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Show C-19 The Park Record Sat/Sun/Mon/Tues, December 3-6, 2005 inong Japanese automakers, Subaru usually plays the understudy. Now. with the release of its latest Legacy and Outback models. he company appears to be on the brink of genuine stardom. Not too many years ago, Subaru was regarded as a fringe player at best. Backing up this reputation was a succession of quirky automobiles that, although, well finished and mechanically sound, never caught on with most buyers. If you remember the oddlynamed Brat pickup (yep. the one with two plastic seals mounted in the bed), diminutive Justy hatchback or fixed-window S VX sports car, you know exactly what we mean. Those vehicles have log since departed, replaced by some of the sharpest and most capable products - thanks to standard allwheel drive - on the market. The all-purpose Outback and Forester models have developed legions of fans and the Impreza-based WRX. and its in-your-face rally-inspired STi offshoot have earned most-fun-for-your-buck status with the scorched-pavement set. In fact, pound for pound and dollar for dollar, the STi is one of the best-performing vehicles you can buy. Now, the new-for'05 Legacy and its Outback offshoot are taking front-and-center aim at mainstream Toyota, Honda and Nissan buyers, as well as luring domestic shoppers for a look-see. The Outback (lower right photo) continues to be the more rugged of the two, with unique front and rear clips, added side cladding and a few inches extra ground clearance for when the terrain turns really treacherous." Both lines continue to be available in sedan and wagon variants, but the sheetmctal is now all-new and more attractive then ever. The sloping roofline of the wagons, in particular, gives these cars a strong dose sporting flair while the sedans could easily be confused with certain German high-output products. In short, these are good looking vehicles that anyone would be proud to be seen in and own. A base 168-horsepower 2.5-litcr horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine provides motivation for the base Legacy 2.5i. 2.5i Limited sedan and wagon plus the Outback 2.5i and 2.5i Limited wagon. However, a turbocharged version of the 2.5 is standard in the Legacy GT and Outback XT. Producing 250 horsepower and 250 Ib.-ft. of torque, this powerplant promises to add considerable sparkle to the slow-but-steady gait of the previous models. Back for another term are the six-cylinder Outbacks, designated the 3.0 R sedan, 3.0R L. L. Bean Edition wagon and 3.0R VDC Limited wagon. This time around, though, there are 250 ponies on tap, equal to the optional turbocharged four-cylinder engine's, output and a 38-horsepower increase over last year's 3.0. An improvement to be sure, but there's 31 fewer Ib.-ft. of torque on call than with the 2.5 turbo motor. Visually, both the Legacy and Outback turbo models are differentiated from the rest of the pack by their functioning hood scoops and 17-inch alloy wheels. Non-turbo Legacys and Outbacks are connected to either a five-speed manual transmission or optional four-speed automatic. The H6 and turbocharged 2.5-litcr units can be ordered with an available five-speed automatic that takes advantage of Subaru's shift-foryourself 'SportshiiV feature. Subaru reports that its turbocharged Legacy/Outback with the five-speed-manual gearbox will crack the six-second barrier in zero-to-60-m.p.h. runs, n pace that will definitely get the attention of anyone who in the past considered thuse curs to be pokey grocery-getters. Regardless of whether you order your Legacy or Outback plain or fancy, .you'll receive a ton of standard hardware, including air conditioning, power windows. Uxks and doors, remote keyless entry and sideimpact/side-curtain airbags. From thai point, the optional-equipment lisl depends on the particular model you've selected, but includes enough content to turn your passion for luxury into a reality. More importantly, these close cousins match superior all-weather handling with a contemporary design that is imaginative without going off the deep end of the styling pool. This admirable creative resirainl should pay off in a big way as Suba.ru dealers begin to dole out the "sold" stickers. SPEC SHEET 2005 Legacy/Outback •A-Four-door, all-wheel-drivo sedans and wagons. •2.5-liter SOHC H4, 2.5-lrter SOHC turbocharged H4 and 3.0-titer DOHC H6 (Outback only), developing 168, 250 and 250 horsepower, respectively. *Rve-speed manual; four-speed automatic and five-speed automatic transmissions. * T h e Oulback is the more aggressive looking of the two, but both models have an attractive quality that proves Subaru fully understands what attracts buyers to its shov/rooms. •We're not entirely certain why the sixcylinder Outbacks are still around. Could it be that they're also about lo ge! !he turbo treatment? •Plenty of standard equipment, as well as all-wheel drive, makes these cars a solid mainstream buy. •Safety: Front airbags; side-impact airbags; side-curtain airbags • MPG (city/hwy): 22/28 (H4, M5) • Base prices: $21,000 (Legacy); $24,000 ...(Outback) ,...„ _... By MALCOLM GUNN lOi WHEELBASE COMMUNICATIONS 2 • INTRODUCING "KEEP IT SIMPLE PRICING." NO TAGS. NO HASSLES. 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