Car Advice

NAIAS – 2009 Subaru Legacy (Liberty) Concept

By Matt Brogan |

Subaru today revealed the 2009 Subaru Legacy (Liberty) Concept at the 2009 North American International Auto Show.

naias_subaru_legacy_001.jpg

The new Legacy Concept is a hint at the future of design for Subaru and is said to showcase the sport sedan heritage of the Subaru Legacy, but in a more modern and purposeful package.

Marking the 20th anniversary of the Subaru Legacy, the Legacy Concept – as with all Subaru models – features Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive mated to a Horizontally-Opposed Boxer engine.

The theme of concept design is “Presence”, represented by the aggressive front facia and solid yet expressive body. Four powerful and defined wheel arches emphasise the dynamism of Symmetrical AWD while sharp design lines carve out a substantial mass as they flow from the bonnet, across the roof to the boot, while the sharp body lines project a sense of strength.

Wedge-shaped Side Rear Vision Cameras are featured and provide a sense of flow from the momentum of the A-pillar lines. A character line runs from just before the
A-pillar and sweeps up to the tail just above the taillamps.

This grille design incorporates a central wing motif that defines the Legacy’s Subaru brand identity. The Subaru logo separates a deep central grille shape that is accented by sharp headlamps with a dual vertical-row layout of multiple LED lamps. In addition, the slim, vertical fog lamps set in a large front valance with angular air intakes add a jewel-like touch to the front design.

The car is finished in a special high-lustre “Ultimate Silver” paint to accentuate the design’s angular shapes.

The interior design features a striking four-seat layout that showcases the “High Definition” design theme. Comfort and style are achieved with a mix of touch-screens, cameras and modern surface coverings.

The high-tech look blends with comfort through four separate seating areas, a high roofline and generous legroom for all passengers. The center console features a large
touch-panel display that concentrates various functions for simplified use, while the flowing shape extends vertically to emphasise the feeling of strength and solidity in union with the exterior.

A steering wheel and shift lever have been adapted to accentuate the sporty nature elemental in the Legacy’s DNA.

In-car entertainment is featured through monitors with multiple functions that are located in the center console, as well as in the rear of the front seat headrests to provide comfortable functionality as well a calm design that creates a relaxed ambiance for passengers. The monitor for the Side Rear Vision Camera has been situated toward the front of the roof to maximise rear visibility.

The design is capped off with seats covered in pearl white leather that give off a blue sheen, while black metallic leather has been used for the door trim to create contrast with the instrument panel.

Since introduction in 1989, the Legacy’s (Liberty in some markets) total global production has exceeded 3.6 million vehicles making it Subaru’s core model.

More pics to follow.


 
  • Tim

    Why so late with this news CA? This has been posted weeks ago on other sites.

    Saying that, the car looks really good (of what we have seen of it so far) and its nice to see a much more agressive styling direction from Subaru. Maybe, just maybe – they finally have something to show in the styling department!

  • James

    No Tim,

    Its a concept… not production… so once the engineers get their hands to it it’ll be much more concervative… unless Subaru plans on selling it 20-30K (USD/AUD) above its current price range…

    Styling pretty much are pushed to think outside the box when it comes to styling… but then engineers are then told to “build the car within this price range” and thats when exciting becomes conservative.

    Not just Subaru ,but ALL manufacturers…

  • WVB

    I can remember the feeling of joy when I first laid eyes on the current liberty back in 03. I was in japan at the time and the car was black.
    I saw more pictures this morning of the new legacy concept and that same feeling is not there. Maybe now just a slight feeling of dread.
    It seems to borrow a bit from mazda6 around the arches, a bit of accord euro and I can even see some old bangle bmw hues in the trunk lid.
    The front end is arrestingly subaru though as their current mandate continues to rely on shock tactics.
    Either way I’ll let it evolve.

  • Spitfire

    Trunk lid. You do mean boot lid do you not WVB. The last time I checked we had not become the 51st state.

  • Alex

    I have seen other pictures on the internet, I personally think it’s following current Subaru fashion trends by being ugly, especially at the back. Maybe theres a reason why the first pictures Subaru put out was in the dark. At least the interior looks good and high quality, for once.

  • AAA

    Old pic.

  • Cupid Stunt

    You’re not far away from the 51st state Spitfire… toodle pip old chum!!

    As for the Scoobie – Nice, and a worthy replacement for recent dull looking efforts.

  • WVB

    sorry spitfire, boot lid yes I’m a born & bred aussie but in global industry terms it’s a trunk lid.

    not sure that we havent become the 51st state though when all we seem to do is to fall in line these days.

  • Spitfire

    Thanks for the concilatory response WVB. I am not anti American, in fact I quite like them. What I was doing was defending the Aussie lingo. Unfortunately Australia’s motoring journalists seem to using more Americanisms in their reporting, including Car Advice.

    I will defend the Aussie lingo until I draw my last breath. No comments from you bloggers that it can be arranged.

    Stone the crows.