| All-new Model Preview | Detroit Motor Show 2008 | Subaru Forester |
The new Forester from Subaru is looking to broaden the car's appeal to take on the Land Rover Freelander and Toyota RAV4. Sleeker styling, more interior space and the arrival of a new turbodiesel towards the end of 2008 are aimed at increasing sales.
The new Forester is 110mm taller, 45mm wider and has a 90mm longer wheelbase than the
outgoing model. There's also increased ground clearance - that now stands at 225mm - to improve the Forester's off-road ability.
There's a pair of 2.0-litre 'boxer' four-cylinder engines, one normally aspirated and one turbocharged. The non-turbo engine is fitted to X and XS models, while the turbo version is only available with the XT. All Foresters come with four-wheel drive as standard, while Subaru's SI-Drive that allows the driver to sharpen steering, suspension and throttle response will be an option.
The Forester goes on sale in the UK in March this year and prices will be announced nearer then, though you can expect small increases over the outgoing model. The new 2.0-litre turbodiesel will arrive towards the engine of 2008 and is expected to put out about 150bhp and carbon dioxide emissions of less than 150g/km.
Alisdair Suttie - 3 Jan 2008