Review: Subaru BE/BH Liberty (1998-03)

Review: Subaru BE.I/BH.I Liberty (1998-01)

Overview

The Subaru BH Series I (BH.I) Liberty wagon was released in October 1998, with the BE Series I (BE.I) Liberty sedan following in March 1999. Manufactured in Ota, Japan, the all-wheel drive sedan and wagon BE/BH Liberty ranges consisted of 2.0i and 2.5i variants, powered by 2.0- and 2.5-litre horizontally-opposed (or flat) four-cylinder petrol engines. Beyond the variants, there were also GX, RX and Heritage editions; the full range is given in the table below.

EJ201 and EJ251 engines

The 2.0-litre EJ201 and 2.5-litre EJ251 engines had open-deck aluminium alloy cylinder blocks with cast iron liners, aluminium alloy cylinder heads with cross-flow cooling, a single overhead camshaft per cylinder bank (belt-driven), four valves per cylinder, multi-point sequential fuel injection and compression ratios of 10.1:1.

Dimensions

Compared to its BD predecessor, the Subaru BE Liberty sedan was the same length (at 4605 mm), the same width (1695 mm), 10 mm taller (1415 mm) and had a 20 mm longer wheelbase (2650 mm). Relative to its BE sedan counterpart, the BH Liberty wagon was 75 mm longer (at 4680 mm) and had a 100 mm higher roofline (1515 mm).

Suspension

The BE and BH Liberty had MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension.

AWD systems

For Subaru BE and BH Liberty models with manual transmissions, the all-wheel drive system provided a 50:50 front:rear torque split. In the event that the wheels lost traction, the viscous coupling with the centre differential case would operate to direct up to 80 per cent of the engine’s torque to the opposing axle.

For BE and BH Liberty models with automatic transmissions, the all-wheel drive system provided an 80:20 front/rear torque split. Instead of a viscous coupling, this all-wheel drive system included an electronically-controlled, hydraulic multi-plate transfer clutch. Torque distribution to the rear axle could be varied according to wheel slippage, throttle position and braking. The driver could also engage a 50:50 front:rear torque distribution for standing starts by moving the gear lever from ‘D’ into ‘2’.

Safety equipment

Initially, standard safety equipment for the Subaru BE.I and BH.I Liberty consisted of dual front airbags and ABS. From August 1999, the Heritage editions were further equipped with front seat-mounted side airbags.

From August 2000, the B-pillars were reinforced for improved occupant protection in the event of a side impact and Heritage editions were fitted with electronic stability control and traction control (Subaru’s ‘Vehicle Dynamics Control’).

Features: Liberty GX, RX and Heritage

Standard features for the Liberty 2.0i GX included a six speaker sound system with CD player, air conditioning, cruise control, split and folding rear seats, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, a tilt adjustable steering wheel and an immobiliser.

The Liberty 2.5i RX was further equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels, climate control air conditioning, front fog lights and woodgrain interior trim.

Beyond this, the Liberty 2.5i Heritage added a six-disc CD changer, leather upholstery, twin sunroofs and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, handbrake and transmission lever.

August 1999 updates

In August 1999, standard features were extended to include intermittent wipers and a pollen filter; the GX editions were also fitted with body-coloured door handles and mirrors. Features for the RX were also extended to include a leather-wrapped steering wheel, handbrake and transmission levers.

August 2000 updates

In August 2000, the Liberty range underwent a minor update as a revised front bumper was introduced and the RX and Heritage editions were fitted with projector-type fog lights. The remote control fob was also combined with the key into a single unit (the key and remote control were previously separate).

Inside, all Liberty models received silver instrument surrounds and a dark woodgrain finish for the centre console, while the RX received upgraded interior trim. The Liberty RX and Heritage also received a new audio unit – with a CD player, radio and cassette player – and an integrated black finish for the upper and lower sections of the dashboard (previously black and grey).

2001 Liberty GX Special Edition

In April 2001, a limited-run Special Edition of the 2.0i GX was released – these Special Editions were distinguished by their 15-inch alloy wheels and leather seats.

Review: Subaru BE.II/BH.II Liberty (2001-03)

Overview

Released in August 2001, the Subaru BE and BH Series II (BE.II/BH.II) Liberty introduced an expanded range which included the Liberty B4 and mechanical upgrades. For the latter, additional supports were added to the rear suspension sub-frame for greater strength and improved handling. For the 2.5i variants, the manual transmissions were also upgraded with a dual-mass flywheel for smoother clutch engagement and greater refinement.

