|
By
ALISTAIR KENNEDY
18 July 2005
Subaru has released its 2006 model year Forester 4WD with some
minor changes in appearance and with extra power from each of its
two engines.
Since its release here in 1997 Forester has
consistently been placed in the top three sellers in the compact
4WD market. Over the past decade this has been one of the most
dynamic segments in the local automotive scene with sales doubling
over the past three years. Indeed more Australians now buy these
versatile little vehicles than any other type of 4WD. When
Forester sales are combined with Subaru’s other compact 4WD,
Outback, the company is a clear market leader in the compact
segment with up to a quarter of total sales.
While styling has always played a major part in
the marketing of compact 4WDs Subaru has stood firm and
concentrated on the engineering credentials of the Forester ahead
of its appearance. Not that the Forester is unattractive. It has a
neat, clean style which provides a nice compromise between the
looks of a sensible station wagon and an off-road 4WD.
The most noticeable exterior changes in the 2006
Forester are a new five-bar horizontal grille which gives it a
chunkier, tougher look as well as twin globe headlights and
revised tail lights. On the Forester XT the new headlights include
gas discharge High Intensity Discharge (HID) low beam and pop-out
power jet washers.
As before the Forester comes with the choice of
two versions of Subaru’s 2.5-litre four-cylinder boxer engine,
one naturally aspirated, the other turbocharged. For 2006 both
engines get a boost in power, the standard engine up from 112kW to
121kW, the turbo up from 155kW to 169kW. The naturally aspirated
engine meets Euro 3 emission regulations while the turbocharged
engine meets Euro 4.
We tested each engine for around a hundred
kilometres each and while the non-turbo provided plenty of power
the extra kick from the turbo unit will make it the preferred
choice of the keen driver.
As with the previous model, three Forester
variants are offered: X, XS and XT. The first two are powered by
the naturally aspirated engine while the XT has the turbo engine,
easily identified by its prominent bonnet scoop. A luxury pack,
including leather seats, steering wheel and hand brake trim and
power-operated sunroof is available with the XS and XT. The XT
also now comes with 17-inch alloy wheels.
Forester is easy to drive thanks to its compact
dimensions and comparatively low-set body. On the bitumen it’s
almost car-like in its performance and overall feel. It’s not
really aimed at serious off-road driving, but rather at slippery
dirt and gravel roads, some of which we experienced in our
rain-affected Tasmanian test drive. The Forester felt strong and
capable throughout.
All 2006 Forester models now come with the extra
smoothness and improved driveability of "drive by wire"
throttle control. More correctly known as Electronic Throttle
Control (ETC) it sends an electronic signal from the pedal to the
engine management computer, resulting in a smoother reaction to
the accelerator pedal and better engine response.
Suspension has been upgraded in all models to
further cater for the differing requirements of a crossover
vehicle. The XS and XT are also now equipped with a self-levelling
rear suspension that automatically reverts to its specified height
after towing or carrying a load.
Forester is not a big vehicle but it does use
its interior space cleverly. Rear seat legroom has been a problem
previously and this has been addressed by adding 50mm to the seat
base length. Also new inside is a cleverly designed centre console
that includes a front centre sliding armrest which conceals two
extra cup holders and a sliding tray table that serves rear seat
passengers.
All Forester models now come with a choice of
beige or black interior trim regardless of the exterior colour.
Prices range from $31,990 for a Forester X with
manual transmission to $46,990 for an automatic XT with the Luxury
Pack option. Unusually, the price of the entry level X model, with
either manual or automatic transmission, includes some on-road
costs, namely stamp duty, registration and CTP insurance. Dealer
delivery charges still apply. The prices of all other models
exclude on-road costs.
© Copyright
Marque Publishing Company
|
