Redesigned Forester coming to Detroit, first unconfirmed sketch materializes
While there's no way to verify if this particular sketch foretells the future of the Subaru Forester, we think it's probably not too far off the mark. Considering Subaru's blandification of its lineup – from the Impreza to the Tribeca – the new nose seems entirely plausible, and the upkicked D-pillar seems to be all the rage nowadays.
As in the past, the Forester will be built atop the Impreza platform, so we can expect a slightly longer wheelbase that won't necessity Yoga-like poses for passengers entering and exiting the rear seats. More trunk space out back is also assured, while power will likely come from the same naturally-aspirated 2.5-liter found in the base Impreza. We're not going to hold our breath (again) for an STI variant, but we think it's simply a matter of time before Subaru throws in the turbo'd mill from the WRX to make another XT version of the Forester.
[Source: NASIOC via Straightline]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
John P. 2:19PM (11/13/2007)
Subaru does kinetic does ford edge headlights, they should have followed this idea with the wrx. That said, this is a nice looking Subaru. I like it.
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why not the LS2/LS7? 2:18PM (11/13/2007)
The tiny rear quarter window is as stupid on this car as on the Murano and other cars it came from.
I don't have a problem with Subaru's "blandification". They've made some ugly cars and it's time to fix them.
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Jason 2:41PM (11/13/2007)
Gah, I totally agree. What's with all these huge rear pillars now? Can you even call them pillars anymore? They're more like walls, or panels...
One thing I really liked about the previous Suby wagons, the Forester in particular, was the huge windows and relatively small pillars... Made for great visibility and made the interior feel larger and more spacious.
Even the waist line on that sketch looks raised a lot. Why even have a roll down window if it doesn't start until my shoulder? Whatever happened to the good old days of being able to roll the window down on a nice day and drive around with your arm/elbow out the window?
See this is one of the reasons why I like driving 'real' SUVs and trucks (or older vehicles) -- they're one of the last few remaining bastions of well-proportioned greenhouses (with the exception of Hummer obviously); tall windows, slim pillars (though they're getting chunkier), and a waist line that doesn't start up at my shoulders.
iamhoff 3:11PM (11/13/2007)
Couldn't agree more! Had a Murano as a dealer loaner, and almost got hit every time I tried to back out of a parking spot. Those windows may be trendy, but they're unsafe, IMO.
strongbadinator 5:48PM (11/15/2007)
I'm pretty sure the Forester XT used an STi block.
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djSyndrome 2:33PM (11/13/2007)
Turbo's already confirmed for '09, at least in Canada.
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1382044
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Robert 2:36PM (11/13/2007)
Lose the funky d-pillar and it's a nice car.
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mk 3:03PM (11/13/2007)
upswept corporate D-pillar from tribeca, and impreza 5-door, check.
Front end styling... (IF it stays close to this rendering) could be quite cool.
I am a subaru fan, but don't want an SUV. If this sort of face, rather than the Tribeca or WRX face gets put on the next Legacy, it would be nice.
All hope for Subaru may not be lost, but it sure is arriving late.
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Jordan 2:49PM (11/13/2007)
Does anyone else see Saturn in this front end treatment? Look at the grilles on the new Aura and Vue and they have the similar chrome strip with logo. Literally the first thing I said when I saw the picture was which Saturn is this? Then I read Subaru and I was like "they have become Hyundai/Kia stealing designs, look at the new Tribeca with the Chrysler/SAAB front end."
Any one agree?
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VP 2:53PM (11/13/2007)
As soon as i saw the picture without reading the headline, i too was thinking Outlook/Acadia. It shares a lot of similarities with those two cars on the front end.
- 9:53PM (11/13/2007)
Get some glasses fool. What's with all this I see Saturn crap in a well proportion design. Stop comparing these sharp crisp and fluid lines with your ugly shape burritos.
Jordan 10:50PM (11/13/2007)
Obviously you have not seen or aren't familiar with the new Saturns. The Saturn Sky in my opinion is one of the most striking designs on the road. And both the Aura and Vue have been lauded for their clean, crisp, and attractive styling.
Take a look at both the Aura's and Vue's front ends below and you will see what I am talking about.
http://www.mileoneparts.com/sfimages/214336/contentimages/SATURN%20AURA%20CAR.jpg
http://www.cars.com/features/autoshows/2007/chicago/coverage/images/08_Saturn_VueRedline_frtang_cad_430.jpg
Jordan 10:50PM (11/13/2007)
Obviously you have not seen or aren't familiar with the new Saturns. The Saturn Sky in my opinion is one of the most striking designs on the road. And both the Aura and Vue have been lauded for their clean, crisp, and attractive styling.
Take a look at both the Aura's and Vue's front ends below and you will see what I am talking about.
http://www.mileoneparts.com/sfimages/214336/contentimages/SATURN%20AURA%20CAR.jpg
http://www.cars.com/features/autoshows/2007/chicago/coverage/images/08_Saturn_VueRedline_frtang_cad_430.jpg
Kanos 2:53PM (11/13/2007)
I like it, a lot actually. Sure the rear pilliar is over done and I could do without it, but everything else is really nice I think. Looks a little BMW/Benz'ish. Sleak sharp lines, not all bubbly like the first gen Tribeca. This is what we need on the streets instead of the big ungodly SUVs with huge dimensions. I don't need to feel like I am in a boat on the road, I want to feel one with the car. SUV's these days feel like your at the helm of an ocean liner and they drive like them too!!
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Doogs 3:15PM (11/13/2007)
Awesome.
Put that boxer diesel in it and call me when it hits dealers.
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Kumar 3:24PM (11/13/2007)
x2 on the diesel.
*and add a 6 speed manual transmission and I'm in.
500 3:26PM (11/13/2007)
"...Subaru's blandification of its lineup" Huh? As others have said, they are simply correcting some hideous mistakes of recent years. And this looks ten times more stylish than the current Forester!
Like Jordan and VP though, I instantly thought "Saturn" when I first saw the sketch.
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ed 4:43PM (11/29/2007)
x3 on the diesel, or at least a hybrid option...
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mk 4:01PM (11/13/2007)
BTW, on the engine comments,
I would think they would keep a couple of variants of the non-turbo Forester, but like they do now, the XT and XT Sport are turbocharged, like the WRX.
The XT Sport almost looks like the JDM Forester STI, but not the power level, 6MT or DCCD. (which probably aren't that hard to swap over from an STI.)
Bottom line, they offer the current Forester in non-turbo and turbo variants, The Impreza/WRX, and the Legacy 2.5i and GT turbo variants, as well. I doubt that the new Forester will be left without a turbo option for long, if at all.
The Tribeca is the only model without a turbo option, but it only gets the 3.6 H6/5-speed Automatic, an engine which no other model gets. Legacy/Outback gets the 3.0R H6 as a top line variant, and Impreza lineup doesn't get the H6.
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Paul Y 4:23PM (11/13/2007)
I'm sure if you look around enough, someone has already put an STI drivetrain into the Forester Sport. Subarus are like Legos, making for super-easy drivetrain and suspension swaps. You really can mix-and-match parts, and even convert an early 90s FWD Impreza into a WRX or STI, if you can score a good parts car.