cars: Subaru Forester

Showing posts with label Subaru Forester. Show all posts

Subaru Forester S-Edition Wallpaper

Subaru Forester S-Edition Wallpaper

More from Sydney, this time from Subaru. Making its world debut at the Australian International Motor Show is a Forester concept called the S-Edition, which offers strong clues to a possible new variant next year.

The S-Edition builds on the existing Forester XT, but its turbocharged 2.5 litre engine offers 259 hp. a jump up from the 227 hp available from the XT. Torque is up too on this one, with 347Nm to the XT’s 320Nm.

Additions to the Variable Torque Distribution (VTD) All-Wheel Drive vehicle include a revised sport suspension, paddleshifters accompanying the five-speed auto gearbox, 17-inch high lustre alloy STI wheels and unique styling accents, including of course S-Edition badging.

Inside, new to the kit list are drilled alloy pedals, new Alcantara seat trim bearing S-Edition logos as well as luminescent instruments with a centre design unique to the model.

Subaru Forester S-Edition Wallpaper

2011 Forester Info released, First Subaru to Gain New 2.5-liter Boxer

While pics of the 2011 Forester have yet to make it out the gates (the car pictured above is a 2010MY) , here is a run-through of the new lineup for the U.S. market. Other than some minor styling updates such as the new grille design and a revised instrument panel with softer materials, the big news is Subaru's brand-spanking new boxer engine we first told you about earlier today.

The new naturally-aspirated 4-cylinder boxer unit gets different bore/stroke dimensions to increase displacement from 2,457 cc to 2,498 cc and a chain-driven cam (instead of a belt-driven one).

Output remains the same as before at 170-horsepower but at slightly lower rpm, while peak torque is up to 174 lb.-ft. at 4,100 rpm, versus the outgoing boxer unit's 170 lb.ft. at 4,400 rpm.

Subaru says fuel economy is improved with both 2011MY manual and automatic models returning 21 mpg city and 27 mpg highway vs. the 2010MY's 20/27 for manual and 20/26 for automatic.

The 2011 Forester's available trims will include the 2.5X (in base, Premium, Limited, and Touring), and the 2.5XT (in Premium and Touring), which keeps the current model's 224-horse turbo four.

The Touring trim option is new as well, making it the new high-line Forester.

For a list of pricing and standard features, scroll on down.

By Phil Alex

2.5X (starting at $20,495 for manual, $21,695 for automatic)

- Interior: single disc CD player (4 speakers with jack), three 12-volt outlets, carpeted floor mats, center console with sliding arm rest, fold-down rear seat
- Exterior: daytime running lights, rear window wiper / washer
- Tech: Brake Assist, Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC), engine immobilizer, remote keyless entry
- Optional alloy wheels

2.5X Premium (starting at $23,195 for manual, $24,195 for auto)

- Interior: 10-way power driver's seat, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, reclining rear seat, automatic driver's power window with Anti-Pinch Protection, tilt / telescopic steering wheel
- Exterior: privacy glass, panoramic power moonroof, roof rails, 17-inch wheels
- Tech: Bluetooth phone/audio, iPod connectivity, USB port, Sirius Satellite Radio capability
- Optional TomTom Navigation

2.5X Limited (starting at $26,495 for auto)

- Interior: leather seating surfaces, leather-wrapped steering wheel / shifter, automatic climate controls, cargo area tray
- Exterior: stainless exhaust tips, fog lights
- Tech: HD radio, 4.3-inch LCD screen, 6 speakers
- Optional rear-view camera, touchscreen GPS with 7-inch screen

2.5X Touring (starting at $27,995)

- Interior: one-touch folding rear seat backs, dual-zone automatic climate control, Sirius satellite radio, electroluminescent instrumentation
- Exterior: HID headlights, mirrors with integrated turn signals, silver finish roof rails,

2.5XT Premium (starting at $26,995 for auto)

- Interior: telescopic steering column, aluminum-alloy accelerator / brake pedal covers, a 10-way power driver's seat
- Exterior: stainless exhaust tips, fog lights, rear spoiler, unique17-inch alloy wheels, hood scoop

2.5XT Touring (starting at $29,995)

- see 2.5X Touring info

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Subaru Announces First All-New Boxer Engines in 21 Years

Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (FHI), Subaru's parent company, has released details on its third-generation four-cylinder boxer engine that will be available in 2.0-liter and 2.5-liter displacements. This is the first overall renewal since the second generation was introduced in 1989. The horizontally opposed flat 4 has been a mainstay of Subaru's Impreza, Forrester and Legacy models for some time.

