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Subaru Legacy (second generation)
Encyclopedia
The second-generation Subaru Legacy was marketed in Japan from model year
1993, and 1995 marked the second generation in North America with a full body and chassis revision. The exterior was designed by Olivier Boulay
, who was hired by Subaru
on a short-term basis. The tail light appearance on both the sedan and wagon was influenced by the taillights on the SVX
.
n market from that year to today's current date.
black leather steering wheel installed on the GT and RS model designations continued, but the style changed from a four spoke design to a three spoke. The previous steering wheel was afixed with six allen head screws
to an adapter hub that incorporated the cruise control activation switch which was replaced with an integrated hub inside the three spoke steering wheel and is not compatible with the first generation cruise control arrangement.
turbocharged 2.0 L with AWD. The GTB also offered larger brakes, sway bars, wheels, and some different interior options. Manual GTB's and RSB's also featured the EJ20R twin turbo motor, which was the first legacy to offer 206KW. The manual also shared the TY752VBCAA manual transmission from the Version 3 STi. Auto GTB's and RSB's however kept the less powerful EJ20H. Though the EJ20H was revised in 96 for the B revision.
Turbocharged versions continued to be available in most international markets. Specialty touring and racing versions were available in Japan, as well as the DOHC 2 liter twin sequential turbocharged (EJ20H & EJ20R) version on both the Legacy sedan and wagon, listed as "Boxer 2-stage Twin Turbo" on the engine cover shroud. This engine was popular with Japanese buyers due to reduced tax liability based on Japanese vehicle size legislation; the car offered performance advantages over larger cars sold in Japan with bigger engines but with a smaller tax bill. The twin turbo can only be installed on right-hand drive vehicles because the turbo on the left side interferes with both the brake master cylinder and steering linkage, among other things. A minor performance problem with the twin turbo is there was a "turbo dead zone" that surfaced between the transition from the first turbo before the second turbo would kick in around 3500-4000 rpm. A continuous traction delivery system, called VTD by Subaru
, was used with all JDM turbocharged vehicles with the automatic transmission
. The VTD AWD system is a permanent AWD due to its 36% / 64% split.
The "GT" trim level appeared in 1996. The term "Limited" appeared on the "GT", known as the "GT Limited" in 1998. The term "Limited" was used by itself on the Outback in 1998.
GT models, first offered as a wagon trim package for the USA version in 1994, became a full-blown upgrade in 1996, using the new DOHC 2.5L EJ25D flat-4
engine. GT models continue to the present model, with Limited editions available, offering heated leather or cloth seats and trim and a tinted glass moonroof. Driver and front passenger airbag
s were added with the redesigned interior. New equipment added to the list of features included RF
remote keyless entry, fog lights on the upper trim levels and speed-sensitive power steering.
An unusual interior change placed the power window switches flat against the door panel, whereas the window switches for the first generation and third generation extended from the door panels and were oriented in a horizontal position and were located underneath the drivers or occupants hands for easy location and use, and integrated into the door pull and armrest. The express up feature for the driver's window was also removed, leaving express down only. The power door lock switch design was upgraded to a more conventional door lock switch, installed next to the power window switches, with a secondary power lock switch installed for the front passenger.
Side turn signal repeater lenses that were introduced on the USA 1992-1994 Legacy were replaced by a plastic cap that matched the color of the door rub strip on vehicles sold in North America.
issues around 100,000 miles, which were addressed and much improved on the Third Generation models. Current aftermarket head gasket
kits for sale have been updated to eliminate this problem. Once this repair is performed once, they almost never fail again.
Model year
The model year of a product is a number used worldwide, but with a high level of prominence in North America, to describe approximately when a product was produced, and indicates the coinciding base specification of that product....
1993, and 1995 marked the second generation in North America with a full body and chassis revision. The exterior was designed by Olivier Boulay
Olivier Boulay
Olivier Boulay is an automobile designer. Starting from 2009, he is the head of Daimler's Advanced Design Centre in Beijing, China....
