Autoblog

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It's been a year since the last JDM Legacy "tuned by STI" hit Subaru's home-market showrooms, and like clockwork, the new version has been announced. The package is available for the Legacy Touring Wagon and the Legacy B4 sedan. The "tuned by STI" cars are based on the 2.0 GT spec.B package, which plants a 260-hp/253 lb-ft (5AT) or 280-hp/253 lb-ft (6MT) turbo four-cylinder underhood. From there, a full STI visual upgrade is applied, and additional enhancements/accessories include:

• STI 18" wheels
• STI leather key case
• McIntosh audio system
• HDD navigation system
• STI springs and dampers
• STI strut tower bar
• Brembo brakes
• STI sport muffler
• STI-branded sill plates
• STI-programmed ECU

Power is delivered to all four wheels via a 5-speed auto with the Prodrive-developed Sportshift or a traditional 6-speed manual. As was the case last time, we can't get them here. The wagon looks great, of course, which makes us feel even worse, since we're now limited to just the Outback in that body style.

[Source: Subaru]

For 2008, Subaru has decided to simplify your car shopping experience whether you wanted them to or not. Gone are the Legacy Wagon and Outback Sedan. All Legacy models going forward are sedan-only, and all Outbacks are wagon-only. Frankly, we think this kinda stinks, as the Legacy Wagons were good-looking, sporty machines that allowed buyers to get a car with a good level of utility without having to also take the pseudo-SUV, moderately jacked-up look of the Outback. That's all over. It all obviously makes sense to Subaru, otherwise it wouldn't have made the change, and while we're fans of the Legacy wagons, we must say that the majority of newer Legacy-family cars we see in that body style are indeed Outbacks. Likewise, based on what we see on the roads, the standard Legacy Sedan easily outnumbers the newly-defunct Outback Sedan. Of course, in Japan and other markets, you can still a Legacy Wagon, and the JDM Outback's got a better-looking face, too. This seems to be an America-only bummer.

[Source: Kicking Tires]

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Yesterday, Subaru announced the Subaru Legacy "tuned by STi" package for the Japanese market. Limited to 600 units total, the tuner kit can be ordered for either the Legacy Wagon or Legacy B4 (sedan). No engine modifications are part of the package since it's available only for the 2.0 GT spec.B trim, which already features Legacy's top-of-the-line 280-horsepower mill.

The list of add-ons includes the following:

• Sport suspension feat. Bilstein dampers
• 18" STi wheels
• STi front and rear spoilers
• Brembo brake upgrade
• Leather/Alcantara seating with red contrast stitching
  
• STi electro-luminescent gauge pack
• STi badging
• STi muffler with dual tip

Al of those are applied to the recently-facelifted Legacy, which looked great to begin with, to give it a decidedly sportier look and feel than the already-impressive spec.B model. In addition to the body style, buyers can choose between 6-speed manual or 5-speed (paddle-shift) automatic transmissions. Pricing ranges from ¥3,979,500 ($34,700 USD) to 4,116,000 ($35,800 USD). Dealers are taking orders now, and deliveries will commence in February.

Japan gets all the fun. Forester STi, Legacy STi ... Come on, Subaru! Where's the love?

(Additional photos after the jump)

[Source: Subaru]