Subaru New Zealand understands the strengths of its vehicles and how to showcase them at a press launch.
In the new Legacy, the journey began in Christchurch and ran through North Canterbury via entertaining twists of inland Highway 70 to Kaikoura then north to Blenheim with a detour through Awatere Valley and across Redwood Pass. The company has not forgotten “Take the Long Way Home” was one of its most effective ad campaigns.
With supportive seats, excellent visibility and sure-footed all-wheel-drive poise, the new Legacy is well suited to longer journeys. The suspension soaks up back-road bumps and camber changes while achieving progressive body control and all-wheel-drive benefits on gravel.
Both new models have 18-inch alloy wheels shod with Dunlop SP Sport Maxx 050 tyres in 225/50 R18 size.
The Subaru Lineartronic transmission is the most convincing of all CVT units — achieving responsive kickdown and tall gearing that allows relaxed highway cruising and low fuel consumption.
The 2.5-litre Legacy is a relaxed four-cylinder open road cruiser, while the 3.6-litre boxer engine brings six-cylinder refinement and a significant gain in overtaking.