Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Wagons/Estates, Crossovers/CUVs, Subaru
2009 Subaru Forester leakage continues
The crew at NASIOC came across more leaked shots of Subaru's forthcoming Forester, and this time, we get a closer look at the new sub-CUV's interior. Like most of the new products coming out of the Subie camp, the inside receives a significant restyling that takes its cues from the Tribeca's interior arrangement, with flowing brushed metal accents that dip down towards the HVAC controls. In addition to improvements both in style and materials, the Forester will also benefit from Subaru's Sportshift transmission.
Unlike the leaks we've seen previously, this new exterior pic provides a much better view of the front three-quarters of the new Forester. The hood scoop is much more subtle than previous iterations, similar to the one found on the redesigned Impreza, while the ride-height keeps the Forester true to its off-road nature. We're expecting more to follow soon, so, as always, watch this space.Thanks for the tip Phil!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Alex 1:22PM (12/07/2007)
umm... what's up with that third side-view mirror? blind-spot mirror? couldn't they have just used something like volvo's blind-spot warning light?
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Donald 1:28PM (12/07/2007)
The mirror is only for the Japanese (JDM) market.
calebe 1:29PM (12/07/2007)
I think it has something to do with Japanese regs, They have had those mirrors since , well for ever. look at pics of cars from the 1960's and they have them.
Mayur 2:01PM (12/07/2007)
Why is this the first thing asked whenever there is a picture of a jdm car? It is JDM only and found on larger cars due to regulations.
pocmonster 1:29PM (12/07/2007)
Little side mirrors are typical of large JDM cars. Satisfies both style and function.
Why does the interior look EXACTLY like an Impreza? Not impressive at all. It's kind of a downgrade.
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AlexP 2:31PM (12/07/2007)
Isn't Mitsubishi doing that? PR guys will probably be screaming "IT'S OUR CORPORATE INTERIOR DESIGN SIGNATURE" or something along those lines.
mark lee 1:38PM (12/07/2007)
Autoblog, what were you talking about? The interior (at least the front dashboard, as shown in the photo) of this new Forester is almost the same as the '08 Impreza, not Tribeca!
Anyways, I hope it'll come to the US soon because I'm moving to Bellingham, WA in a few months and I think this car will do well in that kind of weather. Subaru better keep its fully loaded price under $32k otherwise I won't buy it (because I'm not thrilled about its look).
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Damon Lavrinc 3:28PM (12/07/2007)
Yes, it's similar to the Impreza's interior. However, the design was originally debuted on the Tribeca and it's infecting the rest of the brand.
broosewee 1:39PM (12/07/2007)
It's getting too big proportionally. At least this generation I hope a 5/6 speed transmission is available, the 4 gear auto in the current gen is a joke.
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Guenther 1:40PM (12/07/2007)
the picture at the top I don't hate quite as much as the last round of pics we saw. This might still be on the list.
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Louis Duran 1:41PM (12/07/2007)
Looks nice.
Put in a clean diesel please! The current 4-cyl boxer gets terrible MPG.
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Richard 2:19PM (12/07/2007)
I think that the lower than class-average mpg may be due more to the AWD than the engine.
Fuji Heavy DOES have a boxer diesel in development...not that we'll ever see it here in the USA...especially while ADM is convincing the Feds that corn is America's untapped energy reserve. Ha!
Alex 2:32PM (12/07/2007)
the AWD system is the reason for the poor MPG. A diesel would definitely help, but the diesel variant probably wouldn't be able to compete with other 4 pot oil-burners.
Louis Duran 3:24PM (12/07/2007)
Yeah, AWD does have an MPG penalty. However comparing the 08 Impreza with an 08 VW GTI looks pretty bad for the Subaru. The GTI gets over 10% better mileage in the new 2008 EPA rating system.The VW doesn't have AWD but weighs a little more and has more HP and torque. The GTIs turbo helps in both respects.
