CHERRY HILL, NJ – Subaru of America, Inc. has debuted its redesigned 2008 Subaru Legacy and Outback model at the 2007 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Subaru also debuted its new flagship sedan model, the Subaru Legacy 3.0 R Limited, a first-ever six-cylinder Legacy model for the North American market. Subaru equips all its models with symmetrical all-wheel drive as standard.

The 2008 Legacy and Outback model lines are distinguished by revised styling for 2008, featuring a new grille with chrome crossbars and a central Subaru logo. The 2008 Subaru Legacy features all-new front sheet metal with a larger grille opening, new front and rear bumper fascias, and new headlights and taillights. The new front and rear design features reduced overhangs for a sportier appearance.

The Legacy 3.0 R is positioned to compete against mid-size all-wheel-drive performance sedans and introduces a performance-oriented paddle-shift transmission with a new “downshift blipping control” that provides the rev-matching behavior of an expertly shifted manual transmission, according to Subaru. The Legacy 3.0 R is also equipped with 18-inch wheels and tires.

Inside, Legacy and Outback models gain a redesigned instrument panel and revised interior fabrics. A telescopic steering column and a new integrated ignition key/remote entry unit are now standard. Electroluminescent gauges, formerly featured only on the turbo Legacy and Outback models, will now be featured on six-cylinder models for 2008.

The Subaru Legacy has garnered the highest award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) — Top Safety Pick — in the mid-size car segment. Both the Outback and Legacy achieved the highest rating in IIHS frontal offset, and side- and rear-impact tests. In addition, both the Legacy and Outback received Five-Star ratings for the driver and front passenger and rear passengers in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) crash tests.