Launched in November 2003 to universal acclaim, the completely new Legacy saloon and Sports Tourer are now available in high-performance 3.0R spec.B variants.
These driver-focused range-toppers are aimed at premium European marques, with some customers also expected to trade 
up from the iconic Impreza WRX and STi.
But while the Legacy spec.B’s performance and driving dynamics are tailored for enthusiasts, its ride, refinement and luxury have undergone painstaking attention by Subaru’s engineers.
The Legacy spec.B – which complements the five-speed automatic 3.0R – will be priced at £26,500 on-the-road for the saloon and £27,500 as a Sports Tourer – only £500 more than the Legacy 3.0R and substantially lower than its prestige rivals. 
Its official unveiling was on Press Day at the Paris Motor Show, September 2004.
The Legacy range itself currently holds the ‘Car of the Year Japan 2003-4’ title despite fierce competition from cars such as the BMW 5 Series and Jaguar XJ.
New Six-Speed Close-Ratio Manual Gearbox
Key to the new Legacy 3.0R spec.B’s involving driving experience is a new six-speed close-ratio manual gearbox.
Based on that fitted to the Impreza WRX STi, more than 50 per cent of the parts – such as the casing and gear teeth – are new in order to suit the character of the car.
For example, the clutch and gearchange operations are both lighter, while reduced noise, vibration and harshness give a more relaxed drive.
This has been achieved by using a special honing process which polishes the gear teeth, together with fitting a synchroniser sleeve which reduces engine-induced gearshift vibration.
Even the gear throws are longer compared to the Impreza STi with the aim of matching the weighting of the steering for a feeling of harmony and balance.
Also designed to provide a prestige feel is a clutch control mechanism electronically connected to the accelerator. This stall-resistant electronic control system provides an especially smooth take-off.
Involving, Interactive Chassis Further Improved
Customers and motoring journalists alike have heaped praise on the new Legacy’s chassis dynamics thanks to its involving steering, natural symmetrical all-wheel drive balance and long-travel suspension with a well damped ride.
Now, the new 3.0R spec.B goes one step further following painstaking fine-tuning.
For example, the MacPherson strut front suspension features exclusive inverted struts similar to the Impreza WRX STi.
This gives more rigid control of geometry during severe, high-load cornering or while covering bumpy surfaces. As a result, grip and steering feel are both increased.
Bilstein front and rear shock-absorbers are also fitted which improve both roll-resistance and damping sensitivity, giving a smoother, better-controlled ride.
For sharp steering response and reassuring stability, larger, 8JJ x 18 ins wheels are fitted, together with 215/45R18 tyres.
Features shared with all new Legacys are a low-centre-of-gravity, horizontally-opposed engine and a sophisticated multi-link rear suspension with especially rigid mountings for extra straight-line stability.
The conventional hydraulic power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering has a special damper valve which reduces kick-back during hard cornering. Meanwhile, response to initial steering movements is enhanced by a new low-hysteresis cannon mount for the steering gearbox.
Standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive
Like all Subarus, the new Legacy 3.0R spec.B boasts a rally-honed symmetrical all-wheel drive system which feeds full time power to all four wheels.
Once either the front or rear of the car begins to slide, torque is rapidly fed to the axle with the most grip.
As a further boost, the Legacy spec.B has a rear limited-slip differential allowing torque to be shared between both rear wheels. This LSD facility gives sharper turn-in and more throttle-adjustable handling.
Unlike some 4WD cars – with their inelegant transmission systems and power-sapping transfer boxes, or certain sport utilities with transverse-mounted engines and gearboxes and, again, inefficient transfer boxes – Subaru’s AWD system is simple and effective.
Because the ‘boxer’ engine is in-line with the gearbox which is, in turn, in-line with the propshaft and rear differential, frictional losses are kept to a minimum. In addition, the drive shafts are of equal length for a ‘pure’ division of power.
Ultra-Smooth, Flexible New 245 PS Flat-Six
A major contributor to the new Legacy 3.0R spec.B’s refinement and effortless performance is its new 245 PS horizontally-opposed six-cylinder ‘boxer’ engine. This was first fitted to the automatic-only saloon, Sports Tourer and Outback at their introduction in November 2003.
Featuring twin overhead camshafts per bank, maximum power is 245 PS at
6,600 rpm with a solid 219 lb. ft of torque at 4,200 rpm. The bore and stroke are 89.2 x 80 mm respectively and the unit runs on a 10.7:1 compression ratio.
Improvements over the previous engine as fitted to the H6–3.0 Outback include Active Valve Control for the intake air plus variable valve lift.
The engine also has a fast-response electronic throttle, re-profiled pistons, a lighter, quieter crankshaft and 3-port, 6-2-1 exhaust system which boosts power and lowers emissions.
The result is a top speed of 151 mph for the saloon and a 0-60 mph time of 6.5 seconds with the Sports Tourer not far behind, recording 145 mph and 6.6 seconds for the 0-60 dash.
Sophisticated Styling, Understated Upgrades
The new Subaru Legacy 3.0R spec.B deliberately boasts understated styling and equipment upgrades for sporty owners who do not want to attract attention to their car’s performance potential.
Key differences to the Legacy 3.0R automatic include dark metallic headlamp surrounds and exclusive high-lustre, dark metallic 7-spoke alloy wheels in a larger 8JJ x 18 ins size than the auto, with 215/45 R18 tyres.
Launched in November 2003, the totally new Legacy features a confident new poise and presence with an interior ambience now acknowledged as matching the best in the European sporting executive sector.
Inside the Legacy spec.B are special black leather seats and door trim while also unique to this model are aluminium pedals and a new design of ‘easy-grip’ gear knob.
The equipment level is lavish, mainly matching the existing Legacy 3.0Rn automatic, meaning eight-way electrically-adjustable front seats, a six-stacker CD system, electrically-powered sunroof, front, side and curtain airbags and satellite navigation.
Other standard items include full climate-control air-conditioning, four electric windows, a Thatcham Category One alarm/immobiliser, heated front seats, door mirrors and windscreen de-icer and electro-luminescent instruments which swing in a full arc every time the ignition is turned on.
Supreme Customer Care
Like all new Subarus officially imported by Subaru (UK) Limited, the new Legacy spec.B offers the reassurance of a three year/60,000 mile warranty plus three years’ paintwork and 12 years’ anti-corrosion cover (with inspections).
This is in addition to three years’ free membership of Subaru Assistance – a comprehensive home and roadside repair and recovery package throughout the UK and Europe, administered by Mondial Assistance.
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