Filed under: SUVs, Japan, Crossovers/CUVs, Suzuki
Scans aplenty of 2009 Subaru Forester
Click image for a gallery of more scans
As is always the case, there'll be little left to talk about regarding the new 2009 Forester when Subaru officially pulls the wraps off its overhauled compact SUV on Christmas day. Japan's scoop-crazed magazine culture has rewarded us with a slew of new scans showing the '09 Forester in a variety of trim levels. Bigger in every dimension, it's definitely got a more traditional SUV look to it, with a view from the front that's quite reminiscent of the current Mitsubishi Outlander. The two launch engines in Japan will be a NA 2.0 boxer with 148 hp and 140 lb-ft of torque and a turbocharged version generating 230 horsepower and 234 lb-ft. Also revealed is news that seven JDM trim levels will be offered -- four with normally-aspirated engines and three with the turbo mill (and none of them bearing the STi moniker). While we all watch the days count down to the new Forester, we're sure that many more photos and specifications will be leaked. We'll bring them to you, and we'll also have the "real" photos and info when it all becomes officially official later this month. Our first in-person look at the car will also come in mid-January at the Detroit Auto Show.
Thanks for the tip, Vlad!
[Source: Drom.ru]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
strongbadinator 1:31PM (12/03/2007)
Saab headlights? What?
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Mehul 1:38PM (12/03/2007)
Better than the current one but still boring.
I'd buy a Rogue or Rav-4 instead
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Fumiki 1:49PM (12/03/2007)
If you enjoy driving and know anything about the turbocharged 2.5 liter boxer engine or Subaru's AWD tech you won't even bother test driving the other cute utes you mentioned...
Leaf 2:09PM (12/03/2007)
...you're accusing the current Forrester of being boring... and then you mention the Rav-4 (a Toyota product) as an alternative?
The Forrester (particularlly the XT) is a far, FAR more interesting and engaging car than a Rav-4. The Rav is conservative, safe, and reliable but fun?? Not a chance.
Never driven the Rogue... but I doubt it has the bite of a Forrester XT.
This new Forrester makes me weep.
Bonehead 2:16PM (12/03/2007)
I disagree. The Rav4 V6 Sport drives extremely well. It pulls 0.83g on the skidpad which is more than the last forester and matches a 2008 WRX. The brake are great and the steering ratio is fast. I agree that the Forester will be faster to 60, but it may not handle better than the Rav4. Plus the Rav4 has better fuel economy and does not require premium fuel.
Rav4 really needs a better transmission though, or atleast one you can pick the gears in.
Mehul 2:40PM (12/03/2007)
I was talking about looks. It looks boring compared to some other SUVs out there.
Maybe the forester has a better engine but this new one looks much bigger than the current one, so we dont know how the performance will be. 148HP is too little. Maybe the 230HP turbocharged one will be good. But RAV4 V6 still has more horses (269HP).
Snowdog 3:20PM (12/03/2007)
Rogue == lame. The Rav at least has the engine going for it. But what Subaru has that both lack is a real AWD system that drives all 4 wheels (at least with the manual transmission).
The vast majority of "AWD" systems on the market are front wheel drive, until you spin the wheels, then they send some power to the back end.
Subarus drives all 4 wheels all the time. You don't need to spin any wheels, and you will be less likely to spin any wheel with power split 4 ways.
Adam 1:45PM (12/03/2007)
Saab 9-7x, no?
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Corey L 1:45PM (12/03/2007)
I've been a Scooby fan ever since seeing a GC8 (22b, anyone?), but that's been deteriorating due to the recent styling of their line.
The legacy GT wagon was on my shopping list, but they've since discontinued it for '08 here in the US. Very disappointing.
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deadlydave 2:06PM (12/03/2007)
Agreed. Subaru is betraying their heritage. Instead of making small, nimble, ugly cars that appeal to a group of enthusiasts...they're making large ugly cars that appeal to nobody.
I bought the ugliest car they ever produced, the Baja Turbo, and then WHAM, they come out with the new Impreza, Tribeca, and this Forester. You guys did not spend years on the WRC just to push this garbage.
SherbornSean 2:27PM (12/03/2007)
Still ugly
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broosewee 2:49PM (12/03/2007)
Let's hope an STI version is in the works. I wouldn't put money on it though. The current Forester XT rocks, real hard.
New body is... umm... bigger, unfortunately.
P.S. - The 22B is almost legendary.
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stefan 3:18PM (12/03/2007)
The current foreste STI has around the 280BHP.
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Guenther 3:56PM (12/03/2007)
second model to be launched since the "debut" of the boxer diesel and still no mention of actually using it in something...
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Louis Duran 2:57AM (12/15/2007)
No doubt. Subaru made all sorts of noise about putting a diesel in cars and I haven't seen anything since the original announcement.
Guillermo 9:32PM (12/03/2007)
Redefines the word Dull...
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Jeff 10:21PM (12/03/2007)
Some people say dull.....I say Sleeper, at least in XT form.
Evan 9:59AM (12/04/2007)
Snowdog,
The Rogue in no shape or form is lame.
For the money it is one of the best buys out there
and still made in Japan.
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ryan 1:33PM (12/05/2007)
dual exhausts on the turbo-me likey =P
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87soob 2:39PM (12/24/2007)
Hmmm. I don't look at it and think "homosexual" anymore. So now I just have to wait another 15 years with my manly 87 sube for the newer manly ones. If they scrao the 5 main lunatic engine to the 3 main geniused.. wow.But by that time the dual range 87 manly sube will be worth 5 forestors...so much stress to ponder. what can I do? This is a very difficult subject. Slap some 31inch bfgoodrich nobby mudders on the 07 forestor and call it good. A new subaru dream for us people that actually drive them....maybe.
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