, who was hired by Subaru
Subaru
; is the automobile manufacturing division of Japanese transportation conglomerate Fuji Heavy Industries .Subaru is internationally known for their use of the boxer engine layout popularized in cars by the Volkswagen Beetle and Porsche 911, in most of their vehicles above 1500 cc as well as...
on a short-term basis. The tail light appearance on both the sedan and wagon was influenced by the taillights on the SVX
Subaru Alcyone SVX
The Subaru Alcyone SVX, also known outside of its home market Japan as the Subaru SVX, is a two-door grand tourer coupé that was sold by Subaru, the automobile manufacturing division of Japanese transportation conglomerate Fuji Heavy Industries . Produced from 1991 to 1997, it was FHI's first...
.
North American models
In 1996, Subaru decided to make AWD standard equipment in all vehicles produced for the North AmericaNorth America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
n market from that year to today's current date.
30th Anniversary Edition (1999)
It was a version commemorating the 30th anniversary of Subaru. It includes upgraded interior and sunroof, spoiler, and alloy wheels on the "L" trim level cars.Japanese models
Subaru still offers a choice between front- and all-wheel-drive for its domestic market vehicles. The MOMOMOMO (company)
MOMO Srl is a design company headquartered in Milan, Italy that makes accessories and parts for automobiles.- Company history :MOMO was founded by gentleman racer Giampiero Moretti in the 1960s. MOMO are the initials for Moretti-Monza. Monza is a region in the Province of Milan.In 1969 MOMO opened...
black leather steering wheel installed on the GT and RS model designations continued, but the style changed from a four spoke design to a three spoke. The previous steering wheel was afixed with six allen head screws
Hex key
A hex key, Allen key, or Allen wrench is a tool of hexagonal cross-section used to drive bolts and screws that have a hexagonal socket in the head .- Nomenclature :...
to an adapter hub that incorporated the cruise control activation switch which was replaced with an integrated hub inside the three spoke steering wheel and is not compatible with the first generation cruise control arrangement.
GT
Introduced on launch in 1993, the Gen 2 GT introduced Subaru's new Sequential Twin Turbo. These models were still using an EJ20 2.0 L DOHC engine, shared with the RS.RS
The RS simply was the GT sedan for the Gen 2's, and available in manual or auto. This was a change from the first generation RS, which was manual only, and featured different interiors. There was still a GT sedan offered however, and was full leather, and automatic transmission only.GT-B (1996-1998)
Was a Japanese model station wagon introduced in June 1996 (BG5B). It includes front and rear Bilstein struts, with the upgrade also available on the RS. The "B" designation stood for Bilstein. The Legacy GT was available for sale around the same time as the Nissan Avenir SalutNissan Avenir
The Nissan Avenir is a line of station wagons beginning production in May 1990 by Nissan of Japan, with the budget minded delivery van starting out as the Avenir Cargo, then being renamed in 1999 as the ' aimed primarily at the commercial market. It replaced the long-serving Nissan Bluebird...
turbocharged 2.0 L with AWD. The GTB also offered larger brakes, sway bars, wheels, and some different interior options. Manual GTB's and RSB's also featured the EJ20R twin turbo motor, which was the first legacy to offer 206KW. The manual also shared the TY752VBCAA manual transmission from the Version 3 STi. Auto GTB's and RSB's however kept the less powerful EJ20H. Though the EJ20H was revised in 96 for the B revision.
TS-R
Or TS type R, was a 2.0L naturally aspirated DOHC, and had comparable trim to the GT's. B spec TS-R's were also available, with the same body kit, interior, wheels, and Bilstein suspension. The TS-R did not receive projector headlights with the 'Rev B' face lift unlike the 250T and GT's250T
The 250T was a 2.5L naturally aspirated DOHC, and was available in full GT trim. B spec 250T's were also available, with the same body kit, wheels, and Bilstein suspension.GT-B Limited (1997-1998)
Offered only for the BG5C revision (MY97), the limited offered an altered front bumper, with additional large spotlights. Other differences included a woodgrain momo wheel and gear knob, not otherwise available. Mechanically they are identical to standard BG5C GTB's though. Limiteds were not available in sedan.LPG models
According to the French Wikipedia, LPG was introduced as an alternative fuel source on European models with the 2.0 L and 2.2 L engines, built by company Necam Koltec. The fuel tank was installed in the spare tire compartment, with the spare tire installed vertically on the left side of the trunk or cargo area.Legacy Twin Turbo
Subaru
; is the automobile manufacturing division of Japanese transportation conglomerate Fuji Heavy Industries .Subaru is internationally known for their use of the boxer engine layout popularized in cars by the Volkswagen Beetle and Porsche 911, in most of their vehicles above 1500 cc as well as...
