To many auto enthusiasts, Subaru represents a unique brand in the market place. It is the only automaker that makes all wheel drive and boxer engines standard on all of its models. In this issue, we will test drive the Subaru for the grown ups, the mid-size Legacy Wagon.
Subaru completely revamped the Legacy line this year with a new body style, new structure, new suspension tuning, and a new engine. All new body utilized large amount of aluminum and steel alloys to provide better stiffness, also increased the handling limit of the car. The aggressively styled hood scoop and air dam combined with beautiful flowing lines to please both Subaru loyalist and family oriented buyers.
Interior is nicely designed as well. The extra large sunroof provided extra airiness for the rear seat passengers. The large area behind the rear seats provided plenty of space for cargos. Gated automatic shifter is clear and easy to use. Subaru also added dual zone climate control, multi-way power seats with heated function among Legacy’s equipment list.
Power comes from a derived version of the STi’s 2.5L turbo engine, the maximum output is 250 HP @ 6,000rpm and 250 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm. This engine is so powerful that one can enjoy the rocket launch feeling any time by stepping on the gas. This Legacy wagon will win many street corner drag races for its owner. Cornering is flat and stable with the help of full time all wheel drive and new suspension set up.
This Legacy wagon drives like a sports car, the added utility from the wagon body is a nice bonus on top of that. Subaru has created another excellent and unique offering for car buyers looking for both space and athleticism. Who says you can’t have your ice cream and eat it too?
對很多車迷來說，SUBARU算是比較另類的品牌，唯一的全時四輪驅動、唯一的水平對臥引擎和渦輪增壓，這樣獨特的產品定位，成就了不少擁護者也相對地偏離了主流，老實說就是有那麼點距離感。而旗下的產品，就屬膾炙人口的WRC戰駒Impreza最為出名，其次就是等級略高的Legacy，這輛也曾參戰WRC的房車歷史悠久，在原廠重新規劃下賦予新面貌，跨入北美本土後以2.5升水平對臥四缸渦輪版本奠定基礎，而本刊試駕的，正是「2.5 GT Limited Wagon」。
沿用原名但裡外均全面翻新，Legacy大量運用輕量化鋁合金和高鋼性材料，目的是使其車架更為堅固，且在操控上也得以獲得提升。這代車型的軸距和輪距均向外擴張，造就更為寬敞的乘坐環境。另外，引擎重心再降低，水平對臥引擎特有的優勢發揮，有鑑於大部分駕馭SUBARU的車主，側重於操控表現，也因此研發過程裡，性能表現一直放在核心藍圖，各項改變包括前、後懸吊幾何，都是著眼於車輛動態展現而來。當然，身為家族中型房車主力的Legacy，對新車的內裝質感提升努力，亦是不遺餘力。
在車型界定部分，Legacy Limited Wagon比照房車有2.5i和2.5 GT渦輪版兩種。差異的部分包括引擎和內裝配備，但是全時四輪驅動均是標準配備，筆者拿到的渦輪版本屬於頂級款，從外觀上看就比2.5i多了點霸氣，尤其引擎蓋上的進氣口，乖張造型讓人不敢小覷其性能實力。
誠如之前所述，SUBARU毫不保留地展現其性能強勢，儘管是輛旅行車也讓人折服，外觀上多了個尾廂卻依舊掩飾不住霸氣，唯一令人略有微詞的，還是尾部線條收得不夠漂亮，比較起當初筆者邂逅Impreza的驚豔，Legacy的車尾線條略嫌保守許多，難免有虎頭蛇尾的遺憾。老實說，SUBARU車系＝運動的思考模式根深蒂固，總認為多了金屬飾條、皮椅或木紋飾板就是不協調，Legacy換上溫文有禮的旅行式樣，透過鏡頭觀察還是難掩渾厚氣息，與其描述Legacy的斯文，筆者寧可將其歸納成不流於俗的極限房車。
雖說如此，筆者還是感受到原廠經營舒適座艙格局的用心，延伸至後排的大型化天窗，是筆者印象最深刻的部分，充分的採光加上多一截尾廂的拓展空間，卸除乘坐的壓迫感，尤其這類Wagon對後排乘客取放物品更加便利，其造就的優勢值得肯定。針對市場策略，Legacy車內選用的還是銀、黑雙色調的佈局，可惜塑膠味仍偏重，視覺和觸感上有相對性落差，但若與過去的SUBARU車系比較，這輛Wagon已經明顯改善，鋸齒狀排列自排變速箱附手排模式，操作起來亦頗為就手，除此之外車內還加裝高級車的雙區域空調、多向電動椅附加溫功能。
動力操控方面，第四代Legacy換上單體式車架、鋁合金引擎蓋，不但降低車重也造就更堅韌、紮實路感。雖依舊沿用前Mcpherson、後Multi-Link懸吊機構，但經過重新調整設定，可鎖定的黏性藕合中差速器分配50/50扭力輸出，這些都是新一代的機械改變。另外，2.5水平對臥四缸渦輪增壓可輸出250hp/6000rpm、扭力達250lb-ft/3600rpm，使3500磅的車重不影響到其靈活性。
轉出路口後大腳油門，轉速攀升伴隨而來的是貼背加速力道，此時右腳只需一點攀升至3000rpm左右，2.5升引擎便在渦輪谷催下咆哮，儘管是旅行車的規矩造型，凌厲的加速倒是讓前車紛紛左右迴避，路口綠燈一閃只見掛載「藍色六芒星」的旅行車絕塵而去，老實說還真有那麼點「扮豬吃老虎」的快感。
或許有人認為有渦輪不稀奇，但筆者在這邊得強調的是，Legacy旅行車款非但加速不見遲緩，即使在車道切換與路線掌握上亦是犀利非常，不以改裝車觀點評判，但就原廠設定上2.5升渦輪增壓引擎本就有300hp實力，STi版本更有驚人的300lb-ft扭力，輕增壓對應充裕的排氣量Legacy不負富士重工威名，儘管想要多品嚐點休閒味，不過充滿動感的行車表現，實在很難讓筆者靜下心來省思它的寬敞、舒適度。
Legacy儘管擺脫Impreza產品訴求，闡述更實用、舒適、休閒化，但性能因子依舊濃郁，2.5 GT版本令人難以忘懷其隨傳隨到的輕快，無怪乎SUBARU車系總是給人那種肆意奔馳的印象。惜油耗表現差強人意、內裝質感還可再加強、車尾線條能夠修飾得更俐落，基本上2.5 GT Limited Wagon是款很讓人心動的車種，與眾不同、不流於俗！是我對它的評價。
SPECIFICATIONS
2005 Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT Limited Wagon
Base Price- $29,795
Engine Type-dual overhead cam 16-valve turbocharged
and intercooled horizontally-opposed 4-cylinder with variable valve
timing
Engine Size- 2.5 liters / 150 cu. in.
Horsepower- 250 @ 6,000 rpm
Torque (lb-ft)- 250 @ 3,600 rpm
Transmission- five-speed auto
Wheelbase / Length- 105.1 in. / 188.7 in.
Curb Weight - 3,435 lbs.
Pounds Per Horsepower - 13.7
Fuel Capacity - 16.9 gal.
Fuel Requirement- 91 octane unleaded premium gasoline
Tires - P215/45 ZR17 Bridgestone Potenza RE92
Brakes, front/rear- vented disc / vented disc,
antilock standard
Suspension, front/rear - independent MacPherson strut /
independent multilink
Drivetrain- front engine, all-wheel drive
EPA Fuel Economy - miles per gallon
city / highway / observed - 19 / 25 / 20
0 to 60 mph - est. 6.0 sec
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