Subaru Forester Wilderness teased

Subaru has teased a second rugged ‘Wilderness’ model following the revealed of the Subaru Outback Wilderness in the USA earlier this year – and it could be based on the popular Subaru Forester.

Claimed to be “the most capable Outback ever”, the 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness brings more off-road ability to the new-generation crossover wagon launched here in February, and is under consideration for the Australian market.

If its upgrades are any guide, the Subaru Forester Wilderness would get jacked-up suspension bringing an extra 20mm or so of ground clearance, chunky all-terrain tyres and a rugged body kit offering extra off-road protection.

The final drive ratio in the CVT automatic transmission of the Subaru Outback Wilderness is also tweaked to deliver better low-end response, and its all-wheel drive system’s X-MODE drive terrain select set-up gains snow/dirt and deep snow/mud settings.

Subaru USA hasn’t confirmed that the vehicle in the teaser photo is the Forester, so it’s possible the Japanese car-maker’s next Wilderness model could be based on the eight-seat Subaru Ascent large SUV, which isn’t sold in Australia.

Either way, Subaru Australia has already expressed its desire to offer the Outback Wilderness in Australia, where new-car buyers continue to flock to more capable off-road family SUVs and 4WDs.

Subaru Australia spokesperson David Rowley said there were no plans for an Outback Wilderness “at this stage” but wouldn’t rule out any Wilderness models in future.

“We’re always talking to the factory about future options. There’s nothing on the horizon but we’re following the progress of those Wilderness editions very closely,” he said.

Subaru will release a facelifted version of the Forester in Australia around October, bringing a fresh design, more safety features and extra equipment, and is also considering a more powerful turbocharged boxer four for the Outback.

And while the new Subaru WRX and Levorg have been delayed for Australia until early 2022, at this stage the new BRZ sports coupe remains on target for a local launch by the end of 2021.