Subaru Forester 2009 News

Subaru has launched a major 121,754-vehicle recall to fix a potential fault which can cause the brake lights to fail (though the brakes themselves will still work), with every Forester, WRX, Impreza and XV sold over a particular timeframe impacted.

Volvo, Subaru, Land Rover, Citroen and GM have issued safety recalls for some vehicles due to defective manufacturing issues.

The Forester is Subaru’s top seller here, and was the best-selling compact SUV for the previous four years. The current model has slid slightly in run-out mode, but the next one – due in the first quarter of 2013 – still has big shoes to fill. Looking at the leaked brochure for the Japanese market, it’s a more attractive vehicle than the outgoing one. And there’s likely to be little visual change for Australia – although the mechanical specs could vary.  Despite the warping of the curved pages, the images show a more streamlined body, with cues from the latest Impreza and the XV softroader. Two spec levels are shown, L and XT – the latter getting a sportier nose and wheels, plus extra chrome trim.  The leaked pages show the next Forester has grown 35mm longer and 15mm wider than the current car, and will measure up 4595mm long, 1795mm wide, 1695mm high and have a 25mm longer wheelbase at 2640mm. Luggage capacity will also grow from the current 450 litres to between 488-505 litres in various models. Overseas markets will kick off with two 2.0-litre engine choices: the naturally aspirated 110kW unit from the Subaru XV, and a twin-scroll turbocharged one for the XT, with transmission options a six-speed manual and a CVT – in both cases driving all four wheels. However a diesel is also on the cards, and would likely be on the wishlist for Australia. The brochure details show that Subaru’s safety ‘Eyesight’ technology is likely to be offered on range-topping variants. However, Subaru Australia spokesperson David Rowley says parent company Fuji Heavy Industries is “not confirming that what we’re seeing is the next Forester” – or any other details. “When it will be unveiled? FHI have told us there is no definite date for the unveiling or for an official on-sale date in Japan or elsewhere,” he says. However he acknowledges that if it is the Forester, Subaru practice means there could be some changes in the engine line-up we get. “There are actually quite significant variations in spec in different Subaru markets,” he says. “We’re not in a position to disclose what our specs might be, but there could well be different technical variations. “There will be a variety of drivetrains available but we can’t confirm what those will be.” However he can confirm the significance of the Forester to Subaru’s sales here. “It’s our top-selling model, and the completely new-generation Forester will be hugely important to us,” he says.

The Forester S-Edition concept builds on the turbocharged following of the existing Forester XT.  It is powered by a turbocharged 2.5 litre boxer engnie with 193kW of power, which is 24kW more than the XT and produces 347Nm of torque, up 27 Nm.Other features are paddleshift five-speed automatic gearbox, revised sports suspension, Variable Torque Distribution (VTD) all-wheel drive, STI 17-inch high lustre alloy wheels, alcantara seat trim with S-Edition logos, drilled alloy pedals, luminescent instruments with centre design unique to the model and S-Edition badging and styling accents.The bonnet wing mirror on the display model is only for Japan which will not get to see the vehicle for another month.  Subaru Australia managing director Nick Senior says it is an honour for Fuji Heavy Industries to unveil the vehicle in Sydney."It points towards an exciting development in our Forester range early next year,'' he says."Forester is firmly established as Australia's best-selling compact sports utility vehicle, with the most recent addition to the range being the diesel variants that are proving a sales winner for our all-wheel drive brand."There's no denying Forester's appeal to Australians in both urban and rural environments, so we think this concept will only add to the huge interest."Since going on the market in June, diesel variants have represented 29 per cent of Forester sales.  The S Edition will have a $4000 premium over the XT.Senior says the high value of the Australian dollar had not affected Subaru prices as they deal in the Yen which has been as strong as 106c in the past year.The Subaru stand is also showing the recently revised widebody WRX and WRX STI, including the newly introduced sedan variant and paddleshift auto.  Senior commends the one Australian motor show per year concept.“We will see more world reveals with one show on the calendar,” he says.  “We will also have some exciting displays at Mebourne next year.  Maybe not a world first; but instead of five new things we will have one big thing.”He suggests July as a better time to stage the show.  “You just come off the high of June sales and July and August are a bit of a hangover, so a July show would put more spark into sales.”

