Subaru Legacy BE

Subaru announced the redesigned Touring Wagon and Lancaster on 17 June 1998 and put them on sale the same day. The B4 sedan followed on 21 December 1998. Subaru explains the B4 name as the initials of the boxer engine and the four-wheel-drive system, so the name says nothing about a turbo. Both launch grades, the RS and the RSK, share the type GF-BE5, so the chassis code cannot tell a naturally aspirated car from a twin-turbo one. Subaru's catalogue periods are wagon June 1998 to May 2003 and B4 December 1998 to May 2003.

Subaru's launch table gives all four cars an EJ20 of 1,994 cc (92.0 × 75.0 mm). The twin-turbo RSK manual has an 8.5:1 compression ratio, 280 PS at 6,500 rpm and 35.0 kgf·m at 5,000 rpm. The Sportshift E-4AT version has a 9.0:1 compression ratio, 260 PS at 6,000 rpm and 32.5 kgf·m at 5,000 rpm. The RS has DOHC, AVCS and a variable intake, with 155 PS at 6,400 rpm and 20.0 kgf·m at 3,200 rpm.

Catalogue mass is 1,440 kg (RSK manual), 1,470 kg (RSK automatic), 1,370 kg and 1,390 kg (RS). Cars with side airbags or the Special Leather Package are listed at 10 kg more. The sedan measures 4,605 × 1,695 × 1,410 mm on a 2,650 mm wheelbase.

The RSK has inverted Bilstein dampers at the front and conventional upright ones at the rear, so the Bilstein equipment is not wagon-only. Subaru's table lists strut front and multi-link independent rear suspension, a 64-litre tank and premium unleaded. The automatic's VTD-4WD has a basic front-to-rear split of 35:65.

Dual airbags were standard and side airbags a manufacturer option. The standard seats combine fabric and protein leather, which is not full leather. The Special Leather Package and a McIntosh audio system were manufacturer options.

The May 1999 GT-B E-tune automatic wagon (GF-BH5) is rated 260 PS at 6,000 rpm and 32.5 kgf·m at 5,000 rpm, weighs 1,520 kg and measures 4,680 × 1,695 × 1,485 mm. The substantial update on 22 May 2001 introduced the GT-B E-tune II. Subaru describes a smaller primary compressor wheel and a larger compressor housing, claiming about 7% more torque from 2,000 to 4,000 rpm. Subaru names the engine EJ20. HKS lists EJ206 and EJ208 for BE5 and BH5 applications without assigning those suffixes to particular gearboxes.

The 2001 update added the RS25 sporting B4 and the 250S Touring Wagon, both with a 2.5-litre DOHC naturally aspirated engine. The GT30 wagon and RS30 sedan followed on 21 January 2002, announced and on sale the same day. The RS30 (BEE) uses the EZ30, a naturally aspirated 2,999 cc flat-six rated 220 PS at 6,000 rpm and 29.5 kgf·m at 4,400 rpm. Both use the E-4AT and VTD-4WD.

Blitzen 2001 was announced on 11 January 2001 and sold from 24 January, built on the GT-B E-tune wagon and the B4 RSK with exterior parts developed with Porsche Design. The S401 STI version is a BES sedan built on the B4 RSK. It has a six-speed manual, a front Suretrac-type limited-slip differential, Brembo brakes, BBS wheels and a 15:1 steering ratio, and is rated 216 kW (293 PS) at 6,400 rpm and 343 N·m at 4,400 to 5,600 rpm.

STI gives a reference mass of 1,520 kg. STI states a limit of 400; PistonHeads reports only 286 were made. Neither is a confirmed completion count.

On 23 April 1998 a GT-B Touring Wagon record car averaged 270.532 km/h over a measured kilometre at La Junta, Colorado, in an FIA-recognised attempt, before the generation went on sale. Subaru says the car carried a roll cage, fire extinguisher, five-point harness and safety seat, and that other performance specifications were basically those of the production car. The 270.532 km/h figure is a measured-kilometre average for the record car.

Subaru's recall 4469 of 11 April 2019 covers GF-BE5 and GF-BH5 cars in specified ranges: BE5 built 30 November 1998 to 12 April 2001 and BH5 built 7 May 1999 to 12 April 2001. Condensation on the combination-meter board can short the power circuit and cause smoke or fire, and the remedy is cleaning and a moisture-resistant coating. A UK guide advises checking the twin-turbo actuator lines, control valves and sensors.

The US 25-year rule is judged on each car's own build date (49 CFR 591.5(i)), not on model year or launch date. EPA's over-21-years exemption requires the original engine model and configuration, or an equivalent or newer EPA-certified replacement with its emission controls. State registration and emissions rules differ, and Canada counts 15 years from the month and year of manufacture.