|
|
|
January 2008 - Posts
-
Subaru has rolled out their long awaited new "in house" designed Boxer Diesel in their fine Legacy wagon for the European press. Several UK and Spanish auto sites have posted their reviews and lot's of good pictures of the Legacy diesel. This new AWD vehicle is posting 0-60 times of 8.5 seconds while achieving 41.6 mpg in combined driving. I am posting an article from a UK site that does reviews on new models, enjoy this tease. We expect to see the new Boxer Diesel in the Impreza and/or Forester first in the US. I thought it was interesting the reviewer was suprised at the different feel for this powerplant than previous diesels he has driven. The power band is much wider and smooth to high RPM's, very much like a conventional gasoline engine. This review also compares the diesel Legacy very favorably to the TDI Passat and Ford's award winning Mondeo Estate wagons. There is room in my garage for one these Indiana manufactured Legacy's with their new oil burner under the hood!
Subaru Legacy diesel (2008 onwards model)
January 18 2008
- What – Subaru Legacy Sports Tourer 2.0TD RE
- Where – Malaga, Spain
- Price – £21,995
- Available – March 2008
- Key rivals – Skoda Octavia Scout, VW Passat 4Motion
Summary
Long overdue, Subaru's first diesel engine arrives in the Legacy and Outback
- Likes: super smooth engine, linear power delivery, all-wheel drive security, boot space
- Dislikes: light steering, soft chassis, no six-speed manual or auto
First impressions
Click images to enlarge, more below
Away from the attention seeking Impreza the bigger Legacy is the true bedrock of the Subaru line up. Bigger and more mature, the Legacy, especially in estate form, is the default choice of country folk the length of the land. Roomy, reliable and with that signature four-wheel drive security the only thing that's been missing has been a decent diesel engine. Not any more. Critics will argue Subaru has been the last to join the diesel bandwagon but the firm instead claims a world first: an oil burning version of its signature 'boxer' flat-four engine, never before seen in a passenger car.
After dismal sales in 2007 Subaru is pinning high hopes on its new engine, too. Indeed, the firm's UK operation reckons it could have sold another 4,000 cars last year with a diesel in the line up. And when full production comes on stream next year it expects 85% of Legacy sales to be oil burners. The engine's flat-four configuration offers unique benefits too. It's much shorter than a conventional in-line engine and can be mounted lower in the chassis for better weight distribution. It's also much more balanced, the opposing motion of the pistons cancelling out vibration for improved smoothness and refinement. But has Subaru joined the party too late?
Performance
For a first attempt the new engine's figures are impressive. This comes despite Subaru eschewing technology like piezo injectors, as used in most modern diesel engines. The new engine delivers 148bhp and 258lb ft of torque, compared with 168bhp and 258lb ft from the most powerful variant of the VW group's all pervading 2-litre PD diesel - an impressive achievement for Subaru. Combined fuel consumption is 49.6mpg and the CO2 is 151g/km - again bang on the money. All this translates to a 0-62mph time of 8.5 seconds - a whole second faster than the 2-litre petrol Legacy estate, a car which chucks out 212g/km of CO2 and manages just 31.4mpg.
It feels great out on the road too. Subaru's claims of class leading refinement seem entirely valid, the boxer engine's inherent smoothness meaning there's none of the usual clatter or vibration. Sure, from the outside at tickover there is no hiding its diesel rattle. But with a few revs on the dial it evens out and spins up to the redline like a petrol engine, with little more than a slight whine from the turbo. There's no clumsy thump of torque either, the power delivery proving very progressive and linear. Diesel fans might feel a bit short changed in this respect but if you're used to petrol engines you'll be pleasantly surprised.
Ride and handling
The diesel Legacy features new electrically powered steering, the better for fuel economy. Unfortunately this comes at the expense of feel, and the wheel is disappointingly light to the touch with little in the way of communication. This is a shame, because the Legacy is naturally very nimble, turning in quickly and feeling very light on its feet. It's definitely tuned for comfort rather than speed though, the long travel suspension great for swallowing the bumps but resulting in dramatic roll in the bends. Once you get used to it it's fine though, and the great visibility and relative slimness means its great for threading down narrow country lanes - very much this car's natural habitat.
