14 Jan 08
Subaru's new-generation Forester is already on sale in Japan, and UK sales begin in April. It arrives on North American forecourts this spring too.
This third-generation Forester is 45mm wider and 110mm taller than its predecessor, with its wheelbase expanding by 90mm. Its turning circle has been improved, as has its off-roading ability, with more extreme approach and departure angles and up to 225mm ground clearance, depending on version. Redesigns to the rear suspension mean a deeper and wider boot-space, wider door openings give easier access, and sound-proofing has been upgraded for a quieter ride.
New interior features include redesigned seats, a large central console - big enough for an A4-sized lap-top - and a retractable rear tray with cupholder, with options to include side and curtain airbags, 17-inch alloy wheels, sat nav and high-spec audio systems with auxiliary inputs.
The US-market Forester gets both normally-apsirated and turbocharged versions of Subaru's 2.5-litre flat-four petrol engine, and the Japanese get naturally-aspirated and turbocharged versions of the 2.0-litre flat-four, reworked with a new cylinder head, higher compression ratio, revised valve timing and other measures to improve fuel consumption and low- and mid-range torque.
Four-speed automatic transmission with sequential-shift 'manual' mode is optional; the manual gearbox has been overhauled for better economy and improved in-gear acceleration. The four-wheel-drive system has three modes (Intelligent, Sport and Sport Sharp); whilst manual models have a central differential with limited-slip differential, the autos have a different AWD system with active torque-split.
US-market cars get side curtain airbags, stability control and traction model as standard, four-wheel disc brakes, hill start assist (manual models), and options including XM or Sirius satellite radio; the range-topping version, with the full gamut of niceties, is branded as the LL Bean edition, a branding exercise with the posh clothing/accessories retailer.
Specifications for the UK-market Forester - ultimately to be offered with Subaru's new self-developed diesel engine - will be confirmed nearer to the springtime on-sale date.
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