I have been reading about this in the press and has been getting excellent reviews for it's linear nature and refinement altough some say it is too linear. Sue Baker n her "What Diesel" review said she overheard another hack saying the engine was "gutless".

I am sorely tempted to try one but it is a bit out of my price range at the moment. I did browse on Youtube and found a clip of this engine idling. It does indeed sound swiss watch compared to most other Diesels.:thumbup:I just hope it has some of that Boxer character. The 2.0 petrol ( in the Legacy) spins to 7500rpm and really howls while doing it, better than the WRXas there is no Turbo to take the edge of the exhaust. Anyone else going to try one and does anyone know when these will be in the dealers?

I wouldn't mind testing one. All the reviews say its supposed to be super smooth due to the "equalising effect" of the boxer setup.

Current spec for the tourer:

Power: 148BHP (150PS)

Torque: 258 lb/ft (350NM)

0-60: 8.9 seconds

Top end: 126mph

CO2: 151 - 154 g/km

Kerb weight- 1510 - 1565kg

Fuel consumption: 48.7 - 49.6mpg (combined).

The Boxer derv will be 'turned up' in due course. I would expect power in excess of 175 BHP.

It's supposed to be on a par with the latest higher powered derv Mondeo so not too shabby and the Legacy isn't exactly made o' tinfoil is it

Nice low centre of gravity too - always helps with a diesel engine.

Probably not the right place to say it but I'll probably buy one of these little puppies eventually.

I already have a Legacy booked for a week-end test drive (Sat am to Mon am) with my local Subaru dealer (they maintain the Fabia at the moment), but I'm in the middle of what sounds like a long queue.

I'll post a report after I get my hot little mitts on one.

"The Boxer derv will be 'turned up' in due course. I would expect power in excess of 175 BHP".

Yes - I agree but that's at a minimum I would say. VW and Audi will need to look to their laurels in the derv-performance market once these rice-oil burners hit the streets.

Autocar seemed to love it. Although the emissions look a little high, so I wonder if the engine will be as economical as other 2 litre diesels, their petrol engine wasn’t (none turbo). Someone told me it had something to do with long intake tracts of a boxer engine????

I've been waiting a while for Subaru to bring out a diesel (apparently it's been on the cards for 20 odd years but GM wouldn't allow it). The thing which amazed me was that the fuel economy quoted is with permanent 4wd! Will be interesting to see how real-world figures compare though.

Oh, and if they sort out the Impreza's styling again

Chris

Blimey, I've just learn't something.... didn't know Subaru were GM owned.

GM used to have a stake I think but no longer. Toyota is a shareholder now. Type the name of this thread in Youtube and have a listen to this engine.

GM used to have a stake I think but no longer. Toyota is a shareholder now.

Yep GM had a stake of 20% stake which they bought off Nissan in 1999. IIRC they then sold about half that stake to Toyota in 2005 and announced that they would sell the rest of their stake at some point in the near future....

Chris

I drove one of these today. The engine is amazing as is the handling. Test drive route included some wet country lanes and you can plant your foot going round wet corners with no loss of grip. The engine really is very petrol like with a much more linear power band than I've experienced in any other diesel. It's very quiet at idle and actually sounds quite nice under acceleration. Toying with the idea of putting down a deposit tomorrow.

I believe Impreza diesel should be out in December.

I drove one of these today. The engine is amazing as is the handling. Test drive route included some wet country lanes and you can plant your foot going round wet corners with no loss of grip. The engine really is very petrol like with a much more linear power band than I've experienced in any other diesel. It's very quiet at idle and actually sounds quite nice under acceleration. Toying with the idea of putting down a deposit tomorrow.

Decided against it in the end as I wasn't completely happy with the leg room and room around the pedals.

I drove one of these today. The engine is amazing as is the handling. Test drive route included some wet country lanes and you can plant your foot going round wet corners with no loss of grip.

Have you driven a petrol Impreza as I'd be interested to know how the two compare?

Chris