Interior
Subarus commonly get a bit of a hammering for their plasticky interiors but the Legacy is better than most. The centre console and some of the dials and switches still feel a bit flimsy and there's no escaping the fact that European rivals feel a lot more premium. But it's roomy and comfortable, with a great driving position and up to 1,649 litres of space with the seats down - that's 150 litres more than a C-Class estate and only 36 litres less than the cavernous Mondeo. Equipment is generous too, with all models getting dual-zone climate control, memory seats, rear ventilation controls, Xenon lights and cruise control - not bad for a starting price of £19,995.
Economy and safety
For all their appealing quirks Subarus have always been thirsty. The new diesel engine changes all that and in a stroke the Legacy is up there with class rivals, even with the added burden of its four-wheel drive chassis. Indeed, compared with cars like the Mondeo and Passat estate the Legacy is bang on the money, and even marginally better on fuel economy and carbon emissions. A standard fit particulate filter also helps the car's green credentials, not to mention the fact that the engine's layout means the catalytic converter gets up to working temperature around 20% faster than conventional in-line engines.
The MSN Cars verdict: 4/5
For a first attempt the new diesel engine is hugely impressive. The flat-four design offers unique benefits and the smoothness and keenness to rev are a revelation. The lack of a six-speed gearbox or auto option is an issue though and those expecting a torquey, muscular diesel power delivery will be disappointed. The power is there, you just have to drive it differently from most diesels. Don't expect this to put people off though. Subaru's established - and very loyal - fanbase will love it and with this engine the Legacy deserves to break out of its niche and earn Subaru the volume sales it so desperately craves.
Ratings out of five: Subaru Legacy diesel
|
Performance |
**** |
|
Ride & handling |
*** |
|
Interior |
*** |
|
Safety |
**** |
|
Price |
**** |
|
Practicality |
**** |
|
Fuel economy |
**** |
|
MSN Cars verdict |
**** |
Need to know
|
Petrol engines |
2.0 turbocharged flat-four |
|
Power (bhp) |
148 |
|
Torque (lb/ft) |
258 |
|
0-62 (secs) |
8.5 |
|
Top speed (mph) |
126 |
|
Combined mpg |
49.6 |
|
CO2/tax |
151/20 |
First Drive: Subaru Legacy diesel
|
-
Many diesel advocates are anxiously waiting to see just what new
clean diesels will be arriving in the U.S. over the next few years.
Hardly a week goes by now without some new announcement. For many of
us, the Honda Accord 2.2L i-DTEC
stands out in the hopes it will be an affordable and dependable diesel
for the masses. According to reports from overseas and press reports,
the Honda diesel is capable of over 60mpg).
In keeping with that theme, their upscale Acura line is being
redesigned and they have announced at the Detroit Auto show that they
will have the diesel too.
Several automotive blogs have mention that the TSX would be the Acura
vehicle of choice in receiving the Honda 2.2L i-DTEC diesel.
The TSX seemed like a likely candidate for diesel power
as it is basically the Euro-spec Honda Accord — a vehicle that will hit
European showrooms this summer with a diesel option. Honda’s new 2.2L
i-DETC four-cylinder will power both vehicles. Honda will also launch a
V6 clean diesel in 2010, which will likely see duty in the Acura TL and
MDX. The Honda Pilot could also use a version of the engine. “All
along, we’ve said there would be a diesel in Acura,” Dick Colliver,
executive vice president of American Honda Motor told Automotive News.
Here are a couple links: 1 | 2 | 3
|
-
 The
new Tiguan was previewed in China recently and offered up a few
comments that might interest future North American buyers. Although we
could be waiting a while, seeing (hearing) about the TDI powered
smaller SUV does look intriging.
... Volkswagen will propose three TSIs model
for gasoline engines: a direct injection engine with turbo-charging or
turbo-charging plus super-charging. The four cylinders deliver 110 kW /
150 PS, 125 kW / 170 PS and 147 kW / 200 PS, respectively. In addition, the two TDI engines available on
the Volkswagen Tiguan are the direct result of new technological
developments. There will be a 103 kW / 140 PS and a more powerful 125
kW / 170 PS TDIs, which both offer the quietest diesel engines of their
class. The direct-injection turbo-diesel engines are also eco-friendly
as they already fulfill the Euro-5 regulation that won't go into effect
before 2009. READ
|
|
|
|
Home |
Blogs |
Forums |
Promote Biodiesel |
Testimonials |
Links |
Downloads | Top of the page
Forum Navigator:
|
|
|
|
