While Subaru are only the world’s 22ND largest manufacturer of automobiles they are part of an impressive industrial and transport conglomerate; namely Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI) which, in turn are 16.5% owned by the Toyota Motor Corporation. Their logo, showing six stars out of seven, represents the star cluster M45 (i.e. the Pleiades or “Seven Sisters”). Only six stars are shown since legend has it that one of the Sisters was invisible – additionally, there were six companies that merged to become FHI.
Production Facility In The United States
Since 1988, their Legacy and some other models for the American market have been assembled at a plant in plant in Lafayette, Indiana (which has also assembled the Toyota Camry). Originally this plant was in joint venture with Isuzu; but, they pulled out in 2002. The Indiana plant has the distinction of being the first automobile assembly plant in the US to be designated as a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. This was granted once they had achieved production without generating any landfill waste.
The Legacy’s Engine And Transmission
All variations use an unusual type of engine – known as the “boxer engine” and come with all wheel drive transmission as standard (in the USA). The boxer engine comprises four reciprocating pistons positioned horizontally with two of them on each side of a central crankshaft. This configuration makes for an extremely well balanced and smoother running engine that requires less space than traditional in line vertical or V mounted configurations. Four cylinder boxer engines may also be referred to as “flat four” or “horizontally opposed-four” engines. However, they can be more expensive to build than the more traditional engines; but, this is offset by the ease in which the boxer configuration can be hooked up to an all wheel drive transmission system.
Advanced Safety Features
Current models utilize continuously variable transmission (CVT) and an active safety system known as “EyeSight”. With the safety system engaged; the car monitors the road through windshield mounted cameras so that it can automatically react to driving conditions and take action to avoid collisions.
In addition, an Adaptive Cruise Control function can judge the relative speed of vehicles ahead and automatically adjust your car’s speed. These features also operate in conjunction with Pre-Collision Braking and Lane Departure warnings and Lane Keeping systems.
If you live near the Windy City and any of these features appeal to you; why not check out Hawk Subaru in Joliet and ask to test drive a New Subaru Legacy In Chicago?
