Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Subaru releases 2013 Legacy, Outback details ahead of New York debuts

Subaru has a lot riding on the 2012 New York Auto Show. In addition to the XV Crosstrek, the Japanese automaker will show off its new 2013 Legacy and Outback models, and these aren't exactly minor updates.

Under the hood of 2.5i models will be a brand-new 2.5-liter DOHC boxer four that puts out 173 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque – improvements of three and four, respectively. Furthermore, the 2013 Legacy's new engine and the latest version of Subaru's CVT automatic gearbox achieve estimated fuel economy ratings of 24 miles per gallon city, 32 highway and 27 combined. That's one mile per gallon better across the board, and a six-speed manual will also be available.


The Outback, which boasts 8.7 inches of ground clearance, will manage an estimated 24/30/26 mpg with the same drivetrain. Both models will be available with an optional 3.6-liter flat-six engine mated to a five-speed automatic that offers up 256 horsepower. All-wheel drive is, of course, standard.

Subaru's new EyeSight driver-assist system, which integrates Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-Collision Braking and Vehicle Lane Departure Warning, will debut on the 2013 Legacy and Outback, and you can read plenty more about this technology here. Bluetooth connectivity is also new, along with iPod controls and a USB port. A seven-inch navigation screen will be optional on top-end models.

Styling is tweaked a bit, with a new front fascia standing out as the most obvious change, and Subaru claims that the ride and handling have been improved thanks to a stiffer structure and revised suspension geometry.

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/29/s...of-new-york-d/

mmarshall

IMO, the changes they needed to make the most on the 2013 Legacy/Outback were; First, to dump the worthless vaccum-gauge and put back the engine-temperature gauge (Asian-market models currently DO get the temp-gauge there); Second, to dump the CVT on the 4-cylinder and put in a conventional 5 or 6-speed automatic instead of the old 4-speed (only the 3.6L H-6 gets the 6-speed auto); and, Third, to put the real spare tire and body-side-mouldings back in standard like they were years ago. I don't see much, if any evdence, that they have done any of that for 2013.

(The Turbo Legacy GT also needs an automatic option. Currently it only comes with a 6MT, but we'll have to wait and see what Subaru does there...the article doesn't say.)

The wide black-cladding on the Outback's lower-body seems to have been narrowed down some. A shame.....I liked that wide color-contrast, for a two-tone effect.

blacksc400

iTrader: (4)

The front looks cooler.

1JZsoarer

Why do you feel like they need to dump the CVT in the 4 cylinder? All of my customers loved their CVT, both on their legacies and outback, and even I, while I had my Legacy for 6 months, loved it, from the awsome mileage on the highway to the superb acceleration (from a 4cylinder in such big AWD cars mind you). Also, at least in the canadian market you had the spare tire as standar, not a true real tire, but one that you could go and safely drive on when you needed it and actually still have lots of space in the trunk when you didn't need the spare.

mmarshall

I've driven the H4-CVT. It's not the worst CVT on the market (that, IMO, arguably belongs to the one in the Scion iQ). But I'm not convinced that the CVT, even with its hardened-metal drive-sprocket, will have the long-term durability of conventional Subaru transmissions, which are well-above-average in reliability.

Anyhow, we'll see.


U.S.-market Subarus get a temporary spare and, in most non-turbo versions, lack the engine-temperature gauge that goes into some other markets (and like in all of the pre-2010 Outbacks). Here, instead of a useful temp-gauge, they use the idiotic vaccum/MPG-needle that, IMO, does nothing but waste dash-space.......that MPG-info is already shown in the digital trip-computer.

blacksc400

iTrader: (4)

Temp gauge is very important to have, this would be a deal breaker to some.

Fizzboy7

The front of this car would look so much better if the botox headlights were half the size and lost their ostentatious wings.

mmarshall

Agreed it is important.....I'm not sure about it being a deal-breaker, though.

Anyway, here's the old, pre-2010 cluster, with the temp-gauge on the lower-left.



And here's the 2010-2012 U.S.-market cluster, with the MPG-needle in the same spot.

Engine-temperature is now idiot-lights instead.

blacksc400

iTrader: (4)

Temp gauge is very important, especially here in Vegas with 110 degree heat in the summer. I always watch my temp gauge to make sure the car is not overheating.

spwolf

is it really? since todays cars are basically made so temp gauge is always in the middle, so what is the big deal then? if it moves, you will get the light, same thing.

Brian@Vossen

Suburu is on a roll.

I actually do check temp gauges in any vehicle I drive.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Compared to other competitors, the 3.6 seems to give up 20 ponies to most other 6's in its class. Also still surprised to see a 5-speed auto

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

horrible hdr processing on photo. makes the busy front end design look even busier. it's still a good car though!

SLegacy99

Supposedly the turbo four has been cancelled. Perhaps it will come back after the DI 2.0L Turbo debuts in the WRX.

bagwell

speaking of the WRX....any news???

besides photoshops that is...