Subaru Forester (2009): first official pictures

By Phil McNamara

First Official Pictures

27 December 2007 14:50

This is Subaru's all-new Forester estate, set to be unveiled at January's Detroit motor show. Devoted fans won't be disappointed, because the 2009 model year Forester dogmatically sticks to the Forester formula: a jacked up, four-wheel drive wagon, but with a newish look, more refinement and improved safety levels, says Subaru.

Today's boxy, oldschool Volvo-look makes way for a boxy, newschool Mitsubishi Outlander-look. The lamps, grille and glasshouse are slightly more expressive than on the current car, but Subaru isn't breaking any new ground for car design. Good job, because last time that happened, the Tribeca MPV was inflicted on the world. It's all about functionality, hence the big tailgate, raised ride height/seating position and plastic underbody protection.

Naturally, the Forester employs Subaru's trademark four-wheel drive system, split 50:50 front:rear, to get countryfolk to the parts other estate cars can't reach. Subaru has only confirmed Foresters running the 2.5-litre petrol engine. The turbocharged unit currently kicks out 230bhp and 236lb ft, but tweaks will produce more low-end torque and mid-range mettle, claims Subaru. But the big news for Europe is the first Forester diesel. The diesel boxer engine, with a 2.0-litre capacity and outputs of 163bhp and 251lb ft, is being rolled out across the Subaru range, with the Forester in the queue behind the Legacy and Impreza.

By Phil McNamara