SOME years ago Subaru marketed an estate named Legacy which became a highly rated choice among those who loved the throaty Boxer engine of this vehicle and wanted masses of space.

But the Legacy came to an end in 2008 and many thought there would be no future replacement. But then the Levorg burst on to the scene.

The Levorg is Subaru's take on the modern sport tourer market and it does not take the sport part of tourer lightly.

Because being a Subaru its heart is a horizontally opposed (Boxer) direct injection turbocharged petrol engine which brings a touch of the old glory days of Subaru's rally prowess to everyday driving.

Start it up and you know you are in for a treat because is has a beat like a fighter plane.

On the road it is very sprightly with a 0-62mph sprint of 8.9 seconds and has to capability to go on to 130mph.

Boxer engines have a reputation of being thirsty but Subaru has engineered in features to make their engine a little more acceptable on the economy front with a combined figure of 39.8mpg.

It is available in a single trim level called GT, with generous levels of standard equipment, including Subaru's iconic All-Wheel Drive drivetrain.

Subaru engineers and designers have made every effort to ensure that Levorgg offers one of the company's most refined cabins created, with a greater use of high quality materials.

Leather-trimmed sports seats with unique to Levorg blue stitching will come as standard, as will Subaru's new factory-fit 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment, connectivity and navigation system. Leather trim is used generously within the cabin, including the door trims, on the centre console and on top of the multi-function display on the dashboard.

While the Levorg benefits from smaller exterior dimensions than the fourth-generation Legacy Tourer, the new sport tourer offers buyers greater practicality.

Not only do occupants enjoy greater leg, head- and shoulder-room than in the last Legacy Tourer, but the capacious 522-litre boot - rising to 1,446 litres with the second row of seats folded down - provides ample room for anything from sports equipment and bicycles to luggage and pets.

The engine, now in 1,600cc form is linked to Subaru's super-smooth Lineartronic (CVT) transmission.

The model boasts a higher proportion of ultra-high tensile steel than other models in the Subaru range, with 50% of the body made up of strong, yet light steel alloys for the greatest possible crash safety performance.

The Levorg is equipped as standard with the new ‘Subaru Rear Vehicle Detection' system (SRVD), which alerts drivers to vehicles which are crossing behind. A comprehensive safety package, SRVD combines three technologies: Blind Spot Detection, which alerts drivers to cars sitting in their blind spot; Lane Change Assist, which warns drivers of fast-approaching vehicles behind when the driver indicates to change lane; and Rear Cross Traffic Alert, which detects vehicles passing behind when reversing out of a parking space.

The Levorg also features SI Drive (Subaru Intelligent Drive) which allows the driver, via a switch on the steering wheel to chose between two modes according to their mood or the driving environment - Intelligent mode and Sport mode.