Subaru Legacy

Hard pressed car maker Subaru will unveil its brand new Legacy at this year’s Detroit Motor Show.

Following the announcement of its immediate and total withdrawal from the World Rally Championship, the Japanese firm moved quickly to prove it has ambitious plans for its road cars by releasing this single teaser image of the new model, expected to hit the road in 2010.

Though exact details remain scarce, it’s believed that the Legacy gets an updated chassis, and a development of Subaru’s trademarked symmetrical all wheel drive system.

Under the bonnet, there’s a new 3.6-litre flat six-cylinder engine, plus an advanced six speed gearbox.

For launch, it’s expected that the 3.6-litre unit could be joined by smaller, more fuel efficient engines. Both 2.5-litre four cylinder and 3.0-litre six cylinder boxer engines will be offered, as will the company’s first diesel, a 2.0-litre turbo, that’s also the world’s only oil burning boxer.

The Legacy concept makes its debut almost 20 years to the day of the lunch of the original Legacy model, and builds on that car’s instantly recognisable design.

With a new look nose, and wide track, the sporty looking saloon is aimed at the likes of the BMW 5-Series and new Mercedes E-Class, which will also debut at Detroit.