All-New 2015 Subaru Legacy Integrates Pandora Internet Radio

CHICAGO--Feb. 14, 2014: Subaru of America, Inc. announced that the all-new 2015 Legacy sedan, introduced today at the Chicago Auto Show, would come equipped as standard with Pandora smartphone integration as part of the standard Subaru STARLINK™ infotainment connectivity feature. Pandora, the leading Internet radio service with more than 76 million active monthly users, enables the user to create personal radio stations, such as by genre or artist.

The 2015 Subaru Legacy, which features the brand's renowned Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive as standard, debuts new infotainment systems that offer on-demand features while providing easy operation through new large touch control screens, as well as steering wheel control switches or voice operation. Subaru embedded the Pandora user interface firmware directly onto the infotainment head unit in the Legacy's new infotainment systems. By connecting a smartphone, the user can access the Pandora app with fast, seamless control via the Legacy's touch screen interface that allows swiping and scrolling gesture control, as on a tablet or smartphone.

Listening to Pandora personalized radio in the Legacy is as easy as using AM/FM. Using a connected smartphone, Pandora controls, including station selection and the service's innovative "thumbs" user feedback buttons, are easily transferred from the mobile device into the head unit. Based on the user's selections, Pandora will recommend similar song choices that the listener can play or skip. Users can choose the free version or the subscription plan.

Subaru integrated Gracenote software, as well, which displays the album art for the playing selection and can update the album art via smartphone, and allows voice activation of some audio controls.

"The 2015 Legacy includes Subaru's most comprehensive infotainment and connectivity capability, and so because nearly half of all radio listening takes place in the car, we are excited to offer drivers the added versatility that Pandora adds," said (Ken Lin, Director of Prodduct Planning at Subaru of America, Inc.

New Infotainment Choices for 2015 Legacy A new 6.2 Infotainment System in the 2015 Legacy 2.5i model provides AM/FM stereo and HD Radio®, Radio Data Broadcast System, single-disc in-dash CD player, 6.2-in. multi-function touch screen display, Subaru STARLINK connectivity with Aha™ and Pandora smartphone app integration, rear vision camera, Bluetooth® hands-free phone connectivity and audio streaming, iPod® control capability, USB port and auxiliary input jack.

The Upgraded Infotainment System in the 2.5i Premium adds a 6-speaker audio system with 7-inch hi-res capacitive touch screen display, SiriusXM® satellite radio, SMS text messaging, iTunes® tagging capability and dual USB ports.

Standard for the 2015 Legacy Limited trim models, a new high-end audio system combines a 576-Watt equivalent AM/FM/HD Radio unit with 12 harman/kardon speakers, including a front center speaker and a rear subwoofer. The amplifier and speakers use harman/kardon Green Edge technology, which reduces system weight and power consumption.

The Navigation Infotainment System available for the Premium and Limited trim levels, in addition to the multi-function display, features an interactive voice command system that accepts natural language and phrases and also operates the dual-zone automatic climate control system.

The center console in the 2015 Legacy provides a storage area that can hold an standard iPad®. A new covered storage bin at the front of the console incorporates a USB port, 3.5mm AUX jack and a 12v power port. Models with high-grade audio or navigation feature two USB ports, making it possible to listen to music and charge two connected devices.

Offering a choice of 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder BOXER engines, the 2015 Subaru Legacy comes standard a Lineartronic CVT (continuously variable transmission) and Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and offers the roomiest passenger cabin in the midsize sedan segment. With estimated ratings of 26 mpg city / 36 mpg highway / 30 mpg combined, the 2015 Legacy 2.5i matches or exceeds the fuel economy of some midsize models that come only with front-wheel drive.