Performance Review: Subaru Legacy 3.0 R Spec B - [2005]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Subaru Legacy Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Subaru Legacy 3.0 R Spec B is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2005. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2006 Caparo T1 2.4 V8 and the 2005 Bugatti Veyron 8.0 litre W16.This particular Subaru Legacy has a 3000cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a F formation.

Alternative Petrol F6's includes the 2017 Porsche 911 GT2 RS

The Legacy shares its Petrol F6 engine configuration with the likes of the 2017 Porsche 911 GT2 RS and the 2016 Porsche 911 Turbo S 991 II. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Legacy's All Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the or the .

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1515 kgs (3340 lbs) this makes the Subaru Legacy 3.0 R Spec B in the same weight category as the 2022 Ferrari 296 GTS 3.0 V6 Twin Turbo Hybrid or the give or take 50kg.

The Subaru Legacy shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)

In terms of power the 3000cc 24V F6 engine produces 241 bhp (179 kW) @ 6600 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD (266 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated F6 throws out 219 lb-ft (296.9 Nm) @ 4200 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (236 lb-ft) or the 2020 McLaren Sabre 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (206 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Subaru Legacy you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1970 Oldsmobile Toronado 7.4 V8 (184.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Subaru Legacy.

The Subaru Legacy has a Power to weight ratio of 159.0 bhp per ton and 144.5 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2005 Legacy competing with the 1970 Oldsmobile Toronado 7.4 V8 (184.0 bhp per ton) or the 1952 Alfa-Romeo Disco Volante 1900 Touring Spider (184.0 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Subaru Legacy generating around 144.5 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2005 Ford Focus 2.5 ST-2 (169.5 lb-ft per ton) or the 2012 Audi A4 RS4 Avant 4.2L V8 (169.5 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.50 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.7 secs, this made the Subaru Legacy 3.0 R Spec B as fast as the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs) the 2018 Abarth 595 Competizione 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs) the 2016 Subaru Legacy 3.6 R (6.50 secs) the or the 2016 Abarth 124 Spider 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs). This Subaru Legacy 3.0 R Spec B is also faster than the 2018 Toyota Sequoia TRD Sport 5.7 V8 (6.60 secs) the 2016 Audi A3 2.0 TDI S-tronic Quattro Sportback (6.60 secs) the 2014 Audi A1 1.8 TFSI S-TRONIC (6.60 secs) the and the 2013 Peugeot 208 GTi 1.6 Turbo (6.60 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Legacy and the 2017 BMW 5 Series 540d xDrive G30

When talking about the performance of the Subaru Legacy on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.53 secs @ 94.2 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2017 BMW 5 Series 540d xDrive G30 (14.46 secs), the 2006 BMW 3 Series 335i M-Sport 2d E90 (14.47 secs), and the 1993 BMW 3 Series M3 E36 (14.47 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2005 version of the Subaru Legacy 3.0 R Spec B has a maximum speed of 151mph.

Top Speed of the 2005 Legacy equals the 2022 Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato (162 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2005 Subaru Legacy 3.0 R Spec B then how about the 2022 Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato (162 mph), the 2021 Porsche Taycan Turbo (162 mph), or the 2019 Porsche Taycan Turbo S (162 mph).

Related Links:

2005 Legacy Rivals List.

A Brief History of Subaru

Car Comparison