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2020 Subaru Legacy revealed with sublime interior, new platform

The completely redesigned 2020 Subaru Legacy just took the stage at the Chicago Auto Show, and it looks like a ... Subaru Legacy! We tease, because while Subaru has ever so subtly changed the metalwork everywhere you look, it's not obvious at first glance. Creases turn in slightly different directions, the fenders pop out just a bit more, and the wheels are different. To really see the difference, you should look at the cabin, underpinnings and mechanicals, where Subaru gave the seventh-generation Legacy a thorough overhaul. Subaru hasn't changed the Legacy's identity, but we're glad to report that this "all-new" Legacy represents a significant step forward for the model. The midsize sedan hops onto the Subaru Global Platform introduced a couple years ago with the Impreza. This structure is much more rigid than the 2019 model year car's platform, and also increases the use of ultra-high-tensile steel and structural adhesives. All this basically means that the new Legacy is stiffer, lighter and safer than the outgoing model — all good qualities to inherit. Both engine options are reasonably attractive for 2020. Subaru is ditching the 3.6-liter flat-six as the premium option and moving to its new 2.4-liter turbocharged boxer-four introduced in the Ascent SUV. It makes the same 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque here, good for 0-60 mph times of 6.1 seconds. Most buyers will end up with the standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder boxer, outputting 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque (0-60 mph in 8.4 seconds). This engine is also relatively new, as we got our first shot at it behind the wheel of the 2019 Forester. Both engines are predictably paired with Subaru's CVT. Your best fuel economy is achieved with the naturally aspirated four, rated at 27/35 mpg city/highway. You'll take a small hit with the turbo at 24/32 mpg city/highway. As the Legacy is still a Subaru, every version is equipped with all-wheel drive. A revised suspension design features a MacPherson strut setup in front and double-wishbone layout in rear. Subaru claims much higher dynamic performance and ride comfort with this suspension in combination with the new structure. We'll be the judge of that once we get behind the wheel, eventually. The interior is, in a word, impressive. We saw some hints of what Subaru is capable of with the Ascent's interior materials and design, but the highest-trim Legacy takes it to another level.

WRX Concept styling may transfer to production Impreza, next WRX

Remember the original concept that previewed the latest generation Subaru WRX? If not, then just look above for a gallery of photos following its debut at the 2013 New York Auto Show. We loved it, and thus, were sort of disappointed when we first saw the less-aggressive production model.
It's not that the production 2015 WRX is ugly, per se. It just doesn't have the gaping grille, four-door coupe lines or squinting headlights that give the concept so much verve. But as it turns out, Subaru might have realized that it was on the right track with the more assertive styling. Rumors coming out of Australia suggest that the shape could form the basis for the next-generation Impreza, and next WRX, along with a major platform shift.
Subaru chief designer Mamoru Ishii tells Motoring that that the next-generation car will ditch the rather utilitarian current design in favor of something more exciting. Like the WRX concept, the design will start wide at the bottom for an aggressive stance and taper up to the roof. That styling would likely get even more aggressive for the next 'Rex.

Subaru WRX STI Type RA-R has more power, less weight

Subaru is releasing yet another special high performance WRX STI that's only for its home, Japan. This time it's a variant of the WRX STI Type RA called the Type RA-R. Though it looks very similar to the version we get in the U.S., it has some key differences. Instead of the 310-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder in ours, the RA-R has a 324-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder. It also produces 318 pound-feet of torque, a fair bit more than the 290 of ours. The Type RA-R also boasts additional weight savings. The company says it's about 66 pounds lighter than the WRX STI S208, another special STI similar to our Type RA. That model was already lightened thanks to a carbon fiber roof among other additions. Interestingly, the Type RA-R doesn't appear to have the Bilstein suspension of the S208 or the U.S. Type RA. It does still have Brembo brakes front and rear, though, with six-piston calipers up front and two-piston calipers in the back. Visually the Type RA-R looks fairly similar to its other special edition siblings. It has the extra "Cherry Blossom" red accents in the grille and the rear diffuser. It does have the option to go without the giant rear wing, though, for people who want the performance without shouting about it. The wheels are also downsized from 19 inches on the S208 and U.S.-spec Type RA to 18 inches. Unsurprisingly, this is a very limited edition vehicle. Only 500 will be sold, just like the U.S. Type RA. That is 50 more than the S208, though. The price before taxes is, at current exchange rates, about $41,500. Interestingly, that's a lower price than the American model. Of course it doesn't really matter because, as we already said, this car is for Japan only. Related Video: