If STI tuned a Legacy for the U.S., this is what you'd get. Photo by Dino Dalle Carbonare
Subaru and its tuning arm, Subaru Tecnica International, have long wanted to build more cars for North America. For evidence, look no further than the Subaru Forester STI concept unveiled at the Specialty Equipment Market Association show last November in Las Vegas (STI evolves, Nov. 13, 2006).
At the recent Detroit auto show, Subaru's product planning vice president Tomohiro Ishitobi reassured us that plans are in the works to widen STI's U.S. offerings beyond the Impreza line. Instead of waiting for Subaru to bring its product to us, we sought out a Japan-model Legacy tuned by STI to learn more about what we can expect when an STI-tuned Legacy arrives in America.
All 600 copies of the STI Legacy are sold out, even though the company had hoped to have them available until February in Japan. No wonder - the car is that good, especially the Touring Wagon model we tested. The Japanese-market vehicles get the powerful 2.0-liter horizontally opposed four from the Impreza STI, with 280 hp (260 for automatic models) and a punchy torque curve delivering 253 lb-ft at only 2400 rpm (2000 rpm for automatic models).
Photo by Dino Dalle Carbonare
The STI treatment begins with high-performance Bilstien shocks, which lower the car 15 milimeters; springs are 50 percent stiffer as well. The rear lateral links are swapped out for STI parts, allowing for a tighter feel and 30 percent less friction. Body rigidity increases up front with a STI strut brace giving a substantial improvement in steering feel and turn in.
Out on the raod, the Legacy STI feels precise and composed, never unsettled by even the worst road imperfections. Thanks to the improved handling, the car takes full advantage of the available grip provided by 18-inch Bridgestone Potenza RE050A tires. In typical Subaru fashion, you only have to worry about safe and predictable understeer.
The 260-hp engine in our automatic Touring Wagon felt just about right, so STI didn't need to go all out on the engine side of things, fitting only dual outlet mufflers to accentuate the boxer engine's burbly harmonics.
Photo by Dino Dalle Carbonare
The SI-Drive is either a love it or hate-it gadget: It does help fuel consumption when left in Intelligent Mode, but it gets on your nerves when you need to overtake and find power limited. The Sport Sharp mode is only a button flick away, but it can be a bit confusing. Braking received a lot of attention with large Brembo calipers front and rear, the same ones used on the Impreza STI. This results in very strong and progressive braking performance, although the brake system can be a little noisy at low speed due to high-friction brake pads.
Only a few choice parts have found their way onto the Legacy STI's exterior, like the front lip spoiler and STI 18-inch wheels. The interior is finished off in black trim and comfortable and supportive leather seats stiched with STI logos. Other touches include an STI speedometer, and our test car was fitted with the high-end McIntosh audio package and HDD navigation system. STI has once again proven a little fine-tuning can turn an already excellent car into a real performer.
By DINO DALLE CARBONARE
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