Click above for a high-res gallery of the Liberty GT tuned by STI
Subaru's Australian outpost is set to deliver a localized special edition Liberty GT (Liberty = Legacy) that's been upgraded with a laundry list of components from the STI catalog. The Liberty GT tuned by STI makes 260 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque and will be made available with either a 6-speed stick or a 5-speed sportshift automatic. Brembos, Bilstein shocks, STI springs, a new muffler, lightweight Enkeis, and leather-and-Alcantara sport seats are but a few the features included in the 250-car limited edition, which is now on sale in Australia. Hey Subaru of America, where's the love like this for U.S. customers?
[Source: Subaru Australia]
PRESS RELEASE:
Liberty GT Tuned for Perfection
Subaru's special edition Model Year 2008 Liberty GT tuned by STI has been released featuring multiple upgrades from the Subaru Tecnica International catalogue.
With an enhanced power output of 194 kW at 6000 rpm and 350 Nm of torque at 2800 rpm, this locally tuned variant also features STI suspension upgrades and interior treatments.
Bilstein shock absorbers, featuring damping ratios unique to STI, enhance stroke feeling, linear control and produce a flatter ride.
The rear suspension kit contains partial ball bearing-jointed bushes, suppressing suspension friction to achieve high lateral rigidity, further improving road holding.
STI springs lower the car by 5mm.
Brembo brakes (four pot front, two pot rear) are painted black, complementing the sports styling. A stainless steel mesh-type brake hose is added, enhancing response and ensuring high braking performance.
12-spoke, 18-inch ENKEI wheels with STI badging are 2.5 kilograms lighter than standard Liberty GT wheels and are available in a new colour � luminosity silver.
The front grille treatment is unique to the model as is exterior "tuned by STI" badging.
Front lip and rear boot STI spoilers suppress lift, improve aerodynamics and increase stability when driving at speed. A sports muffler with new tip design completes the exterior upgrades.
Inside, leather and alcantara front seats feature a cherry red STI logo. Designed with a balance of firmness and suppleness they provide support and reduce fatigue during long distance driving.
An eight-way power driver�s seat with memory settings is also featured.
The instrument cluster includes the speedometer featuring STI logo and new STI sill plates are used on all door openings.
Vehicles are available in sedan and wagon, six-speed manual and five-speed SPORTSHIFT automatic variants, in a choice of black, silver, grey and white.
Recommended retail pricing:
Manual sedan $65,990
SPORTSHIFT automatic sedan $65,990
Manual wagon $67,990
SPORTSHIFT automatic wagon $67,990
Dealer delivery and statutory charges are additional.
Only 250 Liberty tuned by STI vehicles will be built.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
4agze @ Jun 10th 2008 6:10PM
see, why can't we get something like this in the US ...NO we get a new stupid Cobalt sad...
Geeky1 @ Jun 10th 2008 6:18PM
Do want.
Would be perfect parked between the Legacy GT and the STI.
Seoultrain @ Jun 10th 2008 6:23PM
If you mean at the dealership, I agree.
If you mean in your driveway, I hate you.
case @ Jun 10th 2008 6:23PM
I've always liked the LGTs, but that pricing is in Australian currency, right? Right?!?!
Geeky1 @ Jun 10th 2008 6:26PM
Yes. The taxes on cars in Australia are insane; every time I've looked, cars have been ~2x what they are here (well, "here" for me...) in the US.
Torrent @ Jun 10th 2008 6:23PM
America can't get sh*t.
DKB_SATX @ Jun 10th 2008 6:28PM
In answer to the author's question, I don't think there is any love from Subaru bestowed upon US fans of the Legacy. They don't market the car, they dropped the Wagon (no, an Outback really isn't the same, try driving both) and then they wonder why no one buys them.
They first whinged that not enough people were buying manual-transmission wagons. When I bought mine there were only 2 manual transmission Legacy Wagons in dealer inventory in south, central and southeast Texas. I'm not sure how they expect to sell cars that aren't available...
Subaru doesn't love Legacy buyers much, they want to sell Outbacks.
Benfolio @ Jun 10th 2008 6:32PM
That's so odd, you'd think they'd sell more Outbacks, well, in the Outback.
to_brag @ Jun 10th 2008 11:43PM
Benfolio...
Yeah because the whole of Australia is the outback??? On that note im going to go and ride my Kangaroo to feed my pet Koala who rides wombats around chasing crocodiles...all through the main streets of town....
Idiot
JR @ Jun 10th 2008 6:31PM
agreed DKB! (you don't happen to belong to lgt.com, do you?)
And that looks sick!!! Great looking car! Take that, Camry SE! haha
DKB_SATX @ Jun 10th 2008 6:49PM
yes, I'm a member at legacygt.com and will remain so as long as my lovely '05 holds out, but I'll probably go to another brand for my next wagon. The new WRX isn't terrible, especially in STI trim, but it's more hatch than wagon and I use the wagon aspect of my car pretty regularly. The new Forester is bigger than I like, and auto-only for the turbo engine (what the HELL are they smoking?) and is as tippy-tall as the Outback anyway. So, my next wagon is likely to be an A4 Avant, 3-series Touring or a SportKombi. Oh, and there's that CTS Wagon rumor... funny that most of the wagons available these days are high-dollar sport-luxomobiles. At least the Legacy seems like it's going to last a long time.
mk @ Jun 10th 2008 8:15PM
Seconded from a sedan stand point, and also a forum member. (IWSS)
Now not even Canada gets the Legacy GT Limited, in sedan or wagon form, only a few Spec B sedans.
