MISSISSAUGA, ON, Feb. 14, 2019 /CNW/ – Subaru Canada, Inc. (SCI) is pleased to announce the Canadian debut of the next-generation 2020 Legacy, continuing its run as the longest-standing entry in the intermediate sedan segment to include standard all-wheel drive.
Unveiled at the 2019 Canadian International AutoShow (CIAS) in Toronto, the seventh-generation Legacy will be the first vehicle to offer the highly anticipated Subaru STARLINK Connected Services suite in Canada.
The latest vehicle to be built on the future-focused Subaru Global Platform, which is designed to meet and exceed current and forthcoming safety standards, the 2020 Legacy continues the tradition of including as standard Subaru’s legendary Symmetrical full-time all-wheel drive for improved confidence and capability. The next-gen. Legacy also marks the return of an available turbocharged engine for outstanding levels of performance and efficiency.
Dynamic x Solid Design
With a design informed by Subaru’s “Dynamic x Solid” philosophy, the 2020 Legacy features styling that expresses a silhouette of motion even when the vehicle is stopped. While recent trends have ushered in an era of sedans with coupe-like silhouettes, the redesigned Legacy stands out for its thick and solid body lines that convey both peace of mind and power. Similarly, the sedan’s fenders have been pushed out further to emphasize its strong stance, while the trunk line has been raised for a sportier look.
Inside, an emphasis has been placed on a cabin that offers upmarket appeal through high-quality design and materials. Front and centre is the available Subaru-first tablet-style vertically mounted 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which more closely mirrors the form and function of a smartphone or tablet.
Elsewhere inside, outstanding outward visibility adds to an already spacious cabin, with expanded dimensions compared to the outgoing model. Adding to the sense of openness is a cabin design that expands outward from the prominent centre stack, with contrasting materials used throughout the lineup.
Contributing to reduced noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) is new sound-insulated glass, which uses a sound-insulating inner film for the windshield and front-door glass, while glass thickness all around has been increased for class-leading quietness.
Almost all measurable interior dimensions have been expanded to improve passenger comfort, including rear seat legroom — which now leads the segment— while the cargo area has lengthened for increased usability and versatility. Contributing to those expanded dimensions is the Legacy’s very foundation, with the Subaru Global Platform designed to maximize usable space in addition to safety.
Strong New Structure
In fact, the structure of the 2020 Legacy is 70 per cent stiffer in both torsional- and front-suspension rigidity, and 100 per cent stiffer in both front lateral flexural- and rear subframe rigidity compared to the previous Legacy’s platform.
Contributing to those impressive increases include a 13 per cent jump in the use of ultra-high tensile-strength steel, a whopping 371 per cent increase in the use of structural adhesive compared to the first iteration of the Subaru Global Platform, and, in a Subaru-first, a floor cross-member filled with a highly rigid and lightweight and two-part foam material.
All of that contributes to a new body that absorbs over 40 per cent more energy in front/side crashes than the outgoing model.
The Power of Choice
Powering the 2020 Legacy is the choice of two engines, both designed to meet the needs of Canadian drivers. The first, a new 2.5-litre SUBARU BOXER, features 90 per cent new parts, as well as direct injection and auto stop/start, and increased output and efficiency. The new engine produces 182 horsepower and 176 lb.-ft. of torque and comes mated to a Lineartronic continuously variable transmission (CVT) with paddle shifters and a new eight-speed manual mode. The combination results in quicker acceleration and improved efficiency.
Marking the return of a turbocharged engine under the hood of the Legacy is the available 2.4-litre SUBARU BOXER that produces 260 horsepower and 277 lb.-ft. of torque. Mated to a high-torque Lineartronic CVT, turbocharged Legacy models benefit from a broad torque curve, with the full breadth of torque coming online at 2,000 rpm and lasting through 4,800 rpm.
The 2020 Legacy continues the model’s tradition of offering a smooth and comfortable ride that is also sporty and agile when called upon. In addition to the standard Symmetrical full-time all-wheel drive, a hallmark of Subaru’s vehicles, the Legacy also features standard active torque vectoring, first introduced on the WRX and WRX STI performance models, for improved handling and cornering performance.
Segment-Leading Safety
Following its successful introduction with the 2019 Forester, the all-new Legacy also benefits from the availability of Subaru’s innovative DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System that is designed to help address distracted driving and driver fatigue.
The segment-exclusive system, which uses facial recognition software to identify signs of driver fatigue or driver distraction, works alongside Subaru’s EyeSight driver assist suite to reduce the likelihood of a collision. Utilizing a camera mounted atop the dash, DriverFocus can register and recognize as many as five drivers and remember their individual pre-sets for seat position and door mirror angle, among others.
Subaru’s EyeSight safety suite, which includes features like adaptive cruise control, lane departure and sway warning, lane-keep assist, lead vehicle start alert and more, will be standard equipment on the 2020 Legacy for increased safety and peace of mind.
New for the next-gen. Legacy is the introduction of Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control — a new lane-centring function integrated into the car’s adaptive cruise control system. While drivers must maintain control of the vehicle at all times and keep their hands on the steering wheel, this new functionality uses the EyeSight system’s stereoscopic cameras to recognize lane markings and the preceding vehicle to stay centred within the vehicle’s lane of travel.
Subaru STARLINK Connected Services
Placing a further emphasis on safety and convenience is the introduction for the first time in Canada of Subaru STARLINK Connected Services. Using the nationwide 4G LTE cellular network — and completely separate from customers’ mobile devices — Subaru STARLINK allows customers to stay connected to their vehicles while also allowing them to receive important information to keep them safe.
Integrated directly into the vehicle, the system uses voice-response technology with the addition of live assistance for features such as Advanced Automatic Collision Notification in the event of a collision, SOS Emergency Assistance, Enhanced Roadside Assistance and Concierge Service.
Customers utilizing these services will be able to receive automatic emergency assistance in the event of a collision, remotely access vehicle features, schedule service appointments with dealers and receive point of interest navigation information among much more.
Other features include remote services, such as remote engine start (including climate control and heated seats), remote lock and unlock, and remote vehicle locator, as well as vehicle alerts such as speed, boundary or curfew alerts that can all be controlled directly from customers’ smart devices.
Set to go on sale this fall, the 2020 Legacy will be on display at CIAS in Toronto from Feb. 15-24.
About Subaru Canada, Inc.
Subaru Canada, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Subaru Corporation of Japan. Headquartered in Mississauga, Ont., the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of 94 authorized dealers across Canada. For more information, please visit www.subaru.ca or www.pr.subaru.ca or follow @SubaruCanada on Twitter.
SOURCE Subaru Canada Inc.
