2013 Subaru Forester: first images of new mid-sized SUV

Published by enthusiast website Carscoop, the images confirm the all-new fourth-generation Forester SUV will share much in common with the Subaru Impreza hatch with which it shares its basic underpinnings.

Like the Impreza which launched in Australia earlier this year, the new Subaru Forester features aggressive ‘hawk-eye’ headlights and a bold upright grille, along with chunky proportions and boxy tail-lights at the rear. Aiding front visibility is a new small window at the base of the A-pillar near the side mirrors.

The images reveal two distinct variants, the luxury-focused 2.0i-L (in red) and the hotter turbocharged 2.0XT (in silver), the latter scoring a unique front bumper with large side air intakes, sporty alloy wheels, roof rails and chrome side skirts.

The cabin appears almost identical to the new Impreza, featuring an information screen high on the centre stack, a satellite navigation screen in high-grade models and a simple multi-function three-spoke steering wheel. Silver trim highlights offset the otherwise dark grey interior.

The new Subaru Forester goes on sale in Japan in November and will roll out across Europe and the US in early 2013.

Subaru Australia’s David Rowley confirmed the 2013 Subaru Forester will launch locally early in the first quarter of 2013, either in January or February.

The leaked brochure content confirms the new Forester will be 4595mm long, 1795mm wide, 1695mm tall and will ride on a 2640mm wheelbase – making it 15-35mm larger in all directions.

Boot capacity will grow from 450 litres to 488-505 litres, depending on the variant.

Carscoop reports the Forester will launch in Japan with two 2.0-litre four-cylinder Boxer petrol engines: a naturally aspirated unit shared with the Impreza producing 110kW, and a turbocharged powerplant churning out a heftier 206kW.

The entry-level engine will be available with a six-speed manual transmission and a continuously variable transmission (CVT), while the turbo model will be teamed exclusively with the CVT.

A 2.5-litre petrol engine and a 2.0-litre diesel are also expected to be offered in other markets, likely including Australia.

The brochure also confirms high-grade Forester variants will be equipped with the company's EyeSight safety technology, incorporating adaptive cruise control, automatic pre-collision braking, lane departure warning and vehicle sway warning, among other functions.

Like the Impreza, all variants are also set to feature seven airbags and a reversing camera.

More details on the new 2013 Subaru Forester will be revealed closer to the car’s overseas launch in the coming weeks.