TOKYO: Subaru has stirred the emotion of its fans by reviving the Blitzen theme for its latest concept, on display at the Tokyo Auto Salon.
Under the skin is a sixth (current) generation Subaru Legacy (Liberty) B4, powered by the regular model’s 2.5 litre boxer four-cylinder engine.
The Blitzen name was last seen in various markets on the fourth-generation Legacy, having skipped the last generation to appear again on this sixth-gen model as a concept.
To match the badge’s hype, Subaru has added carbon-fibre inserts, a more aggressive grille, 19-inch alloys with Bridgestone Potenza tyres and a “Premium Red” paint finish.
Both front and rear bumpers have been revised from the road-going model, while a ‘ribbon’ rear wing, side-skirts and gloss black exterior highlights have also been added.
The gloss black theme continues on the inside, which also sports aluminium pedals along with sand-coloured leather on the seats, door inserts, gear knob and steering wheel.
While this particular Blitzen is a concept for now, rumours of a production version for the Japanese market have already begun.
Australian Subaru customers have also been offered the Liberty Blitzen as a limited-edition model in the past, so a return for Japan could spell a return for the local market in some way as well.
Otherwise, local Subaru fans can consider the rest of the sixth-generation Liberty range, which launched in Australia last month.
