The Auto Writer

The aged Subaru Legacy is in need of an overhaul. A concept Legacy will make its debut at next month's North American International Auto Show in Detroit -- could this be the picture of things to come?

You have to hand it to Japanese automaker Subaru.  Besides Daimler, Subaru is the only full line car company selling more cars in the US this year than last. In Daimler’s case the timely introduction of the Smart ForTwo has made all of the difference for it, but for Subaru the popular Forester has managed to bolster its sales.

Subaru’s “family” sedan — the Legacy — has consistently served as the brand’s flagship car, but the car hasn’t had a complete redesign since 2003. In the ultra competitive midsize sedan segment, that spells trouble and explains why sales for the aged model are down 15% year to date. Indeed, when the final sales figures are in for the year, just 23,000 Legacys will have been sold.

A new Legacy is on its way and visitors to the NAIAS (Detroit Auto Show) next month will be the first ones to get a glimpse of a concept Legacy that Subaru has promised to bring to the Motor City. 

According to Subaru, “The exterior highlights the sportiness and dynamism befitting a car powered by a 3.6-liter Horizontally-Opposed Boxer engine. A distinctive front fascia and flared wheel arches establish a powerful road presence and hint at the exceptional handling promised by the Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system and low center of gravity. The interior embodies modern, high-tech architecture while delivering a comfortable environment for occupants.”

The Legacy is built in Japan as well as at the company’s production plant in Indiana. Subaru says that 3.6 million models have been built over its twenty year lifespan, with 43% of current production in the US market. Clearly, those numbers have been dwindling of late, hence the concept.

My best guess is that the Legacy concept will give a strong indication of the styling trend for Subaru over the next few years and that the concept and the next generation Legacy will look quite similar when the fifth generation model debuts in 2010.