Forester tS to join local line-up

Subaru Australia will introduce a new range-topping variant to the Forester line-up in 2016.

Dubbed tS, the new model will be Subaru’s most expensive car Down Under. It is the work of Subaru’s performance arm Subaru Tecnica International (STI) and features significant upgrades to handling prowess and standard equipment.

Although identical in power output to the 177kW/350Nm turbocharged petrol XT, Subaru says the tS features no fewer than 50 specification changes. These include almost 30 carried out by STI technicians after the car leaves Subaru’s Gunma production line.

Expected to be priced around $57,000 when it arrives on our shores, a total of just 600 tS will be made, with Australia receiving half of that number. STI is limited to a production rate of just four units per day.

Three colours will be offered, Pearl White, Subaru’s trademark WR Blue, and black. Interior changes include reprofiled front seats in leather and alcantara along with a host of detail interior dress-up items.

Subaru Australia will announce full details and specification closer to the car’s arrival in Oz.

Under the skin, STI has specified changes such as additional sound deadening. The tS also adopts parts sourced from the company’s Nurburgring 24 WRX STI development program, including struts, front and rear subframes, and other chassic strengthening parts. Multi-spoke 19-inch Enkei wheels and WRX STI-sourced Brembo brakes are also standard.

Forester tS is one of three bespoke models STI has on its books. The BRZ tS is the most recent model to share the badge, while the latest S207 high-performance WRX STI-derived model debuts at this week’s Tokyo Motor Show. At this stage there are no plans for either the BRZ or S207 to be sold outside the Japanese domestic market.

The Forester tS is available solely with Subaru’s Lineartronic CVT auto.

It will be the most expensive Forester ever offered and is likely to replace the $55,390 WRX STI Premium as the company’s price flagship Down Under.

Previously the top-spec Forester offered by Subaru Australia was the S-Edition. Priced at $50,990, it was last sold in 2011-12. Until the tS arrives locally (in March 2016), the company’s top-spec Forester variant will remain the XT Premium which is priced at $47,990.