Turbo Forester is back, officially
The one credible performance SUV returns to the UK with a 280hp turbo
But while everyone had heard of the Impreza, there was another Subaru that gained itself a smaller but no less devoted following: the Forester.
New car not a looker in base spec
The current car didn't get the turbo option, but the new one, arriving around May next year, will.
It looks just as ungainly as the old ones ever did, but under the bonnet there's the option of a 280hp 2.0-litre direct-injection petrol turbo, even in the UK. Not so good news is that it'll only come with a CVT ‘Lineartronic’ automatic gearbox.
First-gen S-Turbo gained a cult following
The upside is that Subaru is a company stuffed with brilliant engineers (if not designers) so we're certain it won't be completely pony. We know it'll have eight pre-progammed ratios for example.
It did get us thinking about manual Forester turbos, and that led to a root around in the classifieds.
First up, this Forester STi (pictured top). This really was the Forester everyone had been crying out for, and while it was never an official UK import, this one’s in stock and ready to be imported as soon as someone puts down a deposit.
It doesn’t quite have the sleeper chic of the original and it's pricey, but it’s still a neat alternative to an Impreza – and with 280hp from a 2.5-litre boxer turbo that was later fitted to the third-generation Impreza WRX STi, as well as a six-speed manual 'box, we reckon it’s the fastest standard production Forester that Subaru ever made.
If the STi’s a bit too showy for you, you could try this second-generation UK market XT Turbo for a shade under £4,000. It’s got a few toys, including heated seats and cruise control, plus of course the all-important turbocharged boxer, again the 2.5-litre version, and with reasonable mileage and a full history, it’s likely to be fantastically reliable. The best bit, though, is that its plain-jane looks will mean only the very well-educated will have any idea of its potential.
The cars have certainly fallen from grace and their owner profile now is disappointing, but a turbocharged Forester will see off pretty much anything else where performing is the key, over outright performance.
As soon as the Impreza turned into a success, despite IMs incompetence, then IM immediately started to profiteer from the restricted supply and great demand (2.0l Sport being a case in point, although there are many).
Theyre completely inept.
I'd always through that particular sobriquet was best applied to the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT. Even my humble Hemi 5.7 makes 360hp.
What was that you were saying about 280hp?
Apparently (if standard) your 5.7 only makes 322bhp and at best manages 0-60 in 6.9 and 130mph. (unless you have a brand new US market one)
Even a standard UK Forester with only 226bhp will do 0-60 in 5.8 and 134.
The STI apparently has the same performance stats as the GC SRT despite having 100bhp less. And I reckon would give one a good beating on a road or track.
the above is pretty much spot on; to use the forester as an example. The Forester in this guise is a brilliant design, car like yet capable off road etc, they then turn it into just another SUV and it gets lost in the crowd, then Skoda bring out the Yeti IMO a modern version of the Forester and sales soar...
And all for about 2 grand.
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