I could find no manual transmission Legacy GT sedans when I was ready to buy, and ended up buying used on the east coast, and driving it back to Iowa.
Maybe I'll upgrade to a used '09 GT Spec B, and up-convert it to the same specs as the "Tuned by STI, or as close as I can get to an S402 in the aftermarket... But I don't see any of that coming to the US officially. Sadly.
I thought the Spec B was a bit over-priced with only one or two colors available, but now they've opened up the color palette slightly for '09, and the $45k Saab 9^3 Turbo X makes the Spec B look like a bargain. The S402 would SMOKE the Saab for $45k, if it even would cost that much in the US.
The Tuned By STI model, though, is actually what the Spec B should be, and what we know as the Spec B should be at the GT Limited's $29k price point.
The wagon situation is abysmal, but short of a CTS wagon, or a new A4 Avant, or the SportCombi, and underwhelming, expensive 3-series, and the now cancelled Magnum, I am not sure what else even comes close...
Sad also that Subaru cut one of the only options on the market, they had a niche to themselves, that had they advertised it cleverly, and made them available for factory order, (even if they don't like keeping them in dealer stock) they could have had a little bit of affordable niche market going there for AWD sport wagons that beat the snot out of CUVs, performance wise.
Benfolio @ Jun 10th 2008 6:36PM
Maybe they need to go the route they took with the Impreza and give it full framed doors. Might attract more buyers if it's less quirky.
I kinda agree that these days frameless windows are a joke.
And I own a LGT..... it's a '97, but still.
DKB_SATX @ Jun 10th 2008 6:41PM
The frameless windows really are the only overt quirk of my '05 LGT Wagon. I guess you could also consider it a quirk that it outperforms competitive cars that cost $10k more, but most people don't know that. In fact, most people don't even know what it is because they've never seen on, never seen an ad for one, and didn't know Subaru made anything but the WRX, the Forester and the Outback.
unclemat @ Jun 10th 2008 6:46PM
Framed windows are so yesterday. If you want framed buy Toyota or Honda appliance.
Frameless windows a joke? To me framed windows are joke. Frameless windows give the car character and it's a trait of sporty cars, not quirky (where this BS about Subarus being quirky comes from?). Not to mention I rather not get hit by framed doors when I need to get in/out the car in tight spots.
Framed windows suck and it's a big mistake on Subaru part to ditch them. I won't buy another Legacy if it comes with framed windows.
Benfolio @ Jun 10th 2008 6:46PM
Well, that and the boxer engine.
Have they finally fixed the cupholders?
:)
mk @ Jun 10th 2008 9:48PM
The cup holders work great. I use them almost every day.
Framed windows, for the reasons mentioned above, are a symbolic deal-breaker for me. That, along with the Exiga's styling direction and it's suggestion toward the '10 Legacy redesign, which will likely have framed windows, will likely push me to get an '09 to replace my '05, rather than going to the newer bodystyle.
I looked so hard and traveled so far for my 300hp stage 2 Legacy, with a 5-speed manual, painted a fantastic color of Garnet Red Pearl, with black leather interior... It is going to take a very specific and special Legacy to replace it. Short of a Porsche, there isn't another car on the market that I would be eager to trade it in for.
Maybe the forthcoming red paint availability on the '09 Spec B will be that, although the new Ruby red isn't nearly as nice in pictures as Garnet was. Any red is better than being limited to grays only, as the 06-08 Spec Bs have been, and the cancellation of Garnet Red altogether on the whole legacy line.
The one thing that would make up for all of it, would be to offer the "Tuned by STI" Legacy in World Rally Blue Pearl, which North America has never gotten, but Japan, Australia, and a couple of other markets have on various yearly special edition models.
Subaru of America has the tendency to flirt with true potential, only to retreat from it before it can be realized. The 05 Legacy was fantastic, and has regressed in terms of colors, options, and body styles since.
unclemat @ Jun 10th 2008 6:46PM
Also - frameless windows are a safety feature:
- doors are less likely to get stuck in an accident
- more metal can be put into frame where it actually does something
Subaru has used frameless windows for exactly these reasons. It's been those whining mobile appliance operators like Benfolio who made them switch.
Benfolio @ Jun 10th 2008 6:54PM
Don't get me wrong, I love my LGT. But I can see why "normal" people don't buy them.
As is with ANY specific marketed car, it's not going to sell well, the company won't make money, and they will change what few people love to please the majority.
Besides, I own/owned two of the best frameless window cars ever.
My '95 Neon and my current '97 Legacy 2.5GT.
Besides the fact that they always get fingerprints on them, are a PITA to adjust if you get wind noise, and are not all that theft deterrant, I could care less if my car had them or not.
But the majority of NORMAL car buyers will.
Just sayin'.
unclemat @ Jun 10th 2008 7:04PM
Majority of car buyers buy mobile appliances as Toyota and Honda and other boring cars. Subaru is not gonna become of them and if they try to go after the market they are foolish.
And as a Subaru owner you would do better for the brand by not repeating this "quirky" BS invented by press in 80s that still lingers. These cars are not quirky, but ingeniously designed, with excellent engine design and other features that set them apart and ABOVE the sea of boring mobile appliances.