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• EyeSight Driver Assistance
• Exterior styling tweaks
• Upgraded interior design, materials and technology.
• Improved refinement levels, quieter cabin.
Edenvale – Subaru SA has updated its flagship Legacy in 2018. The new sedan sports new design tweaks, improved interior and enhanced technology with the inclusion of its new EyeSight Driver Assistance.
In South Africa, one model derivative of the Legacy is available - The flagship, Subaru Legacy 3.6R-S ES powered by a DOHC, six-cylinder 3.6 litre Boxer engine capable of 191kW and 350Nm.
The EZ36 engine is coupled to a smoother and more fluid Lineartronic CVT gearbox. Throttle response has also been improved and it works with symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system as well as Active Torque.
Improved design
The exterior has been given a full refresh, with a sportier and more aggressive front. Subaru designers have heightened the headlight edges for a sharper stare, replete with the signature ‘Konoji-design’ C-shaped daytime LED running lights.
The lower grille opening is now lower and wider, above which the traditional Subaru hexagonal features less chrome detailing than before with two black fins that sit below one chrome line on which the Subaru six-star badge sits. The fog light surrounds and cladding have also been tweaked.
A newly designed bumper has been fitted to the rear with a two-tone layout, the lower end of which features a diffuser-like design incorporating more integrated exhaust outlets. Standout features along the flanks of the Legacy are the new turbine-designed 18”, lightweight alloy wheels as well as new side mirrors that now feature integrated LED turn signal indicators and side view camera (left side) for added drive convenience and safety.
Subaru has also added two new exterior colours to the Legacy range - grey metallic and red pearl.
Up on comfort and technology
In 2018, the Legacy gains premium interior cabin materials along the door and dashboard panelling, now sporting new high-gloss black trim contrasted by silver surrounds. From the driver’s seat, a new multi-function leather steering wheel has been adopted behind which is a newly updated on-board computer display with revised graphics and dial surrounds. The focus of the centre stack is the all-new Infotainment system, the most significant technological upgrade on the Subaru Legacy’s entertainment and connectivity agenda.
The 7" screen is larger and now features the new Subaru touchscreen system similar to those used on other all-new Subaru vehicles.
In addition to new apps and TomTom-based SATNAV as standard, the system is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto enabled. For better connectivity and safer driving, there is the added feature of voice-control now with two microphones as opposed to one before.
The technology is thanks to Nuance (maker of Dragon Dictation apps for computers and other devices) and the result is more accurate voice interaction with Apple’s Siri or OK Google voice commands as well as other voice command functionality for interaction with the climate control and audio settings.
For improved ergonomics, the dual-zone climate control temperature indicators are housed within the control dials, on either side of which the settings are housed in a revised layout with newer graphics and a larger digital clock. Whilst these new changes are quite conspicuous there are some that won’t be so obvious to the eye but will surely be experienced by the driver and passengers nonetheless. Improvements to the air conditioning system means the cabin is cooled or heated faster than before and the air is spread around the cabin more evenly.
Driver-Focused Performance
In addition to a full house of luxury equipment and features, Subaru engineers have gone further in improving the overall driver feel of the new Subaru Legacy. The electric steering has been improved to be more direct and for better communication to the driver.
The dampers have been retuned for better absorption of bumps in the road as well as more stability in corners. The brake pedal feel has been improved too and these changes all contribute to more driver-focussed and more compliant drive, whether driving enthusiastically or just elegantly cruising.
EyeSight Driver Assistance
Class-leading safety is one of the key selling points of Subaru vehicles, and in the executive guise of the 2018 Subaru Legacy, the level of safety has been vastly improved with the introduction of EyeSight Driver Assist technology being offered on the Legacy in South Africa for the first time.
EyeSight is Subaru’s award-winning system that makes use of stereo cameras that scan the road ahead and then act in a number of ways to mitigate or reduce the damage of collisions.
EyeSight features include Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-Collision Braking, Pre-Collision Throttle Management, and Vehicle Lane Departure and Sway Warning. Other new safety technologies on the Subaru Legacy include:Steering Responsive Headlights (SRH).
The Blind Spot Detection and Rear Cross Traffic Alert indicator lamps are larger and have now been moved more prominently to the side of the newly designed side mirrors.
For further convenience and safety, Legacy now sports a Front View Camera and Side View Camera in addition to the Rear-View Camera for better vision directly in front and to the left side of the car.
All these new safety features are in addition to the already impressive list of safety features packed into all Subaru vehicles: Vehicle Dynamics Control; 7 Airbags; ISOFIX child-seat anchors; the use of high-tensile steel in strategic areas around the body structure and more.
Price
The new Subaru Legacy 3.6R-S ES retails for R619 000 and the car is sold with a three-year or 75 000km full maintenance plan as well as a five-year or 150 000km Subaru Warranty.
The Maintenance plans are extendable up to 5-years or 150 000kms at time of purchase.