The Subaru BE.II/BH.II Liberty could be identified by its clear-lens headlights with integrated indicators, chrome grille surrounds, new front bumpers and an aluminium bonnet; for the Liberty RX and Heritage editions, the fog lights were also revised. Inside, there were twin trip meters, greater lumbar support for the driver’s seat and wagon models were fitted with an adjustable centre rear head restraint. Furthermore, the Liberty GX variants received black cloth seat and door trims, while the Liberty RX received a charcoal grey and black stripe pattern. Heritage editions also had a dash-mounted switch to turn the Vehicle Dynamics Control system on or off.

Liberty B4: EJ208 engine

Solely available as a sedan, the Subaru BE Liberty B4 was powered by the EJ208 engine . The EJ208 engine had an open-deck aluminium alloy cylinder block with cast iron liners, forged aluminium pistons, double overhead camshafts per cylinder bank (belt-driven), four valves per cylinder actuated by solid valve lifters and a compression ratio of 9.0:1. Significantly, the EJ208 engine had a primary IHI VF33 turbocharger and a secondary IHI VF32 turbocharger which operated in three stages:

• Primary stage: at low to medium engine speeds, boost pressure was provided solely by the smaller, ‘primary’ turbocharger;
• Intermediate preparatory stage: at medium engine speeds, the exhaust control valve was partially opened so that the secondary turbocharger would begin to rotate. Initially, pressure generated by the secondary turbocharger was redirected to the inlet side of the air intake; and,
• Secondary stage: when the ECM determined that engine operating conditions were suitable, the relief valve would close and the exhaust gas control valve would fully open. When the intake control valve was opened, pressure from the secondary turbocharger was supplied to the intercooler.

Safety equipment

Compared to their BE.I/BH.I predecessors, standard safety equipment for the BE.II/BH.II Liberty was unchanged. The newly introduced Liberty B4 was similarly equipped with dual front airbags and ABS, but omitted the front side airbags, electronic stability control and traction control of the 2.5i Heritage.

Euro NCAP crash testing

In Euro NCAP crash testing , the 2002 Subaru Liberty wagon (sold in Europe as the Legacy) – fitted with dual front airbags and front side airbags – received a four star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 27. In the offset crash test, protection of the driver’s head was rated as good, leg and foot protection as adequate, chest and left thigh protection as marginal, and protection of the right thigh as weak. In the side impact test, however, maximum points were awarded.

Features

Standard features for the BE.II and BH.II Liberty were largely unchanged, though the security system was upgraded to include a keypad immobiliser and alarm system.

Features: BE Liberty B4

Compared to the 2.5i RX, the Liberty B4 omitted cruise control and woodgrain interior trim, but featured 17-inch BBS alloy wheels with 215/45 Bridgestone R17 tyres, seven speaker McIntosh sound system (including subwoofer) with CD player and six-disc changer, six-way power adjustable driver’s seat, black and blue leather interior and a Momo steering wheel.

The Liberty B4 was also fitted with a Bilstein inverted front struts and rear dampers and a viscous-type limited slip rear differential.

March 2002: Liberty 2.0i GX and 2.5i RX Special Editions

In March 2002, limited-run Special Editions of the 2.0i GX and 2.5i RX were released. The 2.0i GX Special Edition was distinguished by its 15-inch alloy wheels, leather seats, floor mats, headlights protectors and a metallic paint finish. Compared to the standard 2.5i RX, the 2.5i RX Special Edition featured a two-pane sunroof and a metallic paint finish.

January 2003: Liberty 2.0i GX and 2.5i RX Special Editions

In January 2003, the Special Editions returned. On this occasion, the 2.0i GX Special Edition added 15-inch alloy wheels, leather seats and was available in Premium Silver and White paint finishes. The 2.5i RX Special Edition was fitted with 16-inch gun metallic alloy wheels, KYB sports suspension, a power adjustable driver’s seat, leather seats, Momo steering wheel and was available in Premium Silver and Blue Mica paint finishes.

Related links

• Technical Description: Subaru BE Liberty B4 (2001)
• Wikipedia.org: Subaru BE/BH Liberty/Legacy