Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA, Tuners, Wagons/Estates, Hatchbacks, Subaru
SEMA 2008: Subaru trots out Forester XTI concept and tweaked WRX
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Even though our lust for Japan's forbidden fruit has been sated by three generations of the Subaru STI and Mitsubishi EVO – and now, the Nissan GT-R – one guilty pleasure is still out of reach. The Subaru Forester STI has always held a special place in our hearts, combining a healthy dose of practicality with a dash of rally-bred performance, and that's carried over to the Forester XTI concept. Packing the WRX STI's turbocharged 2.5-liter boxer four-cylinder putting out 315 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque, a cat-back exhaust, reworked suspension, STI wheels and a deep red/black paint job, the Forester XTI is begging to go into production. Here's hoping Subaru wises up and gives it the green light.
Joining the Forester on the show stand is a five-door 2009 WRX tweaked by Subaru Performance Tuning (left) with a cat-back exhaust, short-throw shifter, OZ Botticelli III 19-inch wheels, a lower chassis brace and strut tower brace. The 2.5-liter four has gotten a 10-hp boost in output (from 265 to 275 hp) and an additional seven lb-ft of torque, and sitting beside that guy is the STI that's making its big screen debut in the next installment of the Fast and Furious franchise.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
tankd0g 5:03PM (11/05/2008)
The Forrester looks miles better than the WRX. Probably because it doesn't have the stupid Chrysler minivan grill.
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eb110americana 8:54PM (11/05/2008)
"The Forrester looks miles better than the WRX."
Agreed. It's all the go plus utility but minus the ugly (although a bit boring, especially for SEMA).
"Probably because it doesn't have the stupid Chrysler minivan grill."
Please, the Impreza only dreams of having a design as cohesive as the Town & Country. Send all complaints to Subaru not Chrysler.
Torrent 5:12PM (11/05/2008)
That forester looks pretty good.
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tankd0g 5:15PM (11/05/2008)
P.S. The F&TF STI is easily the ugliest abomination ever to wear the Subaru badge. And I'm even taking into account the BRAT.
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MachinaDC5 5:16PM (11/05/2008)
Yeah, the STi wasn't really the best looking car in general, and to rice it out really made things much worse.
MachinaDC5 5:15PM (11/05/2008)
I'd rather see a Legacy, Subaru's best looking offering.
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masarak 5:17PM (11/05/2008)
Subaru, why do you keep breaking my heart? The XT Sports was all extra show and no extra go. Make me believe in you again... being the XTI to the USA.
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PG 6:00PM (11/05/2008)
That F&F WRX looks like the Devil's Minivan.
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gerrrg 6:44PM (11/05/2008)
That Forrester XTI looks like it's based on the same chassis as the 2008 Scion xB.
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Jeff 8:02PM (11/05/2008)
Come on Subaru! We need that Forester!
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Stilor 1:20AM (11/06/2008)
Yep, Forester looks much better than STI... But still much worse than '07 Forester. I just don't understand why Subaru let go of the distinctive Forester style in favor of some unpronounced tribeckish shape (or, one might say, outlanderish or santafeish).
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Mike!!ekiM 9:04AM (11/06/2008)
Still waiting for something on the efficiency side. I guess Big Oil doesn't subsidize efficiency.
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Paul 1:56PM (11/06/2008)
this would be a sweet addition to the subaru line up. foresters sell VERY well as they are now, i wonder if a forest "sti" would move
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G-Money 12:43PM (11/11/2008)
The Forester XTI would be a great all-around car - a bit of practicality from the size standpoint, but with plenty of performance.
@ Mike!!ekiM
As you probably know, Subaru does have the R1e:
http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/28/subaru-r1e-electric-vehicle-ready-for-sale-early/
I see where you're coming from, but SEMA is geared toward the performance aftermarket and the R1e is no Tesla roadster. Subaru would be more likely to show off their electric car and/or deisel models at a traditional auto show.
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