Subaru needs to do a little more work on their engine efficiency but overall they make decent cars. Maybe a small quick-spin turbo that is more geared toward efficiency vs. power would do the trick or a clean diesel. I'm glad Subaru is developing a diesel. Hopefully they will be able to sell it in the US.
I've been holding out on replacing my aging Audi for a diesel wagon or small SUV option to hit the market.
Richard 7:33PM (12/07/2007)
I dunno. I have had a couple of WV's and, now 6 Subies. In terms of quality and dependability, in my experience, Subaru is a better experience.
That's in addition to the better driving dynamics.
voodoobru 1:43PM (12/07/2007)
is this still based off the impreza? i can't seem to wrap my head that subaru would use their small car platform for a car this big?
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mk 1:44PM (12/07/2007)
The interior looks exactly like an impreza, because it has all the same parts. The Forester is a tall roof impreza Outback Sport wagon at heart, just square enough on the outside to look like a small SUV. It is an impreza variant.
And the hood scoop, which used to be a previous impreza part, is now a Legacy GT/Outback XT scoop. Not similar. The exact same, from the look of it. the hood shell is specific to the Forester and looks flatter horizontally than the new WRX and STI, but the scoop insert piece looks to be the very same part as the Legacy line. I have one on my hood, too. And it is a nicely designed piece. No need to re-invent that wheel.
Unfortunately, one of the rumors is that the Forester won't be getting the 5-speed automatic from the Legacy/Outback, but is going to stick with the 4-speed auto, but that is just what I have read.
All in all, not bad for a little SUV... But I think I am going to stick with my pleiades-badged sport sedan.
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Gregg 1:49PM (12/07/2007)
Years ago, Subarus used to have quirky styling. Now, their cars look bland, even boring. Whenever they have tried to stray from either bland or quirky, and introduce some swoops and doops, they get nailed for it (e.g., XT, SVX, Tribeca). So they go back to the cautious boringness of the new (or old) Impreza, the Forester and the Outback. The Tribeca has now been toned down (borified) without removing all of its style, so we'll see. But that new Forester looks so much like an amalgam of every little SUV cliche with nothing to bring of its own I hope Subaru can figure its way out of this rut in time.
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mk 2:16PM (12/07/2007)
That is a rut that subaru has been in pretty much forever.
Either too controversial or too conservative. They seldom seem to hit the nail right on the head with a truly good design.
XT was weird and quickly dated. The SVX was very nice, but expensive, and not traditionally styled. The late ninetys imprezas and Legacys were nice looking, but pretty conservatively styled.
Bugeye imprezas were controversial, and then changed, and changed again with the three-grille look. Now they have another mainstream-wannabe look that doesn't even look that good, IMHO.
The Tribeca tried to be different, and went the wrong way. The schnozz was ugly, and they countered it with bland.
The 2001-04 Legacys were so bland that people forgot the Legacy existed. Outbacks merely survived because they were different by being tall-ride height.
The 05-07 Legacy turned around, and is probably one of the most handsome, yet still not bold Subaru designs there is, but with 08 facelift, it is taking a slight turn toward the boring again.
Subaru just has a hard time hitting the mark with a really good design, aesthetically. Hardware-wise, they do pretty well. They still lack option choice and amenities in the Legacy/Outback line, though.
Mazda is one company that actually designs cars that do hit the design mark, like the new 6, and the current 3. (although the RX8 is a bit controversial, as well as the current Miata.) And other car companies, even Saab, are starting to hit the mark, aesthetically.
I wish Subaru would. The engineering and overall quality is quite good for the price, but the style just keeps being an obstacle that some overcome to buy a subie anyway, and others just shop other brands.
Imagine how well a good looking, good performing Subaru would do, if it got some press exposure and positive buzz. I'd love to see a Legacy-based SVX-replacement GT coupe, with STI performance be that car.
Doogie Fullhouser 1:59PM (12/07/2007)
Leakage?!? Well, at least you didn't say "Seepage".
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