In usual Subaru style, the new 2015 Legacy that debuted last week at the Chicago show doesn't bring revolutionary changes to the nameplate. Most notably, the wheelbase and engines remain unchanged—or essentially so—versus those of the outgoing car, although both the flat-four and optional flat-six now mate to CVT transmissions to deliver decent gains in efficiency. We have learned, however, that some stuff is a-brewin'.
Our well-placed sourced indicate that the 3.6-liter flat-six will be subbed out for a smaller, more powerful six at the car's mid-cycle refresh in roughly three years. The current 256-hp engine, bored to 3.6 liters for the outgoing Legacy's 2010 redesign—it was the engine we had in our long-term sedan—has muscled up by just 11 hp over the 3.0-liter mill from two generations ago. While we understand the engine will again have three holes per cylinder bank, it's not yet clear if Subaru will take the opportunity to add direct injection or turbos. Whatever happens, expect the new flat-six to also migrate to the next Outback (which will debut in a couple of months) around the same time frame. It's also possible that it may make its debut in a new three-row crossover Subaru plans to launch within the next two years. We heard nothing regarding updates to the base four-cylinder model, although we expect direct injection to make an appearance.
- Official Photos, Info: New 2015 Subaru Legacy Gets More Tech, Higher MPG
- Photos, Info: 2015 Subaru WRX STI
- First Drive: 2015 Subaru WRX Has Entered Another (Rally) Stage
More imminent, in about a year, is a Legacy 2.5i Sport that should receive a fuller makeover than today's Sport, which is primarily differentiated by fog lamps and larger wheels. The last turbocharged Legacy was the half-shaft-hating, 265-hp, manual-only 2.5GT, which was discontinued after the 2012 model year, but we understand that Subie is considering dropping in the direct-injected and turbo'd FA 2.0-liter flat-four. This would be the same engine as seen in the Forester Turbo and latest WRX. We're not counting on a stick to reappear, though, but there's enough time to start a petition. Who knows—it might even work.
from Car and Driver Blog http://ift.tt/nSHy27
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