viriix wrote:wow.. you learn something new everyday! lol.. that's absolutely awesome!
Really
- thats brilllaint!
(thanks himself for sticking to getting a Spec B - woo hoo)
Article below:
When the sensible cap fits
Backwards-cap wearers covet the Subaru WRX. The Liberty GT appeals to those who are old enough - and smart enough - to turn the peak around the right way.
Subaru's 2007 GT doesn't look radically different from its 2003 predecessor but the upgrade is substantial.
The GT five-speed automatic sedan costs $54,490. The GT Spec B six-speed manual sedan (tested here) is $55,990; no extra for the five-speed auto. The wagon adds $2000.
The 2.5-litre turbocharged engine from the WRX is fitted to both models. It produces 184kW of power at 6000rpm and 339Nm of torque at 3600rpm.
It will now run on 95 octane premium fuel; the previous model's 180kW 2.0-litre turbo GT required 98 octane.
A push-button control - called Subaru Intelligent, or SI Drive - allows the driver to dial up two distinct performance or economy modes.
In economy (or Intelligent) mode it cuts engine power and torque by about 20 per cent, to 148kW and 275Nm, which Subaru says can reduce fuel consumption by 10-20 per cent. In the auto, it also adjusts the shift timing.
Sport mode (the default) delivers full power. Sports Sharp mode, also available by flicking a paddle on the steering wheel, enables a more responsive accelerator-engine connection and a late upshift setting for the automatic transmission.
The Liberty's body has been strengthened for 2007. At just over 1.5 tonnes, the GT is still relatively light, particularly for an all-wheel-drive sedan.
The Spec B has stronger front and rear differentials, the latter a limited-slip Torsen unit. Drive is split 50-50 via a viscous centre differential.
As before, the GT automatic has softer suspension and 17-inch wheels while the GT Spec B uses Bilstein spring dampers, firmer springs and 18-inch alloy wheels.
In economy mode the GT trundles through the traffic like your average 1.8- or 2.0-litre shopping trolley, with acceptable tractability at low revs.
Sport and Sports Sharp put the 2.5 to sleep below 2500rpm but from here it swings into action with a smooth, punchy, elastic delivery that kicks at 3500rpm, from where it lets rip to 7000rpm, accompanied by that gravel-in-a-blender note unique to Subaru's horizontally opposed engines.
Subaru still can't do a flick and snick manual gearbox. If you're not in a hurry, the lever action is acceptable - but when changing gears quickly and often it's still imprecise and notchy, with excessive resistance at each gate. The occasionally abrupt clutch dislikes punishment.
A low centre of gravity, fine balance and the relentless grip of all-wheel-drive (complemented by the Bridgestone tyres) gives the GT Spec B a real bonded-to-the-bitumen feel. The Bilstein dampers deliver impeccable control over body movement, particularly at the front end, which helps resist understeer. Steering is light and scalpel sharp, albeit with little feedback on initial turn-in. The brakes are powerful, though a touch wooden on light applications.
Ride in the Spec B is hard but not harsh. Big hits are absorbed before they give the body a smack. The base GT is considerably more compliant.
A compact, cockpit-style dash has a formal, conservative character, reflecting the hammer in a suit nature of the car. Unlike that of some other Japanese brands, Subaru leather feels and smells like the real stuff. Fit and finish quality inside is excellent.
The GT includes front, side and curtain airbags, stability control (not in the Spec B), power adjustable driver's seat with two memories, 14-speaker McIntosh sound with an in-dash six-stack CD player, leather upholstery, DataDot security, self-levelling bi-xenon headlights, sunroof and dual-zone automatic air-conditioning.
Clear instruments, permanently lit, include a needlessly complex display for the SI Drive system status and an equally pointless fuel economy gauge. The steering wheel has trip computer, audio and cruise control buttons.
Sound quality from the MacIntosh system is great. There's also plenty of storage handy to the driver for bits and pieces.
The GT's driver's seat cushion is rather hard and narrow and, after a couple of hours, was getting a bit punishing on the Drive derriere. Seat travel is also still limited, so drivers over 180cm may be cramped for legroom, though at least the wheel is now reach-adjustable.
Rear seat space is reasonable (in part due to the front seat's limited travel), though adults sit slightly knees-up, the backrest is steeply angled, and footroom under the front seats is tight. Boot space is adequate and loading is easy through a wide opening; a porthole allows you to carry long objects. Full-sized spares on alloy wheels are standard in all models.
Libertys are not without occasional problems. We've had test cars suffer electrical gremlins, including one that called it quits at the new model's launch.
Subaru advises that engine oil needs to be checked regularly and even supplies a bottle of Castrol 5W30 synthetic oil in the boot, along with plastic gloves, disposable funnels and dipstick wipes.
In the day-to-day grind of city traffic, the SI-drive system is a clever and effective way to minimise the hip pocket pain of an expensive high-performance turbo thirst.
When let off the leash, the GT Spec B is a light, tight and rapid sports sedan of the highest calibre, good enough to take on, and in some cases beat, European equivalents that cost twice as much or more.
Point-to-point, on a road where handling counts, we'd back it each way against an Audi Quattro or BMW 3 Series any day.
Posted: Mon May 14, 2007 3:06 am
