Why call it a GT and not the B4?

[Tide]

I'd like to think that Subaru is saving the B4 moniker for a more potent version of the Legacy for the US market. If they have no plans for a B4 named Legacy over here, why not use "B4" than the bland and generic "GT"?

[AMT4SWA]

I do not know about that...think about it, you tell some one that you have a "B4", and they say to you, "Before what?". GT is a bit generic though and over used (Ford GT (40), Mustang GT, Mitsu 3000 GT, Grand Am GT, etc). Subaru could have come up with a totally new name for this car and that might have been a good idea...but "Legacy" is just fine for me, well Legacy STI would be even better. :)

[Tide]

In the land of alphanumeric car names, M3, S4, S40R, STi, ect all stand out. Those who know cars would know and fear the B4.....

Yes GT is very American and very generic. Im fine with Legacy, Legacy B4 would just be more cache IMHO.

[team23jordan]

i think 'Spec B' sounds best to me

[EJ20H-TT]

I think it's offical name JDM anyway is B4 GT

[SUBE555]

B4 was the name given to Sedan models in Japan between 1998 and 2002 (maybe 2003 with the B4 RSK S-Edition.)

The turbo models in that timeframe were noted as RSK models (Ralli Sport Kompressor.)

It appears they are globally attempting to make the GT name universal for the turbo models (2.0GT, 2.5GT), the 3.0R model as 3L H6 models, the 2.5i as base engine models. It is seamless between Outback and Legacy models released thus far.

The Legacy Sedans turbo models previous to the BE (BD and BC) or 1997 and prior were noted as RS or Ralli Sport.

The Wagons were however called GT with GTB models using Bilstein suspension components being the 'B' addition. They were and still are noted as GT for Grand Touring Wagons.

Hope that helps.

BTW, I know some people think the name GT is redundant, however I think it is finally given the respect it is desirved. GT stands for Grand Touring. The name is finally recieving a just spec list.

[EJ20H-TT]

Still seem to be using the B4 name

Try this in Japanese but nice pics

http://www.subaru.co.jp/legacy/bt/index_f.html

or

http://www.subaru.co.jp/legacy/b4/index.html

[SUBE555]

That's correct, they still do use the B4 for sedan models.

[PPower]

The point is that B4 doesn't mean GT. B4 means sedan version of the Legacy and nothing more. If you look at the wagons, B4 is not used anywhere. Yet it is used for the 2.0i through the 3.0R for the sedan.

Subaru seems to be making plans or at least leaving the option open to change every model to alphanumeric in the future since they have registered names of B1 though B12 (I believe all of those numbers). If that is done, B4 would presumably be the Legacy line.

I wish that they would go with a more consistent naming system across the board as I've written on Nasioc. GT used to be the turbo version of all of the different models. As fast as the Forester turbo is, it is a GT. The Impreza turbo used to be GT until the GD everywhere except Japan. Maybe the Impreza could break the rule as WRX as long as the Impreza is the WRC car. If the WRC car becomes some other model, the Impreza turbo could then go back to GT name. I just think it stinks that there is a different "code" for each model line.

[EJ20H-TT]

Yes I argee on the naming thing for legacies sedans it's been a bit eratic.

1st Gen was RS or GT
2nd Gen was RS,RSB or GT
3rd Gen was RSK
4th Gen we are back with just GT

[gtguy]

I wonder also if marketing doesn't have something to do with it. The USDM really seems to like improved products, and Subaru can point to an all-new, vastly improved Legacy GT (the first USDM Legacy GT with performance to match its nomenclature), and people understand what they're talking about.

