2008
SUBARU NEW CAR MODEL GUIDE
 For
its 2008 line, Subaru of Japan adds power
options with the new Legacy 3.0 R Limited,
Subaru's flagship sedan packing the Legacy
series' first six-cylinder engine. Also
new this year are the Impreza 2.5i and
the souped-up performance Impreza WRX
variation — both available as four-door
sedans and five-door wagons. Also, the
Tribeca, Subaru's crossover utility vehicle
(CUV), sheds its B9 designation and provocative
styling on the prow. All the 2008 Subaru
vehicles carry a simple and economical
all-wheel-drive (AWD) system.
 Tribeca
Subaru's CUV shows an elevated hood with
revised fenders and headlamps, plus a
tall grille integrated into the smooth
bumper. These recent modifications —
plus the conventional tail-side liftgate
— create the impression of a broader
and taller Tribeca. The model also gains
a larger engine with increased power as
the 3.6-liter six-pack romps with 256
horsepower. It ties to a five-speed electronic
automatic with SportShift mode for manual
sequential shifting. The Tribeca's AWD
device employs electronic controls like
variable torque distribution (VTD) and
a stability system labeled Vehicle Dynamics
Control (VDC), plus a four-wheel traction
control system (TCS).
 Legacy
The mid-size Legacy — in four-door
sedans and five-door station wagons —
offers variety, variety, vareity. The
entry comes as the Legacy 2.5 i sedan
and wagon, but also available are the
plush 2.5 i Limited sedan and wagon. The
Legacy 2.5 GT Limited sedan and wagon
get a 2.5-liter four with turbo-charging
and inter-cooling, while the Legacy GT
Spec. B special edition has a heavy-duty,
six-speed manual gearbox and the turbo-charged
2.5-liter four rated to 243 horsepower.
The new Legacy 3.0 R Limited sedan offers
a boxer-six engine with 245 horsepower
and VDC, plus Subaru Intelligent Drive
(SI-DRIVE) performance controls, a Bilstein
Sport Suspension and 18-inch wheels and
tires.
 Outback
New sheetmetal goes to Subaru's five-door
Outback crossover, which works as both
a tall station wagon and dropped-down
SUV. The Outback offers multiple powertrains,
with the base engine as a 2.5-liter four-cylinder
boxer pumping 170 horsepower through a
five-speed manual transmission. This engine
fits into the Outback 2.5i and the uplevel
2.5i Limited. However, a turbo-charged
boxer four-pack goes into the Outback
2.5 XT Limited. The top models —
Outback 3.0 R and 3.0 R L. L. Bean —tote
Subaru's boxer six-cylinder that creates
245 horsepower through a five-speed SportShift
automatic. Also aboard all six-cylinder
Outbacks is the SI-DRIVE.
 Impreza
More sophisticated body styling comes
to Subaru's compact cars, available as
four-door sedans and five-door wagons.
The Impreza cabin expands for passenger
more room in its twin-cockpit layout.
The trims available include Impreza's
2.5i and the Outback Sport Special Edition
with a spoiler on the back gate. The Impreza
2.5i uses Subaru's new, 2.5-liter boxer
four-cylinder engine making 170 horsepower.
Curtain-style side air bags and an anti-lock
brake system (ABS) are stock for all 2008
editions, while VDC skid controls are
also made available. Other options for
the Impreza include a dashboard navigation
system.
 WRX
Subaru commemorates its trophy-collecting
rally cars by producing both sedan and
wagon variations of the Impreza WRX. Its
small package with wide track and independent
suspension, turbo-charges a horizontally-opposed
engine tied to a close-ratio manual transmission
and AWD traction. The new WRX carries
a 2.5-liter turbo, flat-four boxer engine
that delivers 224 horsepower and 226 lb-ft
of torque.
 Forester
The chassis of the Impreza sports coupe
underpins the agile Forester sport utility
vehicle (SUV). The Forester offers turbo-charged
and naturally-aspirated 2.5-liter, boxer
four-cylinder engines. The trims available
include the deluxe Forester 2.5 XT Limited
with premium features. The entry issue
Forester 2.5 X gets a Premium Package
plus power moonroof, while the turbo Forester
2.5 XT Limited adds leather upholstery
and a power moonroof. Subaru's 2.5-liter,
boxer four makes 173 horsepower, but applying
a turbo-charger and inter-cooler pushes
points up to 224 horsepower.
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