Subaru unveils revamped Forester

Subaru has stolen its own thunder by releasing the first images of its "all-new" third-generation Forester ahead of the vehicle's debut at the upcoming Detroit motor show.

Accompanying the images, Subaru has also revealed the new car's Japanese specification in some detail. The release was timed for Christmas Day, well ahead of the car's international launch in Detroit, but coinciding with the Japanese domestic launch, according to Subaru. Japanese magazines had already revealed pics of the new model and these images had found their way on to the Internet (more here).

The Japanese carmaker says the third-generation Forester is a total redesign that offers improved comfort, space and utility, and its all-new platform supposedly serves up "sport-sedan dynamics".

It is, after all, a Subaru, so it goes without saying that the brand's trademark Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive configuration is retained, but the new Forester has a wheelbase that's about 90mm longer than that of its predecessor.

Among the key changes is a new double-wishbone rear suspension set-up that's claimed to improve crash-worthiness and deliver crisper handling, a quieter ride and increased interior rear-seat space and cargo room.

There's a strong safety focus as the third-gen Forester comes standard with side-curtain airbags with a rollover sensor, as well as Subaru's Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) stability and traction control system.

Its maker is confident the new Forester is the dynamic superior of the rest of the compact SUV horde, saying: "With the Subaru Dynamic Chassis Control Concept (Subaru DC3), Subaru optimised all elements of the Forester's chassis to deliver a better balance of ride, handling response, quietness and overall traction performance than offered by competitive vehicles."

This goal was allegedly achieved via the new, high-strength body structure, complemented by the standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, VDC and Brake Assist safety system.

Manual transmission models come equipped with Incline Start Assist, which can momentarily prevent the vehicle from rolling backward when being driven away from rest on an incline.

For the Japanese market, the Forester will be available in three levels of trim, the 2.0X, 2.0XS and 2.0XT.

Although reportedly much more spacious than its predecessor, the MY2009 Forester has grown only 75mm in overall length, which Subaru claims has helped retain "the trim exterior packaging cited by Forester owners as one of this model's most essential features".

Overall width has been reduced by 10mm through changes to the exterior mirrors and -- combined with a 0.2m smaller turning circle -- improves on the current car's manoeuvrability. Interior packaging has gained from the new model being 110mm taller than the current model and offering larger doors that open 75 degrees.

Although biased towards on-road prowess, the Forester XT has 225mm of ground clearance, with the lower grade models riding at a height of 215mm. "Heavy-duty raised suspension" will at least enable it to tackle rutted tracks and mildly rough terrain. Subaru also claims improved approach and departure angles for the new Forester. Subaru says that the increased ride height does not affect the new car's centre of gravity.

As with the present model, motive power will come from a choice of naturally aspirated and turbocharged/intercooled 2.5-liter Boxer engines, both revised to provide better low-end and mid-range torque for more responsive everyday performance, according to Subaru. In Japan, the only engines available will displace 2.0 litres.

Subaru has revised the variable valve timing DOHC heads for the naturally aspirated 2.0-litre Boxer (for the Japanese market, don't forget) and claims improved power, fuel economy and reduced emissions as a consequence.

A combination of larger diameter and increased length for the intake manifold runners, in conjunction with revision to the exhaust system have led to enhanced engine efficiency and, along with a redesign of the water jacket around the spark plugs to reduce the potential for uncontrolled detonation, has allowed Subaru to offer improved low and mid-range torque.

For the 2.0-litre turbo engine, Subaru has also re-worked the cylinder heads and adopted a resin intake manifold which reduces weight by 30 per cent and improves the airflow within the manifold. Other changes to this engine included the redesigned water jacket shared with the naturally aspirated engine, revised fuel injector nozzles and a secondary air system that pumps air into the exhaust port to combust unburnt hydrocarbons.

The automatic transmission option remains a four-speed box, but with sequential shift and upgraded mechanicals to raise efficiency, including an automatic facility that shifts the box to neutral if the car is at stand-still with the brake pedal depressed for an extended period. Subaru has revised the transmission for the sake of reducing friction within the unit and thus provide fuel economy gains.

Similarly, Subaru has updated the manual transmission with new ratios for improved performance and reduced fuel consumption.

Safety features fitted as standard for all models include the VDC and Brake Assist already mentioned, front seatbelt pretensioners and force limiters, dual airbags (with side curtains offered as an option in Japan) and a break-away brake pedal.

Cabin ambience is said to benefit from better interior trim, including double-stitched fabrics and high-grade plastics. To improve on the current car's NVH, Subaru has worked on body rigidity for the new car and has applied double-layered weather stripping along the base of the doors.

The centre console has been developed with modern users in mind and features a lidded storage bin with space for an A4-sized laptop (we could see it being a repository for large, Australian street directories as well), plus a removable tray for media players and mobile phones. With its padding, the storage bin lid doubles as an armrest also.

A retracting tray with built-in cupholder is located between the two rear seats.

Subaru Australia has not revealed the specification for Aussie market cars, but some of the features available in Japan that are likely to reach us, either as standard or optional features, include: seven-speaker premium CD/DVD audio unit with MP3 compatibility, hard disk satnav system with voice recognition, keyless entry with push-button starting, flat-folding front seats, 60/40 split-fold reclining rear seats and auxiliary 12V power outlets.

Both 16-inch and 17-inch wheels are available on the Japanese market cars and we would expect the 17-inch alloys to come with the 2.0XS equivalent in Australia, which we would expect to be a mid-range model with 2.5-litre engine), but they may also be available with the base model.

As for the exterior styling, there are some clear links with the current-gen Impreza, but we can't help feeling its chrome-laden grille and overall detailing has been tailored for American tastes. We're still eager to drive it, though...

- with staff

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