Subaru Australia will take the covers off a high-performance version of the compact crossover wagon that will sit above the existing turbo XT model in what is expected to be a world first.

The tweak to the Subaru Forester is a typical value-added deal, with extra equipment on the basic X model for no added cost. The difference is a Columbia connection, which puts a badge on the car and a $500 shopping voucher into the wallet for everyone who takes one of the cars.  "Columbia sportswear fits our recreational image . . . well, like a glove," says Subaru Australia spokesman, Dave Rowley. "We did a similar thing about a year ago with Columbia and it worked well, so we decided to re-visit it." The price of the Forester X Columbia is unchanged from the regular X at $33,990 driveaway, or $35,990 for the auto, with the upgrade running to 16-inch alloys, fog lights, roof cross bars, a cargo tray and rear step panel.  Of course, there is special Columbia badging and the gift voucher. Subaru Australia has ordered 1050 cars for the deal, which means it is unlikely to last beyond February for a car that's the best seller in its class. AT A GLANCESubaru Forester X Columbia Price: from $33,990Body: five-door station wagonSafety: six airbags, ESP, anti-skid brakes, all-wheel driveEngine: 2.5-litre four cylinderOutput: 126kw/229NmEconomy: 9.3L/100kmEmissions: 220g/km  

Of the 12 off-roaders tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in the United States just four earned a top rating of ``good'' and three were ``acceptable''.The tests were designed by the institute to provide new roof strength ratings.The Volkswagen Tiguan has the strongest rated roof and the Kia Sportage the weakest.Roofs on the Honda CRV and Ford Escape are marginal, and the Kia's is poor.The Tiguan, Subaru Forester, Jeep Patriot and a car sold in the US, the Honda Element, earn good ratings.The Suzuki Grand Vitara, Toyota RAV4 and Mitsubishi Outlander rated acceptable.The Chevrolet Equinox and Nissan Rogue, both just sold in North America, also rated acceptable.A spokesman for the Australian New Car Assessment Program and RACV chief engineer, Michael Case, says the US test add another dimension to safety information for new car buyers.He says ANCAP will be studying the findings.“The roof crush rating is a useful measure of how the roof will perform in a real rollover,’’ he says.“Rollover is the next area to go in developing tests and rating vehicles.”He says ANCAP will need to look at the IIHS process, particularly how to assess it.The new rating system is based on institute research showing that occupants in rollover crashes can survive better if their off-roaders have stronger roofs.Vehicles rated good must have roofs that are more than twice as strong as minimum federal safety standards require.``We anticipate that our roof strength test will drive improved rollover crash protection the same way that our frontal offset and side impact consumer test programs have led to better protection in these kinds of crashes,'' institute president Adrian Lund, says.The Institute recognises that vehicle roof structures have become stronger over the past few years.Part of the reason is that carmakers have made structural improvements to earn better front and side crash ratings.Strong A and B pillars help prevent intrusion in these types of crashes and also help hold up the roof.``It's not surprising that Volkswagen and Subaru earn good ratings in our new roof test because these carmakers were among the first to ace our front and side tests,'' Lund says.In the United States more than 10,000 people a year are killed in rollovers.When vehicles roll, their roofs often hit the ground with considerable force, deforming and crushing.Stronger roofs crush less, reducing the risk that occupants will be injured by contact with the roof itself.Stronger roofs can also prevent occupants, especially those not wearing seatbelts, from being ejected.In the US, about 25 per cent of deaths in car and van crashes are rollovers but in off-roaders this jumps to 59 per cent.The RACV’s Case says the incidence of rollovers in Australia is lower “but there is still a high chance of death or serious injury”.In the institute's roof strength test, a metal plate is pushed against one side of a roof near the A-pillar.To earn a good rating, the roof must withstand a force of four times the vehicle's weight before reaching 12cm of crush.   

