Melbourne Motor Show: Subaru Forester
February 29, 2008 by Matt Brogan
Subaru’s stylish new generation Forester lays claim to greater space, enhanced versatility and more advanced safety features than its’ predecessor, not to mention looking the goods too.
Including a comprehensive array of standard safety features, the Forester has achieved a maximum five star ANCAP rating and is sure to impress discerning family and adventure buyers alike with All Wheel Drive, ABS (includes BA & EBD), Stability Control, Front, Side and Curtain Airbags all included in the list price.
Powering the line-up are two engines, both 2.5 litre petrol. The naturally aspirated variant found in Forester X and XS models produces 126kW @ 6000rpm and 229Nm @ 4400rpm with the turbo charged version seen in XT models making 169kW @ 5200rpm and 320Nm @ 2800rpm.
Pricing starts at $31,990 for the base model manual and ranges through to $47,490 for the top of the line XT Premium auto. As will all Subaru models, symmetrical all wheel drive and the legendary boxer engine are of course standard.
Print it: 
where’s the diesel?
Lcat, don’t be so impatient. The diesel’s just coming on stream in Europe and this will be the priority market for quite some time.
Of greater concern – why the Chrysler front end?
Why are Subaru interiors so dull and old school?
^^ aye aye captain!
but i thought car shows were about show casing new & future offerings. obviously subaru would prefer us to remain ignorant! missed opportunity i’d say.
STI version from japan would be nice
hideous interior
SUBARU -
The wagon-car-company!
Cheers
F-0
Auto is a four speed.
I would have purchased the vehicle except for the incessently annoying change down from 4th to 3rd every time I gunned the XS auto. On inspection of the specifications I noted the rather large jump in gear ratio from 3rd to 4th in the auto when compared to ratios in the manual. The trouble is that I’m getting a bit old and lazy to drive a manual, so my decision to buy a subi is now on hold.