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SUBARU LEGACY IS SO QUIET AND SMOOTH

ABOVE: Subaru’s latest flat-four “boxer” diesel engine in the new Legacy is one of the quietest

6th December 2009

By Mark Forsyth

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YOU know an engine’s quiet and smooth when you stare at the rev counter just to see if it’s still running.

Thing is, this is the kind of characteristic you’d expect from a silky smooth V12 petrol engine, not a rattly oil-burner.

But Subaru’s latest flat-four “boxer” diesel engine in the swanky new Legacy is one of the quietest and smoothest
engines in this class.

And, in my opinion, only BMW’s amazing six-cylinder diesel is better. It’s been a while coming though. Subarus have been famed as tough dependable workhorses with an enviable reputation for reliability.

Favoured by well-heeled and car-savvy farmers and the horsey set, the Japanese brand has plodded away without a diesel engine for too long.

For this new diesel engine they’ve kept their flat-four configuration which seems to have worked well for them in the past. If it ain’t broke, why fix it?

This layout has two distinct advantages. One is that it keeps the weight as low as possible with the engine’s centre of gravity pretty much between the wheel hubs.

This is great for improving cornering and reducing body roll. Secondly, because the pistons are flying in opposite directions the resultant forces are cancelled out, making it incredibly smooth.

And boy is it smooth. And torquey. And quiet. The new four-wheel drive Legacy Tourer starts at £27,000 and, with these looks and this build quality, it makes a more than credible alternative to all the other pricier offerings from Deutschland.

And that’s a big compliment.