LA show: Subaru previews larger next Liberty

SUBARU will premiere a concept version of its sixth-generation Legacy (nee Liberty) mid-sized sedan at the Los Angeles motor show on November 20.

Following in the wheeltracks of recent efforts such as the WRX concept, Viziv and the Advanced Tourer, Subaru’s Legacy teaser manages to be both muscular and sleek, with its radical styling giving broad hints at the company’s future design direction.

Subaru says the car’s oversized wheels and bold flares “express the stability and performance of AWD”, and promises an agile driving dynamic. The hexagonal grille mirrors the Viziv concept shown earlier this year.

Sleek head- and tail-lights, a large upward-arcing side body crease, a raked windowline, full-length glass roof and exaggerated rear diffuser complete the aggressive look.

The concept car’s dimensions also indicate Subaru will consider growing the next Liberty/Legacy into a fully fledged large-car. At 4930mm long, 1940mm wide and 1500mm high on a 2800mm wheelbase, the show car is appreciably longer and wider than the current production model.

Subaru is yet to reveal cabin shots, but says the concept can seat four occupants - like a German grand tourer - on brown leather seats with blue accents. A large floor console running through the middle of the car contains a display screen for rear occupants.

Apparently, the cabin features a large central display that operate like a tablet or smartphone, indicating it will respond to swiping as well as poking. Subaru’s latest EyeSight active safety system features, and includes a heads-up display.

Powertrain and mechanical details beyond the signature all-wheel-drive system are being kept under wraps, but it’s known Subaru is working on new-generation turbo-petrol and hybrid powertrains for various models.

The Legacy Concept will join the main event in LA - Subaru’s all-new production Impreza-based WRX performance hero. In Subaru style, that car is expected to be a watered down version of the concept that previewed it (see link below).

The car you see here will morph into the next production Liberty/Legacy in 2014, and will likely arrive in Australia in this roadgoing form in early 2015 as a replacement for the current fifth-generation version launched in 2009.

These are busy times for Subaru. As well as showing-off the WRX road car and Legacy Concept in LA, it will concurrently premiere a trio of new concepts at the Tokyo motor show, which like the US event kicks off on November 20.

As reported, this threesome will include a new “sports tourer prototype” that will go into production next year, and which will likely be positioned beneath the Liberty/Legacy, judging by its more diminutive dimensions.