(autoinsidenews) - Subaru revealed its re-designed 2008 Subaru Legacy and Outback models at the 2007 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. For 2008, the Legacy and Outback model lines will sport revised styling, featuring new grille with chrome crossbars and a central Subaru logo, reports Trend.
Debuting as the new flagship sedan model is the Subaru Legacy 3.0 R Limited, the first-ever 6-cylinder Legacy model for the North American market. The 3.0 R Limited is designed to provide the refinement and sophistication needed to compete against premium European all-wheel drive performance sedans (think Audi).
The 2008 Legacy 3.0 R Limited sedan sits above the 2.5 GT spec.B model as the line's performance/luxury flagship sedan. The 3.0 R Limited is powered by a 3.0L 245-hp 6-cylinder Boxer engine mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission with steering wheel paddle shifters, and shares a similar Bilstein Sport Suspension with the Legacy 2.5 GT spec.B.
The system on the 3.0 R Limited differs in components and tuning and is configured for a ride-and-handling balance unique to this model. The Legacy 2.5 GT spec.B, equipped exclusively with a 6-speed manual transmission, continues to be performance leader of the Legacy line.
In turbo and 6-cylinder Legacy and Outback models with automatic transmissions (standard on 6-cylinder models), new steering wheel paddle shifters are available. The transmission features a downshift blipping control for the rev-matching behavior of an expertly shifted manual transmission. Subaru has also improved shift quality and performance for 2008.