The Legacy 2.5GT spec.B Was Subaru's Grown-Up Alternative to the STI

From Road & Track

Back in 2006, Subaru tried something a little crazy. It took its attractive-but-understated Legacy sedan and turned it into a full-on sports machine called the 2.5GT spec.B. The spec.B didn't get a power bump over the 2.5GT's 250 horses, but it did receive a sportier suspension and a Torsen limited-slip differential. The next year, Subaru swapped the five-speed manual for a six-speed, making the spec.B even more compelling.

But it's equally important to note what Subaru didn't do to the spec.B. Despite borrowing heavily from the WRX STI, the spec.B didn't get an STI-style massive wing or an ultra-aggressive body kit. The result was one of the best sleepers of the mid-2000s.

For drivers who wanted an STI but didn't want the flashy image, the 2.5GT spec.B was a perfect choice. It was also a sports sedan that could be taken seriously by enthusiasts who were turned off by the STI's tuner reputation. Or, as Regular Car Reviews puts it in the video below, it had "all the go and none of the bro."

You Might Also Like

• 10 Things to Know About Ford and GM's 10-Speed Automatic

• Ten Discontinued Cars That Need to Make a Comeback

• The 12 Basic Items Every Off-Roader Should Have