Subaru Legacy GTk Concept Turns Estate into Track-Day Hauler at SEMA 2009
Subaru revealed the Legacy GTk concept at SEMA 2009, combining a 300hp turbocharged estate with a race-ready kart stowed in the boot for all-in-one family motorsport.
Subaru used the 2009 SEMA Show in Las Vegas to unveil the Legacy GTk, a one-off concept that reimagined the estate car as a track-day tool for both drivers and their families. Built in partnership with Specialized Vehicles, Inc. (SVI), the GTk paired a performance-tuned Legacy wagon with a fully functional Coyote Motorsports XP kart stowed in the cargo bay, ready for SCCA Solo autocross competition.
The Legacy GTk’s powertrain was lifted from the 2010 Legacy 2.5GT saloon, but with a reprogrammed ECU and custom exhaust, output rose to 300hp and 350lb ft, up from the standard 265hp and 258lb ft. Power was sent to all four wheels via Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel drive system and a six-speed manual gearbox, with an SPT short-throw shifter and STI shift knob for a more direct feel. SVI added a quad-tipped exhaust and dressed the engine bay with braided hoses and SPT aluminium parts.
Chassis and exterior modifications for the track
Chassis upgrades started with an SPT strut tower brace and continued with Bilstein struts, STI ‘pink’ springs and a full Brembo brake package. The front axle used six-piston calipers and 355mm cross-drilled discs, while the rear featured four-piston calipers. HRE 19-inch wheels and BF Goodrich Force-KDW 2 tyres completed the track-focused setup. The exterior wore a black-over-red paint scheme, JDM Legacy spoilers, blackout HID headlights and SVI’s own front air dam, hood vents and diffuser.
A kart in the boot: family motorsport in one package
The centrepiece of the GTk concept was its ability to carry a race-ready kart in the boot, with no trailer required. Subaru selected a Coyote Motorsports XP kart, powered by a Yamaha KT-100 two-stroke engine, suitable for SCCA’s Formula Junior A class (ages 12–15). The cargo area was modified with rubber decking, tie-downs and LED lighting to secure and display the kart, which weighed about 160lb ready to race. The concept was aimed at families wanting to compete together at autocross events, with the parent driving the Legacy and the teenager piloting the kart.
Interior and environmental touches
Inside, the Legacy GTk featured custom Ultrasuede and leather trim, Recaro Sportster front seats, and carbon-fibre patterned panels. The Ultrasuede material used Toray’s EcoDesign product made from 100% recycled ultra microfibres, reflecting Subaru’s zero-landfill manufacturing policy. The dashboard was fitted with additional gauges for boost, temperature and oil pressure, while a Harman/Kardon GreenEdge audio system with 18 speakers and an 11-channel amplifier provided entertainment and kept weight and energy use down compared to conventional systems.
- 2.5-litre turbocharged flat-four engine, 300hp/350lb ft
- 6-speed manual transmission with SPT short-throw shifter
- Brembo brakes: 6-piston front, 4-piston rear
- Bilstein struts, STI ‘pink’ springs, SPT strut brace
- HRE 19-inch wheels, BF Goodrich Force-KDW 2 tyres
- Custom Ultrasuede/leather interior, Recaro Sportster seats
- Coyote XP kart (Yamaha KT-100) in cargo bay
