinder engine easily rustles under the hood at idle, but it is worth giving the gas, as it will immediately remind himself of a noble opposite sound. I will not describe it, the one who knows how boxers sing will understand. The power unit gives out almost 250 forces. The character of the combat motor, it confidently, according to the three -liter rank, is drawn from the bottom, and then cheerfully spins to the limiter at 7000 revolutions, and the further the tachometer shooter runs, the more obvious it beasts. The car rushes forward, like scalded.
However, a five -stage automatic machine makes its adjustments to the speed set process. He is playful, moderately intellectual. That is, the driver does not interfere at all, but rather helps. But, unfortunately, he has one congenital drawback of long gear rates. This is especially good with active driving, when it is always necessary to be in the combat revolution zone. And also, when you need to switch to the transfer below for the maneuver. At the highest stage of traction is not enough, and when moving down the engine, the engine lures at increased speeds. And in general, the opposite loves high turns and enters into a certain conflict with automatic transmission, since the latter prevents fully revealing its potential. 
However, we will not be so strict for this nuance, because if you love Subaru primarily for running qualities, then probably look towards the Legacy Spec B version, which implements the opportunities laid down in a car in a sports interpretation. Spec B is a 6-speed mechanics and a configured suspension with hard shock absorbers of Bilstein. They will definitely become your faithful allies. And the appearance is slightly more aggressive, the discs are larger than 18 inches. With mechanics, the machine takes off in acceleration to 100 km/h 1.3 seconds, leaving seven seconds it turns out 6.9. By the way, the difference in price between a simple version and Spec B is not too significant against the background of the cost of the machine. 
The standard model has 17-inch discs in the arsenal, its suspension is quite comfortable. However, this does not detriment with controllability, because Legacy from that breed of cars that, even being comfortable, are able to please an active driver if they spur them. And comfort in the winter state of our roads and the number of surprises that regularly appear, what the doctor prescribed. I missed a painful failure in the asphalt sighed and drove on. And with 18-inch discs you will also have to cross. If you're lucky. The steering is quite acute. It is to the extent that the acuteness is not tired. The feedback on the steering wheel is correct, when moving in a straight line zero is clear, and only on the rut the car is slightly lost from the right course. But this does not nervous.
No matter how beautifully the opponent sang, but since he was in a business class car, he is not supposed to put the Sedokov with decibels. Here good sound insulation comes to the rescue. I really wanted to evaluate all the charms of a symmetrical all -wheel drive on a slippery coating. However, the weather did not provide such a chance autumn dragged on and strives to go smoothly into spring. This is pleasing to many, but not lovers of winter rally driving well, in fact, do not slide into asphalt spikes! Somehow not in love.
It is known that the Subaru six-cylinder engine is only 2 cm longer than the four-cylinder, and the mass of the engines is comparable, since the 2.5-liter unit is equipped with a solid mounting equipment. From which we can conclude that the Legacy engine is more interesting than even Impreza STI, because it is atmospheric, which means that the driver has more traction control opportunities. Now these opportunities have become even richer, because the motor has acquired the innovative SI-Drive system!
This decision was suggested in a mass automotive industry, and Subaru became the first company to bring him there. By the way, recently came news from the BMW campaign, Bavarians presented a similar engine management system. In practice, it all depends on the goals of the trip, your mood and driving style. The first regime is suitable for balanced drivers, or for hidden on fuel economy, or for those who need to transport people with a weak vestibular apparatus. The gas pedal is strongly downs, and the automatic transmission control program includes increased gear at the first opportunity. Legacy is rolling smoothly, I don’t want to nimble.
More or less universal, suitable for most situations, the Sport mode. Well, if you are extremely decisively configured, click on the key located on the steering wheel, and find yourself in the exciting Sport Sharp! Provocative option! It is interesting to turn it on, rolling along the highway on Intelligent, slightly pressing the accelerator pedal. The machine immediately receives a tangled rush of power and gains a move much more frisky. The leg seems to be directly associated with the throttle, and the machine gun is losing thoughtfulness. The car comes to life, I would like to rush to the stupid, attacking the turns. So three engines in one are obvious.
The last positive feature of Legacy is an adequate price. Of course, having bought this car, you will not get the pathos of its expensive German competitors, but you will receive proprietary technical sophistication in perfect performance, the same non-triviality that is not so easy to find in the car market. Legacy is sold with a 2.0 liter engine (165 hp) and a 3.0 liter engine. (245 hp). Body type sedan or station wagon. The standard package of a 3-liter sedan (from $ 47 630) includes: a CZ with an immobilizer, a full electric package, two-zone climate control, cruise control, 4 PB, ABS, EBD, VDC (stabilization of the course stability), xenon, headlight washer, headlights, The clearance stabilization system, engine control system (SI-Drive), electric drive and heating of the driver's and passenger seats (driver with memory), fog lights, stereo system with a CD changer, R17 discs. For an electric hatch and leather finish you will have to pay $ 2850.
Legacy is sold with motor 2 l (165 hp) and 3 l (245 hp); Body sedan or station wagon. The standard completion of a 3-liter sedan (from $ 47,630) includes: the Central Complex with an immobilizer, a full electric package, two-zone climate control, cruise control, 4 PB, ABS, EBD, VDC (stabilization of the course stability), xenon headlights, headlight washer washer , a clearance stabilization system, engine control system (SI-Drive), electric drive and heating of the driver's and passenger seats (driver with memory), fog lights, stereo system with a CD changer, R17 discs. For an electric hatch and leather finish you will have to pay $ 2850. There is also a modification of Spec B, with a hard sports suspension and R18 discs. Sedans of this modification cost from $ 51,960. The cost of a simple two -liter sedan, depending on the configuration, is from $ 34,400 to $ 40,800.
By the mind Subaru Intelligent Drive (Si-Drive) changes the sensitivity of the electronic gas pedal, the angles of the ignition ahead and the amount of fuel supplied, depending on the degree of opening of the throttle, thereby moving the characteristics of the engine to the desired more dedication, or economy.
In Intelligent mode, the gas pedal sensitivity drops, the maximum power is reduced for the sake of lower fuel consumption (the company claims that the consumption can be reduced by 10%). By choosing Sport, the driver reduces the response time to press the gas pedal, increases the engine's return and thus gets more intense acceleration. Sport Sharp (acute sports) implies the fastest response to gas pressing and, with equal power with a sports regime, its faster speed increase. There is a separate button on the steering wheel for an operational transition to this mode, if necessary, for example, when overtaking on the highway. By pressing the button, the driver returns the system to the previous state.
On models aggregated with a five-speed automatic transmission, Si-Drive also regulates its settings. In Sport Sharp, the system holds the transmission longer, allowing the engine to develop higher speeds, and more willingly switching down for more intense acceleration. Also, cars with this system on the instrument panel have an additional display showing the selected mode. If a mechanic is installed on the car, then in smart mode the display signals the optimal moment to switch transmission for maximum fuel savings.
Leonty Tyutelev
A source: Motor magazine [January-February 2007]