When you compare new GT to old GT, it's easy to see what Subaru has done. It also keeps people from asking "You have this B4 thing, but what about the GT...do you still have that?" :D

Kevin

[PPower]

My guess that the first US vehicle to adopt any B__ name will be the 7 passenger when it comes with the completely new look. That will be an appropriate time to start the new naming process just like when Acura dropped the Legend and Integra and went to letter names. They happened during complete redesigns, and an entirely new car to the lineup is a perfect time to implement the change. My only beef is that the B__ names are too close to Audi names especially if a B4 and an A4 are about the same size. Then is the STi version called an S4? :lol:

[gtmy04]

I'd like to think that Subaru is saving the B4 moniker for a more potent version of the Legacy for the US market. If they have no plans for a B4 named Legacy over here, why not use "B4" than the bland and generic "GT"?

It's all a bit academic (on the Australian i.e. Liberty version anyway) - the only exterior badge says "Liberty" - the word Subaru isn't even mentioned other than on the centre of the wheels.

[SUBE555]

Yes I argee on the naming thing for legacies sedans it's been a bit eratic.

1st Gen was RS or GT
2nd Gen was RS,RSB or GT
3rd Gen was RSK
4th Gen we are back with just GT

Sticking with the B4 naming and sedan models:

IIRC

BC was RS
BD was RS (RSB was with Bilstein suspension)
BE was RSK
BL is GT

Some countries have varied a little bit though.

[EJ20H-TT]

Yes I argee on the naming thing for legacies sedans it's been a bit eratic.

1st Gen was RS or GT
2nd Gen was RS,RSB or GT
3rd Gen was RSK
4th Gen we are back with just GT

Sticking with the B4 naming and sedan models:

IIRC

BC was RS
BD was RS (RSB was with Bilstein suspension)
BE was RSK
BL is GT

Some countries have varied a little bit though.


The BC & BD Sedans did have GT models as well.

[PPower]

Yes I argee on the naming thing for legacies sedans it's been a bit eratic.

1st Gen was RS or GT
2nd Gen was RS,RSB or GT
3rd Gen was RSK
4th Gen we are back with just GT

Sticking with the B4 naming and sedan models:

IIRC

BC was RS
BD was RS (RSB was with Bilstein suspension)
BE was RSK
BL is GT

Some countries have varied a little bit though.


The BC & BD Sedans did have GT models as well.

What SUBE is saying is that those were the names for the B4 which, again, is the SEDAN. The GT models were for the wagon for "Grand Touring" wagon. Your initial comment made it seem like sedans were also "GT" during the 1st and 2nd generation.

[EJ20H-TT]

Yes that right some sedans 1st & 2nd gen sedan were GT's

[EJ20H-TT]

The GT's from the 1st and 2nd Gen were mostly Wagons.

But there was a few Sedans made. I happen to drive one.

http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~1amiga/AA_0_025.jpg

http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~1amiga/AA_0_002.jpg

[Dr. Zevil]

Personally I would have prefered the designation B4. BTW, that is a great car you got there! That thing must go like mad.

I do think that the GT designation is kinda "generic" feeling but to tell you the truth they could call it Sally and I would still drive one :D

[PPower]

OK, my bad. Can you pass some pepper for my foot? It already has enough salt.

While we're getting an edumacation, was the GT used in only certain countries? Was it any different from the RS? Where I find this interesting is that the Impreza turbo has always been a GT outside of Japan as far as I know. I am big on organization and order and would be happy to see the consistent naming across the board.

[PPower]

Dr. Zevil, in case you missed it, B4 is synonymous with "Legacy sedan" and has nothing to do with the trim level (i, R, GT, RSK, RS, whatever). I feel like a broken record.

[Dr. Zevil]

Dr. Zevil, in case you missed it, B4 is synonymous with "Legacy sedan" and has nothing to do with the trim level (i, R, GT, RSK, RS, whatever). I feel like a broken record.

No, I gotcha.. I knew that. I honestly don't even like the name "legacy." B4 sounds mega badass and kewl. :lol:

I would have taken B4 - GT. Sounds like a frickin' bond car or something.


"Q, ready the B4-GT." See what I mean :D:D 8)

[PPower]

B4 is synonymous with "Legacy sedan" and has nothing to do with the trim level (i, R, GT, RSK, RS, whatever). I feel like a broken record.























