Looking for the perfect stealth performance sedan?

Try the 2008 Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT Limited.

That's right, Subaru.

If you really want to see how serious a performer this one is, I'd suggest sitting behind the wheel for about five minutes. Once you shift into gear. this car goes like greased lightning. I'm talking about instantaneous, strong, torque-laden acceleration. And yet, the 2.5-liter, 245-horsepower four cylinder engine, with a five-speed sport shift automatic transmission and multi-point fuel injection system doesn't do too badly in mileage -- 18 mpg in the city and 24 highway.

And in case you're worried that this car isn't equipped with safety features, rest easy. The government gives this car five-star ratings in frontal crashes for both drivers and passengers, a five-star side crash rating for front and rear passengers, and four stars in rollover tests. That makes it one of the safest cars on the road.

Our test model had a base price of $31,795. That's likely to surprise people who think of Subaru as an economy brand. It isn't, except for certain Impreza models. I consider Subaru to be an entry-level luxury car company that makes upscale family sedans and wagons, too.

Anyway, there were no options on my car, and the bottom-line price was $32,440.

As I suggested earlier, the Legacy, which was new in 2005, has been transformed into an elegant, sporty sedan with sparkling handling. I was surprised at just how aggressively it corners, and acceleration with the turbo is instantaneous.

The car feels much more European than you would expect. It could even be a "poor man's" BMW 3 Series, it's that much fun behind the wheel.

For one thing, the car's turbo system is much smoother than it was in 2005. That model often accelerated strongly, sometimes unpredictably, because of the turbo. But I didn't notice any of that on the 2008 model.

The styling is contemporary and sleek, with an emphasis on a profile and demeanor that looks more European that Japanese.

There were a few changes for the Legacy's 2008 model.

The new styling features a grille with chrome crossbars and a central Subaru logo that represents the company's aeronautical heritage. The Legacy features all-new front sheet metal with a larger grille opening, new front and rear bumper fascias, and new headlights and taillights. The new front and rear bumpers feature reduced overhangs for a sportier and more contemporary appearance.

But the biggest news involves the powertrain.

In the turbo and 6-cylinder Legacy and Outback models equipped with the 5-speed automatic transmission (standard on 6-cylinder models), new steering wheel paddle shifters add a new dimension of driver involvement. The driver will be able to manually control gearshifts by using either the console shift or the paddle shifters.

Another cool feature is the SI Drive system, with three modes that drivers can set using a handy knob. In "intelligent" mode, the system reduces engine torque and maximum power and switches to a more relaxed throttle response curve, great for driving in the city or in heavy traffic. Subaru says this feature can boost fuel economy by as much as 10 percent.

The "sport" mode yields quick throttle responses and powerful, linear acceleration. In "sport sharp" mode, the system modifies the engine's electronic throttle mapping to deliver quickest throttle response and more power. If you're on a road with lots of curves and tricky corners, or if you're passing on the highway, this is the mode you want.

Inside, you'll find that the Legacy is quite nicely appointed, with comfortable, supportive leather seats and a good, legible set of gauges. I did find the dash slightly intimidating, however, because of the large number of lights, monitors and other gizmos staring at you when you first sit behind the wheel.

I only had two other problems with the Legacy: First, the interior seemed somewhat cramped in spite of the car's size. Moving the front seats back only a bit can make things uncomfortable for the rear passengers.

The other problem is an aesthetic one. Considering the almost explosive performance of this car, the sounds coming from the engine and the exhaust system don't match that promise. The sound I heard from inside the car actually seemed anemic to me.