The Subaru Legacy seems to have fallen out of favour just lately in South Africa, as has the Subaru brand mostly, but imagine just for a second if it were still knocking around and that Subaru managed to produce a hot-stix STI version of the Legacy. In Japan, Subaru have made such a thing in the form of a limited edition, 300 unit run of their ‘B4’ Sedan and Touring Wagon, or Legacy to us here in South Africa.
Available as a sedan or a station wagon in Japan, the 2.5i ‘tS’ is distinguished by front and rear spoilers, a sports exhaust system and 18-inch alloy wheels. The STI touch is felt on the outside thanks to the new roof (Touring Wagon) or boot-lid (B4) spoilers, front and rear aprons, STI and “tS” badges, honeycomb upper and lower grilles and chrome exhaust tips. Inside, the are leather / Alcantara combination sport seats, titanium gray trim and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with red contrast STI stitching. Other highlights include an STI-badged instrument cluster and a push-button ignition.
Looks aside, under the skin the story isn’t quite as cheerful, because power is provided by the normally aspirated, Japanese spec, 2.5-litre 4-cylinder boxer engine that develops 127 kW and 235 Nm of torque. It is connected to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive system. That is hardly a recipe that is going to set the tracks alight with the Legacy STI’s performance, but for some improved handling, the model has at least been equipped with a front tower brace, aluminum control arms, Bilstein shocks and STI coil-over kit.
Like other Subaru vehicles bearing the ‘tS’ moniker, the STI upgrades on the limited run Legacy sedan and estate are focused on the styling and handling aspects of the car and don’t delve into power upgrades. Is it enough for the ailing Subaru Legacy? Probably not we suspect.
