Subaru legacy Concept for LA Motor Show.

• Sedan concept indicates future design direction of next-generation Legacy
• Legacy enters its 25th year of production in 2014

The Subaru Legacy Concept will make its world premiere at the 2013 Los Angeles Motor Show on Wednesday 20 November, hinting at the design direction for an all-new version of Subaru’s flagship Legacy model.

Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2014 and currently in its fifth generation, the production Legacy has been praised the world over for its safety, dependability and driving performance, delivered by Subaru’s hallmark Boxer engines and Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system.

The design of the new Legacy Concept develops the model’s image as a dynamic, secure and practical saloon car. Its dynamic front-end features the distinctive hexagonal grille first seen on the Subaru Viziv Concept vehicle at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show.

While maintaining a comfortable and practical interior, the Legacy Concept also features a sleek side profile and coupe-like roof.  Large wheels and bold wheel arches lend the car an air of stability, entirely appropriate for a car equipped with Subaru’s sure-footed All-Wheel Drive system.

The Legacy Concept’s interior is one of the most high-tech ever seen in a Subaru model, with a smartphone-style centre console and instrument panel that extends from the front to the rear of the cabin. With ample seating for four passengers and a sporty, driver-focused cockpit layout, the interior has a dynamic and solid design, with brown leather upholstery and blue accents throughout.

The concept also features the latest version of Subaru’s advanced driver assist system, ‘EyeSight’, which monitors the road ahead and recognises potentially dangerous driving situations.

There is no information yet on timings for any new production model or whether the next-generation Legacy will be coming to the UK.

USA - Subaru smashed 2012 full year sales with two months to go

• October sales increased 32 percent over last October
• Year-to-date sales are 347,890, up 28 percent over 2012

Subaru of America, Inc. reported that the company has surpassed its previous annual sales record with two months of reporting remaining for the year. Subaru sold 34,483 vehicles in October and 347,890 total vehicles in 2013. The previous record for annual sales was set in 2012 with 336,441 vehicles sold. This new record means that 2013 will be the fifth consecutive year of sales records for Subaru of America and the sixth consecutive year of sales increases. Subaru is the only manufacturer to increase sales each year for the last six years.

October sales for Forester increased 137 percent, reaching 12,581 vehicles sold. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) named the 2014 Forester a 2013 IIHS Top Safety Pick+. Forester was also named Motor Trend 2014 Sport/Utility Vehicle of the Year – a second win for Forester and a third win for the Subaru brand.

“We have incredibly hardworking retailers who have made these results possible; and we have the right product for consumers,” said Thomas J. Doll, president and chief operating officer, Subaru of America, Inc. “2013 will be another very successful year for Subaru and we look forward to sales of the XV Crosstrek Hybrid – Subaru’s first-ever hybrid vehicle – in December.”

“We have seen record numbers of consumers shopping the Subaru brand and we have seen wonderful acceptance across our line-up. Consumers are not just shopping a single model – there has been demand for Outback, Forester, XV Crosstrek, Impreza as well as our performance models WRX and STI,” said Bill Cyphers, senior vice president of sales, Subaru of America, Inc. “Almost 60 percent of our sales this year have been to customers new to the brand and we have worked closely with our parent company to smartly manage our inventory to meet the demand,” added Cyphers.