First diesel Subaru revealed

Subaru has begun to release details of its Legacy Sports Tourer and Outback crossover mid-sized estates.

On sale from February this year, the new models are the first boxer diesel-engined passenger cars and, according to a statement from Subaru they offer "outstanding refinement, throttle response and fuel economy coupled with ultra-low emissions and exceptional handling thanks to the light weight and low centre-of-gravity of its horizontally-opposed powerplant".

"The significance of this outstanding new Boxer diesel engine to both sales opportunities and our dealer network cannot be underestimated," said Subaru managing director, Lawrence Good.

"With a UK diesel market share now running at 40 per cent this is the answer to many loyal and potential customers' future motoring needs."

The cars are the most efficient in the 4WD passenger car class, even beating all main two-litre two-wheel drive rivals including the new Ford Mondeo TD and VW Passat.

Priced from £19,995 on-the-road, the Legacy Sports Tourer is capable of 126 mph at top speed and zero to 60mph in 8.5 seconds.

The basic package also includes HID headlamps with pop-out washers, electrically-folding door mirrors, front projector foglamps, CD player with MP3 facility, dual-zone climate control with rear outlets and cruise control.