, was used with all JDM turbocharged vehicles with the automatic transmission
Automatic transmission
An automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...
. The VTD AWD system is a permanent AWD due to its 36% / 64% split.
Trim levels
The Brighton trim level also carried over from the facelifted first generation version that was priced below the "L" trim option.The "GT" trim level appeared in 1996. The term "Limited" appeared on the "GT", known as the "GT Limited" in 1998. The term "Limited" was used by itself on the Outback in 1998.
GT models, first offered as a wagon trim package for the USA version in 1994, became a full-blown upgrade in 1996, using the new DOHC 2.5L EJ25D flat-4
Flat-4
A flat-4 or horizontally opposed-4 is a flat engine with four cylinders arranged horizontally in two banks of two cylinders on each side of a central crankcase...
engine. GT models continue to the present model, with Limited editions available, offering heated leather or cloth seats and trim and a tinted glass moonroof. Driver and front passenger airbag
Airbag
An Airbag is a vehicle safety device. It is an occupant restraint consisting of a flexible envelope designed to inflate rapidly during an automobile collision, to prevent occupants from striking interior objects such as the steering wheel or a window...
s were added with the redesigned interior. New equipment added to the list of features included RF
Radio frequency
Radio frequency is a rate of oscillation in the range of about 3 kHz to 300 GHz, which corresponds to the frequency of radio waves, and the alternating currents which carry radio signals...
remote keyless entry, fog lights on the upper trim levels and speed-sensitive power steering.
Chassis types
| Code | Body style |
|---|---|
| BD | Sedan |
| BG | Standard 'stepped' roof wagon |
| BK | US smooth roof wagon |
Equipment
The remote keyless entry can unlock just the drivers door by pushing the unlock button once, with two pushes unlocking all doors. Using the key to unlock the door after using the remote keyless entry to lock the doors will cause the alarm to sound, if equipped with a security system. The doors must be unlocked with the remote to avoid the security system from being set off.An unusual interior change placed the power window switches flat against the door panel, whereas the window switches for the first generation and third generation extended from the door panels and were oriented in a horizontal position and were located underneath the drivers or occupants hands for easy location and use, and integrated into the door pull and armrest. The express up feature for the driver's window was also removed, leaving express down only. The power door lock switch design was upgraded to a more conventional door lock switch, installed next to the power window switches, with a secondary power lock switch installed for the front passenger.
Side turn signal repeater lenses that were introduced on the USA 1992-1994 Legacy were replaced by a plastic cap that matched the color of the door rub strip on vehicles sold in North America.
Head gasket issues
Nearly all newly developed EJ25D DOHC 2.5 L engine for this generation have experienced leaking head gasketHead gasket
A head gasket is a gasket that sits between the engine block and cylinder head in an internal combustion engine. Its purpose is to seal the cylinders to ensure maximum compression and avoid leakage of coolant or engine oil into the cylinders; as such, it is the most critical sealing application in...
issues around 100,000 miles, which were addressed and much improved on the Third Generation models. Current aftermarket head gasket
Head gasket
A head gasket is a gasket that sits between the engine block and cylinder head in an internal combustion engine. Its purpose is to seal the cylinders to ensure maximum compression and avoid leakage of coolant or engine oil into the cylinders; as such, it is the most critical sealing application in...
kits for sale have been updated to eliminate this problem. Once this repair is performed once, they almost never fail again.