Sam Hardy hails the new diesel from 4x4 expert Subaru

Few motor manufacturers are as stubborn as Subaru. These days, even car company bosses wake in the middle of the
night fretting about the environment, but the Japanese firm has continued to plough its own furrow with a range that consists,
mostly, of thirsty, four-wheel-drive models. Until now. Subaru has finally launched its first diesel engine and, in typically idiosyncratic
fashion, it's not just any diesel. Beneath the hood of the unassuming Legacy Sport Tourer lies the world's first flat-four,
horizontally-opposed "boxer" diesel.

Oil burner: the new Legacy introduces Subaru's first diesel, a flat-four 'boxer' engine

It's been a long time coming. Development was rumoured to have started nine years ago, and the fact that it's here at all is
testament to how hard European bosses have been screaming for it (Subaru's main markets, Japan and the US, don't like oil burners).
So how important is the new engine to Subaru sales in Europe? It will account for 85 per cent of Legacy sales and 95 per cent of
Outback sales.

But is it any good?

Subaru's engineers have developed the boxer diesel from scratch, instilling 40 years of experience in flat-four engines and
turbocharging, much of it gleaned from the world's rally stages. The results, as you might expect, are encouraging.
The 2.0-litre diesel is even more compact than the gasoline unit, with equal length bore and stroke but an even shorter
crankshaft to limit vibrations. A variable vane turbocharger, mounted beneath the engine to lower the centre of gravity, is plugged
directly into the catalytic converters to get them up to temperature as fast as possible. What's more, thanks to a liberal use of
aluminum, the diesel weighs only as much as the petrol model and shares the same service intervals.

Although there's a little rattle at start-up, the engine quickly settles to a smooth, quiet idle. There's a diesel tinkle under acceleration,
too, but at most throttle openings it sounds like a slightly coarse petrol unit. BMW and Ford won't be too worried, but the newcomer
does impress.

Press harder and there's a hint of an offbeat flat-four warble beneath the whoosh of the turbo.
It's powerful (148bhp at 3,600rpm) but more impressive still is the torque, 253lbft from just 1,800rpm.
Delivery is smooth and seamless and the engine revs willingly to its 4,500rpm red line.
The 0-60mph dash takes 8.5sec and there's ample urge for safe overtaking. It's even better on autoroutes,
where the engine is almost silent; Subaru claims the Legacy diesel cruises more quietly than a Rolls-Royce Phantom.

If there is a weakness, it's the gearbox, which is notchy and has five long-legged ratios that dull the response.
A six-speeder (from the Forester and Impreza) is due in about 18 months and should make more of the engine's flexibility.
On the other hand, the tall gearing enhances the car's frugality: running costs have always been Subaru's Achilles' heel,
but the new diesel returns almost 50mpg on the EU Combined cycle, with CO2 emissions of 151g/km, which will appeal to
company car drivers.

The rest of the Legacy experience is business as usual. The only real change is a new electronic power-steering system rather
than the hydraulic set-up on gasoline models; although light and lacking in feel, it's accurate and linear in response.
The 4x4 system provides great stability and traction, and despite plenty of body roll, it is fun on twisting roads.
The brakes are powerful and it's comfortable, too.

Interior space is only average and the quality of the plastics could be better, but you can't argue with the equipment list or the price.
Starting at C$38,000 for the Sports Tourer 2.0TD R, you get xenon headlights, electric seats, climate and cruise controls,
plus leather trim and an electric sunroof on the RE.

But the new engine deserves all the fuss on this occasion. It increases the appeal of the Subaru range and proves that, sometimes,
stubbornness can pay.

Engine/transmission: 1,998cc flat-four-cylinder turbodiesel with 16 valves; 148bhp at 3,600rpm and 258lb ft of torque at 1,800rpm. Five-speed manual gearbox, four-wheel drive.

Performance: top speed 126mph, 0-60mph in 8.5sec, EU Combined fuel consumption 49.6mpg, CO2 emissions 151g/km.

We like: That it exists at all. Punchy power, cruising refinement, excellent
economy and emissions, fine handling and generous equipment.

We don't like: No six-speed option (yet), cabin space and quality don't match
German prestige standards.