"NOT the Impreza," said a pal when I mentioned I would be driving a four-wheel drive Subaru with blistering accleration.
Er, no. While the famed rally-winning WRX is indeed in that category, my mode of transport was the altogether more sedate looking Legacy.
Sedate it may look, but sedate is most certainly is not, housing a flat-six cylinder three-litre engine that pumps out nearly 250bhp, this 140mph plus sports tourer can live with the hottest of hot hatches.
It races from 0-60mph in just eight seconds and with the aid of all-wheel drive technology this estate car is as agile as a gazelle.
It sounds good too. The 'constant pulsation' exhaust system, says Suburu, provides more power and economy thanks to reduced back pressure to produce a new, sweeter-sounding burble. This is clearly audible under acceleration and adds to the sporting credentials.
The latest incarnation of the Legacy comes in saloon and estate mode and the model tested features not only top range peformance, but top grade luxury and refinement.
Subaru is aiming at the BMW/Audi sector of the market where the quality of the product will have to be good to challenge pacesetters.
Launched in 1998 and revamped in 2004, the company has tweaked the model for 2006 with a number of new features.
Changes include chrome headlamp reflectors, the deletion of smoked tail lamps for the saloon, a different grille and new wheel centre caps.
It also gains uprated suspension, a six-speed manual gearbox shared with the WRX and 18in wheels with 215/45 tyres.
It is hugely versatile, featuring an enormous boot area that swallows almost anything a normal sized family could throw at it. Move the folding rear seats and this creates acres of extra room.
The Legacy accommodates five with ease and feels solid and well put together.
It offers a raft of equipment for your money including leather interior, heated door mirrors and windscreen de-icer, curtain airbags, electrically-powered sun-roof, cruise control and an eight-way electrically-operated driver's seat
The frameless door windows are a nice touch and controls are logically placed and easy to use with nicely damped stalks and buttons.
On the road it is a real wolf in sheep's clothing. It has brutal acceleration and the automatic gearbox offers the option of full auto or semi Sport mode.
It handles beautifully with the balance of a ballerina and sure-footedness of a mountain goat. The ride is firmish, but the steering is a bit light for my liking and feels vague.
Economy is very respectable for an engine of this size and power and the onboard computer was telling me my average was around 22mpg.
As with all Japanese cars, safety is a high priority. Front, side and curtain airbags are standard as are anti-skid brakes and traction control.
Other features include active front head-restraints and pedals which effectively snap away under severe impact, protecting the driver's lower limbs.
All models in the Legacy and Outback range feature climate control, leather wrapped MOMO steering wheels, speed sensitive intermittent wipers, alloy wheels, radio/CD players, four electric windows and remote central-locking with Thatcham Category One alarm/immobiliser.
The range-topping Legacy 3.0R spec.B adds Subaru Vehicle Dynamics Control on autos, rear limited-slip differential, six-stacker CD system, eight-way electrically-operated front seats, audio controls on steering wheels, electro-luminescent instruments and premium cut-pile carpets.
The Impreza it is not, but impressive it definitely is. The quality is there, but cracking the German dominance is going to be the hard bit.
FAST FACTS
Subaru Legacy 3.0R spec B Auto Sports Tourer
Price: £28,250
Mechanical: 245bhp, 3,000cc, 6cyl petrol engine driving all four wheels via 5spd automatic gearbox
Max speed: 147mph
0-62mph: 8 secs
Combined mpg: 28.5
Insurance group: 15
CO2 emissions: 233g/km
BiK rating: 33%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles; 3yrs paint; 12yrs anti-rust