:lol: :lol:

[Dr. Zevil]

Screw you guys.. I'm goin' home.

[EJ20H-TT]

Personally I would have prefered the designation B4. BTW, that is a great car you got there! That thing must go like mad.

I do think that the GT designation is kinda "generic" feeling but to tell you the truth they could call it Sally and I would still drive one :D

Thx - It goes quite well :D

I actually think GT describes the Legacy quite well.

B4 RSK ~ Boxer 4WD Rally Sport Kompressor , I always thought sounded cooler though.

[EJ20H-TT]

OK, my bad. Can you pass some pepper for my foot? It already has enough salt.

While we're getting an edumacation, was the GT used in only certain countries? Was it any different from the RS? Where I find this interesting is that the Impreza turbo has always been a GT outside of Japan as far as I know. I am big on organization and order and would be happy to see the consistent naming across the board.

No worries mate.

8/10 Legacies made in Japan have been wagons so the Sedans are quite rare. As far as I know the BC/BD Legacy GT Sedan was JDM only - with some exported second hand to NZ, Australia and possibly UK.

Apart from trim the RS had a slightly larger primary turbo and 80% were made as manuals, while most GT were Auto's

In Aussie/NZ the Turbo Impreza was always a WRX for the last 10 years with the WRX Sti a few years after that.

[EJ20H-TT]

Dr. Zevil, in case you missed it, B4 is synonymous with "Legacy sedan" and has nothing to do with the trim level (i, R, GT, RSK, RS, whatever). I feel like a broken record.

Well thats only true from the 3rd gen onwards.

[PPower]

In Aussie/NZ the Turbo Impreza was always a WRX for the last 10 years with the WRX Sti a few years after that.

Really? I could have sworn that Australia's Impreza turbo was called GT as well. I thought that I had seen it as that on their website when I would look it up pre-2001. I know that Europe and Latin America was called GT. I don't know if Europe ever got Legacy turbos, but there are none in Latin America that I've been able to find to even make a comparison of that.

[EJ20H-TT]

Think europe got the first gen turbo model.

[EJ20H-TT]

Aussie WRX History

(note Aussie slang REX = WRX, instead if saying W-R-X they say REX)

Just about everyone into hi-po modern cars (in Australia at least) has heard about the Subaru Impreza WRX. The small/medium sized turbo flier was built to contend the World Rally Championship and earn Subaru a new image for vehicular performance worldwide - and both ambitions have been 100% satisfied. So much so that Subaru now finds itself struggling to keep up with the consumer demand for Rexes!

The first model WRX (MY94-96) burst onto the scene winning just about every rally accolade known to mankind, and it was the 'Rally on Sunday, sell on Monday' theory that was meant to make the Rex hot property. Contemporary road tests were also extremely glowing, with many stating the little WRX as the performance buy of the decade. However, WRX sales were slow to begin with, really only hotting-up when ram-raiders took to stealing the Rex and then escaping the cops with ease. Some dealers even used newspaper extracts of these exploits in their ads!

[PPower]

Aussie WRX History

(note Aussie slang REX = WRX, instead if saying W-R-X they say REX)


duh, why didn't I make the connection. OK, so all the right handers were WRX, and basically the left handers were GT.

[EJ20H-TT]

As said before Subaru and names is a bit of a jumble.

[username]

http://img36.ac.yahoo.co.jp/users/6/2/9/5/pikushee-img600x450-1046847008p3050017.jpg

http://img36.ac.yahoo.co.jp/users/6/2/9/5/pikushee-img600x450-1046847014p3050018.jpg

[team23jordan]

^those are buttugly
anyways my dog's name was Rex...
RIP :roll:

[PPower]

^those are buttugly
anyways my dog's name was Rex...
RIP :roll:

:lol: :huh: I don't think you meant to use the eyeroll for that one, or was he not a good dog?