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By
EWAN KENNEDY
17 March 2008
Subaru has virtually taken its popular Forester into a different
area of the SUV market. The Japanese company has been a specialist
in all-wheel-drive wagons since the 1970s, and introduced the
Forester in 1997, has now come up with something that takes a new
tack.
Because the new Forester is now almost a 4WD, not simply an SUV,
in its makeup. To start with its increased ground clearance, now
220 mm, is greater than that of many a dedicated 4WD vehicle. Then
there's the fact that it offers dual-range transmission for torque
multiplication in off-road conditions in some models. Though the
body has monocoque construction, there's a rugged underfloor
strengthening system that gives close to ladder-frame strength. As
we said, it’s almost a 4WD.
On the downside, there are relatively long overhangs, which
affect ramp angles and therefore limit off-roading in extreme
areas.
As before, the dual-range transmission is only offered on
five-speed manual Foresters, the four-speed automatic models
relying on the torque multiplication offered by the transmission
to give it more punch off the road.
The rugged body construction has already led to the Forester
receiving the maximum 5-star rating when independently tested by
the Australian NCAP organisation.
Styling makes the new Subaru Forester look like a smaller
brother to the seven-seater Tribeca. Forester is rounder and more
modern in its looks than the previous two generations. You wouldn’t
exactly call it futuristic, but the headlight and grille treatment
works well.
The bonnet scoop on the turbocharged Forester XT follows the
lead of the latest Subaru WRX in having lines that integrate
neatly into the bonnet, rather than looking as though it has been
tacked on afterwards.
This Forester is larger than the preceding models. Inside,
there's a big emphasis on the extra space thus offered. Space that
makes the rear seat comfortable, a place in which adults can
stretch out. With four doors that now open wider than before for
improved access. Add that to additional boot capacity and the
Forester can make light work of a family with a pair of teenage
children on extended holiday trips.
Some occupants may find the seating position too low, and even
the tallest of travellers will be surprised at the amount of
headroom offered. Forget the mere Akubra, you could wear a top hat
in this wagon.
As before, the Forester is sold in standard and
high-performance format, the latter designated XT and powered by a
turbocharged engine. Subaru's marketing thrust is that the XT is
suited for the ‘Lad within the Dad’, in other words for the
man who wants a practical family wagon that’s almost a Subaru
WRX in its dynamic capabilities.
Power in the Forester XT comes from a twin-cam 2.5-litre boxer
engine producing 169 kW and 320 Nm. There has been a strong
emphasis on fatting out the torque and producing more of it at
lower revs.
That was certainly obvious in our initial test drive on
interesting roads in northern Tasmania. The latest Subaru turbo
produces useful grunt at useable revs without having too much
turbo lag.
We felt the suspension was rather soft on the standard models,
but really liked that on the turbo variants. Interestingly, the
only difference between the two variants are the tyres.
Particularly noticeable is the reduction in NVH (Noise,
Vibration and Harshness) levels. At cruising speeds of 120 to 130
km/h, the normal speeds in most civilised countries, it’s simply
purring along.
Forester XT is priced from $38,990 for a five-speed manual to
$46,990 for the Premium with a four-speed automatic transmission.
Standard models in the Forester range also have a 2.5-litre
flat-four, but it uses a single-cam engine with variable timing on
the intake valves. With 126 kW and 229 Nm it has good, though not
really exciting performance. This engine is also strong from
relatively low revs.
Forester has a recommended retail price of $30,490 as an ‘X’
manual running through to $39,490 for an XS premium automatic.
Prices have been reduced on all models, by $1500 to $2990
depending on the variant. That’s partly due to improved
efficiency in the design, as well as to the increasing strength of
the Oz dollar over the Japanese yen.
Subaru Australia continues to place a strong emphasis on safety
and the aforementioned five-star rating sees all models fitted
with six airbags, including side curtains.
This latest edition of the Subaru Forester is a clever bit of
design and its combination of genuine off-road ability, on-road
refinement and sharp pricing seem sure to make it carry on the
popularity of its honourable ancestors.
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Marque Publishing Company
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