The impeccable safety record, the reliable boxer engine and the constant improvements to ride, all contribute to my fondness and expectations. So it’s slightly disappointing to reveal that the latest Forester doesn’t do much for me at all*. And it’s not because it doesn’t deliver in the aforementioned areas – it does. It just looks so damn drab. But that’s no surprise; the Forester has always struggled aesthetically. It’s a real wonder, given our growing demand for style and looks that it has been such a successful car. I suppose ‘successful’ is an understatement; this car has bobbled around in the top three in its class for over a decade. It’s the most popular car Subaru sell. So what’s going on here? How is this happening? Is it because it has such a good reputation? I don’t think these heady days for the Forester can last without dramatic improvements to styling, inside and out. First it was the boxy, two tone brick; now it’s bigger but still boring. The base model interior is plasticky and unimaginative. Like I said, I’m being harsh because I like Subarus. Great engine and safety, and it’s a comfy drive. I just think they can do a lot better in the looks department. Do you agree, people? Am I going crazy and simply missing something obvious? Why are they so popular? Help? *The XT turbo does look a bit better with its big bonnet scoop, buldging guards and wheel arches and other muscular features, but I am talking about the XS, the base model that most of us will be buying.

It’s a lucrative market, and Subaru wants a bigger slice of it for their Forester – the vehicle that pioneered the segment as a crossover 10 years ago. Forester has sold 105,000 here in that time, but apart from a stint as leader in 2006 has mostly been the bridesmaid while competitors like RAV4 take the sales trophy. But now Subaru is making a stated bid to reclaim the crown with a larger, fresher and cheaper third generation line-up. Exchange rates, platform sharing with Impreza and volume — with Australia until recently being the second largest market for Forester behind the US, before being overtaken by Japan with the newcomer — mean that various spec levels will arrive between $1000-$2500 cheaper than the outgoing models. Pricing The base model Forester X has shed $1500, priced now at $30,490 for the five-speed manual (four-speed autos are $2000 more across the range). The XS is $1000 lower at $33,990, as is the XS Premium at $37,490. The manual XT drops $2000 at $38,990, while the auto is $2500 less than the predecessor at $40,990. The top-level XT Premium has trimmed $2400 to hit the market in manual version at $44,990 while the auto is down $2990 at $46,990. Packaging With a more pronounced grille and strongly styled fascia, the new arrival leans more towards SUV cues than the previous wagon-like Foresters. And the strengthened body has also answered the customers’ call for more space. It’s 110mm taller, 60mm wider and 75mm longer on a 90mm larger wheelbase – most of which as been given to the rear passenger and cargo area, while larger openings make for easier access. Overhangs have been shortened slightly for better manoeuvrability and ground clearance has been raised by 20mm to take the X and XS to 220mm and the XT to 225mm, which gives a smidge more leeway but still keeps the Forester in the light offroading category. Drivetrains The 2.5-litre boxer four in the X and XS models brings a 4.1 per cent power boost with 126kW at 6000rpm and a slight rise in torque with 229Nm at 4400rpm. Outputs for the WRX-sourced 2.5-litre DOHC turbocharged four in the XT models – which Subaru is positioning as a `stealth Rex for lad dads’ — remain unchanged with169kW at 5200rpm, but the 320Nm of torque kicks in 800 revs earlier at 2800rpm. There’s no sign of a diesel in the new generation, and while one will arrive in the new Outback next year there are no plans for it to move across to the Australian Forester line-up. It’s a Suby, so drive goes to all four corners and is infinitely variable: changing from 95-front/5-rear bias to 50/50 depending on throttle, load and speed inputs. Transmission choices are a four-speed sequential auto or a five-speed manual with a low range option. A five-speed auto is not available here yet – and there’s no firm word on its future – but Subaru says the four-speed is “significantly different, with improved shift response and timing”. Equipment The base model gets four-speaker audio with controls on the steering wheel, 16” steel wheels