Many readers may remember the days when the station wagon was the king of the road in the United States. There really was no better way to ferry your family — along with the large amount of stuff that comes with them — around the country’s roadways. Typically, American wagons were often based on sedans with an extra bit tacked on to the back. In many cases, there was a third row of seats that owners could fold into the floor for extra cargo room.
1996 Buick Roadmaster Estate wagon finishe din blue with blue interiorBring A Trailer
Wagons from Europe and Japan were generally smaller and more sporty than a massive Buick Roadmaster Estate. For example, take the Subaru Legacy B4 Blitzen wagon. It was never for sale in the US, and it’s a lot more exciting to drive than the aforementioned Buick. Now, this aggressive Subaru is old enough that fans can import one into the country.
Family-Friendly Power, Courtesy Of Japan
2000 Subaru Legacy B4 Blitzen wagon finished in red with black interiorClassicCars.com
Subaru Legacy B4 Blitzen Key Points
- Introduced in 2000
- Only sold in Japan
- Featured numerous Porsche Design-bred styling upgrades
- Boasts twin turbocharging
- Axed following the 2003 model year
Eleven years before the B4 Blitzen wagon hit the market, the Subaru Legacy launched in Japan. At the time, the company was looking to revamp its entire brand image because the world often saw Subaru as Honda and Toyota’s quirky, baby brother. Subaru had the all-wheel drive advantage, but folks just didn’t seem to take its models seriously. The automaker’s top brass recognized this issue and wanted to rectify it as soon as possible.
The answer lay in an all-new sedan, something that Subaru could throw into direct competition with the Toyota Camry and the Honda Accord. Work on the as-yet-unnamed Legacy began in the late 1980s, with the first production models hitting the market near the end of 1989. It was also the company’s first model assembled in the US, in addition to Japan.
Almost immediately, Subaru’s reputation began to improve thanks to the Legacy. The model was much more upscale, grown-up, and conventionally styled than previous models. It even boasted optional all-wheel drive, something that neither the Camry nor the Accord offered.
1998 Subaru Legacy OutbackBring a Trailer
The second-generation Legacy debuted in Japan in October 1993 and went on sale in the US for the 1995 model year. The high-riding Legacy Outback also debuted during the second generation, with its first model year occurring in 1996. A turbocharged GT grade sat as the second-gen Legacy’s most potent spec in the US.
Enter The Blitzen
2000 Subaru Legacy B4 Blitzen wagon finished in red with black interiorClassicCars.com
The third-gen Legacy debuted in 1998, and in 2000, the B4 “Blitzen” wagon launched in Japan, its sole market. Special-edition and performance-oriented Subies were commonplace at this time, as the brand’s success in the World Rally Championship (WRC) had become known throughout the world. Because of this, interest in hot Subarus became more widespread, especially in its home country of Japan. So, the Blitzen wagon wasn’t really out of place.
2000 Subaru Legacy B4 Blitzen wagon finished in red with black interiorClassicCars.com
However, what was out of place was the source of some of Blitzen’s design elements. Unconventionally, Porsche Design was involved in the wagon’s styling. The wagon’s name, “Blitzen,” was derived from the German word for lightning, “Blitz.” Various exterior design cues, such as its wheels, body kit, and paint schemes, were all sourced from the Porsche Design team.
Related
Porsche Once Helped Subaru Build A 300-HP Luxury Performance Sedan
It’s the mashup you never knew you needed.
The Blitzen’s Mechanical Heart
2000 Subaru Legacy B4 Blitzen wagon finished in red with black interiorClassicCars.com
While Porsche proper wasn’t involved in the B4 Blitzen’s mechanical modifications, it still received a potent 2.0-liter boxer four-cylinder sporting a pair of sequential turbochargers. Reportedly, the powerplant’s small size made the model popular with enthusiasts in Japan, as its low displacement allowed owners to get around a higher road tax. However, the inclusion of the twin turbos allowed for a good amount of power.
2000 Subaru Legacy B4 Blitzen wagon finished in red with black interiorClassicCars.com
The powerplant belonged to Subaru’s EJ-Series of boxer engines. Specifically, this unit was the “EJ208,” and it boasted two different horsepower figures depending on the transmission type selected. The automatic models had a significant decrease in power as opposed to the manual versions. The sequential turbos allowed for one turbocharger to handle lower RPMs, while the second would kick in at higher revs.
2000 Subaru Legacy B4 Blitzen wagon finished in red with black interiorClassicCars.com
At the base level, the Blitzen was available with a five-speed manual transmission. Optionally, original buyers could spring for a four-speed automatic transmission, developed by Aisin. Of course, the Blitzen took advantage of the brand’s Symmetrical All-Wheel-Drive setup. It also boasted an STi-tuned suspension and braking system.
Engine Details
2.0L twin-turbocharged Boxer
Horsepower
- Manual: 276 hp
- Automatic: 265 hp
Torque
- Manual: 253 lb-ft
- Automatic: 235 lb-ft
0-60 MPH Time
5.2 seconds (man.)
Top Speed
162 mph (est.)
Curb Weight
3,440 lbs
*Specs courtesy of Subaru & Supercars.net
Current Pricing
2000 Subaru Legacy B4 Blitzen wagon finished in red with black interiorClassicCars.com
Since the 2000 model-year Legacy B4 Blitzen wagon just became available for import into the US, the market hasn’t been established enough in this country to have accurate, verifiable pricing. However, we can look at prices seen at auction houses in other countries to give ourselves a rough idea as to how much one would cost over here. For example, two B4 Blitzen wagons are for sale in Australia for roughly $18,000 each via TheParking-Cars.com
Related
Of Course Japan’s New Prime Minister Owns A Turbo Supra
Sanae Takaichi drove the Supra for 22 years and had a Celica Supra before that. The Supra is now on display in a museum.
Another Tuned Subaru Wagon, But With A New Dress
Front view of the 2005 Saab 9-2XSaab
For those who appreciate the obscure and also happen to be Subaru fans in the US, might we make a suggestion? Instead of going through the hassle of importing a Legacy Blitzen (although we do know this would be cool anyway), why not spring for a Saab 9-2x? It may have a bit of a boring face, but underneath the reserved, Swedish skin lies the beating heart of a Subaru Impreza Sportback. It was produced for just two model years, 2005 and 2006, and its average market price sits at just about $10,000 between both model years per Hagerty.
2005 Saab 9-2x Silver Rear AngleSaab
Two engines were available, one naturally aspirated and one turbocharged. The top-spec mill came standard with the 2005 9-2x Aero grade, and produced 227 horsepower courtesy of a 2.0-liter turbocharged EJ20 flat-four. The 2006 model received a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine making 230 hp.
Transmission options consisted of a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic. Subaru’s SAWD system was standard, as well. Unfortunately for the short-lived Saab, it wasn’t exactly popular. Saab buyers weren’t keen on the model due to it basically being a Subaru in Swedish clothes, with no Saab-bred mechanicals.
However, unlike the Blitzen, you can find Saab 9-2xs around on the used car market without needing to import one. It must be said, though, that the Blitzen is much better-looking and, let’s be honest, JDM cars are just cool.
Sources: TheParking-Cars.com, Subaru, Supercars.net, Kelley Blue Book, Hagerty
