2015 Subaru Liberty teased

Subaru has released a teaser photo of its new sixth-generation Liberty, which will make its global debut at the 2014 Chicago motor show on February 7 and is due in Australia in early 2015.

Known in the USA and other countries as the Legacy, the new Subaru medium car celebrates its 25th anniversary this year and was previewed at 2013's Los Angeles motor show in the form of the Legacy concept.

Judging from the teaser image, the production vehicle will be less aggressively styled than the striking concept car (pictured), but Subaru of America insists the new car will be a much sportier proposition than the current model.

"The all-new Legacy offers a sleeker, more coupe-like profile with a faster windshield rake angle and narrower A-pillars that create a sporty and modern sedan," reads the official press statement.

The Japanese car maker is keeping all the juicy technical details secret until the Chicago motor show next week, but suggests we will see improvements in performance and technology.

"New Legacy offers enhanced driveability, functionality and quality, underpinned by the All-Wheel Drive credentials for which it is renowned," says the company.

While it's virtually guaranteed to run with four-cylinder boxer engines, some turbo others not, it's not known what power outputs or displacements will be, and whether the sporty new model will be given more herbs to take on the likes of the Mazda6 and Volkswagen Passat.

Entry-level Liberty models in Australia are packaged with a 2.5-litre petrol boxer engine that pumps out 127kW/235Nm, while a turbo-petrol 2.5 ups the ante to 195kW/350Nm.

It's possible a more efficient 2.0-litre turbo engine could added to the range in Australia when the new generation Liberty arrives.

However it remains to be seen whether Subaru will retain the 3.6-litre boxer engine that currently propels the Liberty 3.6X sedan, worth 191kW/350Nm, as its power output is similar to the current 2.5 turbo but the engine is less economical.

The four-door sedan will be joined by a wagon variant in due course, and is expected to arrive in US dealerships this year ahead of its Australian launch in early 2015.

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