Subaru claims that fuel efficiency is up by 10%, thanks to a compacter combustion chamber and longer stroke, variable-valve timing (which Subaru calls Active Valve Control System) on both the intake and exhaust valves, lighter pistons and connection rods, a more efficient and compact oil pump and separate engine cooling circuitry for both the block and head.

Power for the 2.0 L engine remains the same at 109kw / 150HP, while torque is up 5 Nm to 196.

The new boxer engine has a slightly higher compression ratio of 10.5 (up from 10.2), a shorter bore (84 mm, down from 92) and longer stroke (90 mm, up from 75). Subaru has yet to release details about changes to the 2.5-liter unit.

The first Subaru to receive the third-generation boxer engine will be the Forester.

By Tristan Hankins

Subaru to Update its Lineup to help welcome the Toyobaru Coupe into the fold

Besides adding its upcoming unnamed coupe to the lineup, Subaru will be working to get a little pep back in its step by bringing out some new designs over the next few years. What can we expect from the all-wheel drive anti-SUV brand? Autoweek had an interesting article charting the upcoming changes in Subaru's lineup.

Starting with the chunky-monkey Legacy and Outback models that are relatively new, the only update to be expected is a mild refresh/facelift coming in the next three or four years.

Hopefully Subaru will decide on a corporate face that doesn't look like 'meh' and throw it on those two, because right now they're as beige as a Camry. I mean, if Volvo and Audi could make their crossover cars (the Cross Country and Allroad) look cool, why can't Subaru?

Next is the Forester; if all goes according to plan, this fall will see the 2011 Forester available with Subaru's more efficient next-gen 2.5-liter boxer engine. We can expect major styling updates in the next two or three years. Also, though possibly limited to Australia, there could be a hi-po 300+ horsepower Forester coming down the line that would utilize the STI's 2.5-liter mill. Speaking of Imprezas...

After the recent revival of the STI sedan for 2011, the Impreza model line is expected to get a full redesign for 2012. Consumers should also look for a possible hybrid using Toyota technology. In my opinion, the Impreza is another car that's screaming for a little more character. Like the Legacy/Outback, what we need here is a decent shnoz and some family traits, not just big wings and fat fenders on highline models to make up for middle-of-the-road styling.

Unsurprisingly, the Tribeca crossover has yet to get another generation confirmed. After its original debut as one of the ugliest things on the road, the crossover thankfully got enough of a Jennifer Aniston nose job to make it bearable to look at.

Now, however, sales don't seem to be justifying bringing it back for another round. For 2012 there should be some mild updates in the form of standard options and whatnot, but those waiting for a second-generation Tribeca shouldn't hold their breath. This is a case where Subaru should just fiddle with the Forester, offer 7-seats in it, and then get rid of this model pronto.

Lastly, the most anticipated Subaru in a generation: the so-called Toyobaru Coupe. The new 2-door, which has been co-developed alongside Toyota's rear-wheel drive FT-86 coupe, should be getting an engine lineup similar to the Impreza's.

Look for a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated 4-cylinder and possibly a slightly de-tuned version of the STI's turbo-4. All-wheel drive is still unconfirmed, but one thing is for damn sure: as soon as all-wheel drive isn't offered on a rally-like-fighting baby Scooby like this, the dilution of the brand has gone from "possible" to "happening right now".

By Phil Alex

Source: Autoweek

Photo Gallery: Current Subaru Range