with full-size spare and the usual electric bits. Standard safety equipment includes Vehicle Dynamics Control, anti-skid brakes with assistive systems for extreme braking, hill start assist, and front, side and curtain airbags – which inflate even in an offset collision to protect your noggin from rebound off the side windows. So while the bar for crash test stars is rising, the Forester still scores five for occupant safety and three for pedestrian. On the creature comfort lists, XS adds front foggies, 16” alloy wheels, automatic airconditioning, stacker and two more speakers with the MP3 audio system and a retractable rear tray with cupholders. The XT gets bonnet scoop, integrated rear spoiler, 17” alloys and auto-levelling xenon headlights with pop-up washers. Premium packs on XS adds leather upholstery with eight-way power on the driver’s seat and sunroof while on the XT you also get touchscreen nav system with DVD/CD player and Bluetooth compatability. Workload The weight penalty is 80kg more on the X and XS models, while the XT has gained between 30-35kg depending on fit-out. This has probably undermined fuel economy improvements, but the manual turbo still manages a significant 7.8 per cent benefit (and the auto 5.4 per cent) at 10.5L/100km each while the base engine with manual trims 3.1 per cent at 9.3L and the auto comes down 1 per cent at 9.6L. Towing capacity remains at 1400kg, which is still useful for a lot of boaties and horse people. And the larger cargo ability could be attractive for the active family vote that Subaru is bidding for. The Forester’s best month ever was 1688 in June 2005 – around the time a deal was done with Europcar — but it generally averages about 1000 per month, which they’d like to see lift to 1100 with the new model. On the road The interior is noticeable larger, with the cargo bay and rear seat leg squeeze that plagued previous models having been pretty well solved, and back passengers are treated even more with reclining seats. The swooping dash lines that are spreading across the Subaru range smarten up the cabin, but while the gunmetal version of the alloy-look plastics looks okay – as long as it wears well – the paler one a poor imitation, and the mock woodgrain/taupe leather combination is well outside the stated `young families’ target market. They’re more likely to appreciate the cobalt and purple graphics on the instruments, especially under the vodka bar blue ambient lighting. There’s good visibility, particularly to the rear – a rarity with most vehicles in the SUV category – and its now much easier to find a comfortable driving position with reach joining the tilt adjustment on the steering column. The versatile centre console in the auto versions can be switched around for a range of storage needs, and can happily take large drink bottles – although normal sized ones tended to rattle around in the caddy. While the turbo (as expected) spat out plenty of energy for the job with a flat torque delivery across the range, the natural breather was no slouch either when hitched to the five-speed manual. Smaller wing mirrors mean less wind rush, although one of the test cars developed an irritating whistle in the passenger side mirror. There’s also less wind noise from the redesigned roof rails and around the A-pillars, making for a quieter cabin overall. Despite being larger and heavier, the dynamics are still there. It doesn’t behave exactly like a sedan, but the slug-like personality of the true SUV never appears. Lower-mounted engines and transmissions give a better centre of gravity and what you get is signature Subaru grip and balance. The ESP appeared a lot earlier in the auto XT model — stepping in every few minutes over a gravel road, while the manual XS over the same stretch only coaxed it out twice — which Subaru says is down to differences in suspension bushing and tyres. We didn’t encounter any terrain that begged for the low range offered with manual transmission, but the previous model was always capable on a beach fishing track and the like. And the compact SUV is these days more of an urban dweller anyway. Inside View Subaru Forester Price: from $30, 490 Engines: 2.5-litre horizontally opposed boxer four-cylinder (126kW@6000rpm, 229Nm@4400rpm) 2.5 litre DOHC turbocharged four-cylinder (169kW@5200rpm, 320Nm@2800)  Transmissions: five-speed manual with low range, four-speed sequential automatic Drive: constant all-wheel-drive, input-variable from 95-front/5-rear to 50/50