Subaru Reveals Ultimate Sport/Track Wagon at SEMA 2009

CHERRY HILL, N.J., Nov. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Subaru of America, Inc. is
showcasing the Legacy GTk, a concept for a track-ready sport wagon, at the
2009 Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA) Show at the Las
Vegas Convention Center, Nov. 3-6. A unique design and "added bonus" in the
cargo area make the Legacy GTk the perfect car for a family day at the track.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091102/PH03926 )

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080325/SUBARULOGO )

If a turbocharged, lowered, beefed-up Subaru sport wagon sounds like a great
car for taking to the track for some autocross action, then wait until you
open the rear liftgate. In the generously sized cargo area, you'll find a
Coyote Motorsports XP kart (the "k" in GTk), also ready for track duty -- in
this case, SCCA Solo autocross. The Subaru Legacy GTk is a car you can drive
to the autocross track, and then compete against your kart-driving teenager in
a handicapped point system on the same track -- with no trailer necessary.

The one-of-a-kind Legacy GTk, constructed to Subaru's specifications by
Specialized Vehicles, Inc. (SVI), probes the outer limits of what a sport
wagon can be. The GTk Concept combines the power and presence of a
performance-tuned Legacy with the cargo capacity of the all-new 2010 Outback.
The cargo area is large enough to haul a complete race kart, which weighs
about 160 lbs. with engine and ready to race.

SVI worked with other suppliers to integrate individual sub-systems and
components. Developed by JAC Products with input from Subaru, the roof cargo
management hardware on the Legacy GTk wagon provides a sleek profile while
offering a fully functional cross bar system. The liftgate spoiler, midgate
spoiler and blackout-style HID headlights were sourced from the Japanese
domestic market (JDM) Legacy. SVI applied its own custom parts, including a
front air dam with fog lights; lateral hood vents; custom window tint, and, at
the rear, smoked tail lights and a diffuser. The final touch from SVI is a
custom black-over-red paint scheme.

Subaru Turbo Boosted to 300 HP
The Legacy GTk powertrain, including the new 6-speed manual transmission, is
borrowed from a 2010 Legacy 2.5GT Sedan. With a modified exhaust system and
reprogrammed ECU -- but no bolt-on performance parts -- the 2.5-liter
turbocharged and intercooled engine produces 300 hp and 350 lb.-ft. of torque,
up from the stock model's 265 hp and 258 lb.-ft.

The Legacy GTk draws from the Subaru Performance Tuning (SPT) and STI
catalogs. An SPT short-throw shifter with STI shift knob controls the 6-speed.
The Continuous version of the Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system uses a
viscous coupling locking center differential. The system splits the torque
50:50 and can transfer more power to the wheels with the best traction.

SVI built a custom quad-tipped exhaust system for the Legacy GTk, giving the
Subaru Boxer growl a track-inspired tone. Under the hood, the engine
compartment is dressed out with braided stainless hoses and brake lines and
SPT anodized aluminum parts.

Track-ified Chassis
Bolt-on chassis mods make the Legacy GTk is track-ready, starting up front
with an SPT strut tower brace. Suspension is lowered using Bilstein(®) struts
and suspension calibration, along with STI "pink" springs. A full Brembo(®)
brake upgrade uses 6-piston monobloc calipers in front with 355 x 32 mm
2-piece floating cross-drilled discs and billet aluminum hats. The rear setup
is the same, but with 4-piston calipers. Getting the power to the pavement are
BF Goodrich P245/50 R19 Force-KDW 2 tires mounted to HRE custom 19-inch Comp
wheels.

Custom Interior and "Garage" are Enviro-friendly
Driving a track car is no cause to forgo comfort, convenience and onboard
entertainment. The Legacy GTk interior combines fun and functional. Coming
under the "functional" banner is the custom-made "kart friendly" cargo area
with rubber decking, tie-down points, and LED lighting. Under the "comfort"
column, there is a full custom Ultrasuede(®) and leather trimmed interior,
including Recaro(®) Sportster custom front seats and custom matching rear
seats.

The maker of Ultrasuede, Toray, employed its latest EcoDesign(TM) product to
comply with Subaru of America's policy to minimize waste. (The Subaru of
Indiana Automotive plant that builds Legacy, Outback and Tribeca models has
achieved Zero Landfill status.) The EcoDesign product is made using
100-percent recycled Ultra Microfibers; the base material comes from the
manufacturer's post industrial-sourced polyester film.

The Legacy GTk instrument panel and doors feature carbon fiber patterned trim.
Custom boost, temperature and oil pressure gauges provide vital engine
information, and STI aluminum pedals add a rally car feel. The
harman/kardon(®) custom surround-sound audio system drives 18 speakers with an
11-channel high efficiency GreenEdge processor/amplifier. Compared to
conventional mobile audio systems, harman/kardon GreenEdge components are
lighter and consume less power to produce even higher acoustic output levels.
The system is controlled by a harman/kardon AM/FM/XM/single-CD head unit with
a 7-inch touch-screen display.

The Kart: Fully Functional, Ready to Race
Subaru designed the Legacy GTk as a fully functional vehicle. The idea was to
build a car that would facilitate family racing fun. In this case, the GTk
also highlights a motorsport that enables a parent to compete against his/her
teenager in the same venue -- a rarity in any sport.

Since no trailer would be used, Subaru chose a kart that would not only fit
into the cargo area, but would be suitable for a child old enough to ride in
the front seat, in compliance with child seating laws. The SCCA Junior Driver
kart program offered just that opportunity, its Formula Junior A class
specifically intended for the 12-15 age bracket. Built by Coyote Motorsports
in Spencerport, N.Y., the XP kart is powered by a Yamaha KT-100 two-stroke
engine and can reach up to 50 mph in SCCA Solo racing and up to 120 mph in
road racing.

About Subaru of America, Inc.
Subaru of America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries
Ltd. of Japan. Headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J., the company markets and
distributes Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive vehicles, parts and accessories
through a network of nearly 600 dealers across the United States. Subaru
boasts the most fuel efficient line-up of all-wheel drive products sold in the
market today based on Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fuel economy
standards. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero- landfill production
plants and Subaru of Indiana Automotive Inc. is the only U.S. automobile
production plant to be designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National
Wildlife Federation. For additional information visit www.subaru.com.

Contact: Dominick Infante
Subaru of America, Inc.
856-488-8615
dinfante@subaru.com

Jessica Tullman
Subaru of America, Inc.
310-352-4400
jtullman@subaru.com

SOURCE Subaru of America, Inc.

Dominick Infante, +1-856-488-8615, dinfante@subaru.com, or Jessica Tullman,
+1-310-352-4400, jtullman@subaru.com, both of Subaru of America, Inc.