Friday 26th September 2003

Towcar of the Year

What's best for hauling trailers? And why do Caravanners ignore such fine machinery?

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Subaru’s new Forester sports utility has been voted ‘Towcar Of The Year 2004’ by The Caravan Club despite fierce competition from 52 other cars – the largest number of entrants in the competition’s 21-year history.

The turbocharged Forester 2.0 XT – which also scored a category win in the ‘Compact 4x4’ class – beat off challenges from such diverse cars as the new VW Touareg V10 TDI, BMW 330d Sport Touring and Mercedes-Benz E270 CDI Elegance.

Launched in the UK last October, the new Forester has helped increase Subaru sales by almost 20 per cent so far this year and boasts several features ideal for anyone wishing to tow.

Caravan Club magazine Editor and one of the judges, Barry Williams, said: "Great all-round performance from the Forester. Turbocharging pushes up the power and torque to provide fast pulling power and Subaru’s unique combination of flat-four engine and four-wheel drive aid stability and surefootedness.

magazine Editor and one of the judges, Barry Williams, said: "Great all-round performance from the Forester. Turbocharging pushes up the power and torque to provide fast pulling power and Subaru’s unique combination of flat-four engine and four-wheel drive aid stability and surefootedness.

"Another feature unique to Subaru is the ‘hill-holder’ clutch – a real boon for caravanners. Bodyshape has a short rear overhang and the latest version has a nicer cabin than before, with better-quality controls."

All ‘Towcar Of The Year’ entrants are put through three gruelling days evaluation by towing experts at the Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire.

The six driving judges assessed towing performance with points awarded for traction, stability, braking acceleration and hill-starts. The cars were also tested for space, versatility and comfort.

Despite the accolade don't expect to see many Forresters hauling sheds around the UK next summer. Caravanners are a stubborn bunch and you can still expect to see the majority of wheely bins pulled by ageing, overladen, badly balanced Rover 820s or underpowered Astras.

Subaru Links

[Swilly]

I didn't know PH had a 'Caravan' forum.

Is it next to the 'I love hogging the middle lane' forum

Loverly caravan by the way

[McNab]

swilly said:

I didn't know PH had a 'Caravan' forum.

Yes, it has. Meant to be for target practice only, but...

Seriously though, try towing a fully grown bull with one of these things and it will sit down on its backside with its nose in the air (I mean the Forester - not the bull).

Discovery still best of all

[Nils Baker]

My M5 tows beautifully why is this not in their test?!.

[PetrolTed]

They only included new or updated cars in the test.

[jacko340r]

I recently replaced my Impreza with new Forrester 2.0XT. Its a cracking car, nothing like as quick but much more comfortable and nicer to drive.....yes i'm getting old.

[nubbin]

I bet that nice olde worlde hotel were realy pleased to see that plastic pig outside their mansion!

[DennisTheMenace]

McNab said:

Discovery still best of all

may be on to a new sport there McNab .......
Off road shedpulling the one who gets thier shed to the end wins an awning and some matches to dispose of said white wheeled shed

[McNab]

No need for matches

There was a story long ago about a publicity stunt which went slightly wrong.

Gentleman by the name of Moss was towing a caravan down an alp with a works rally Sunbeam-Talbot, when it suddenly overtook him under braking just before a hairpin.

The remains were found 1,000 feet further down.

[nmlowe]

What about the Maybach? I bet all that torque would be great for towing a Caravan!

[tony.t]

I think the caravan spped record is still held by that excellant tow car, the Dodge Viper, at somewhere north of 125mph.

[Fatboy]

tony.t said:

I think the caravan spped record is still held by that excellant tow car, the Dodge Viper, at somewhere north of 125mph.

It was broken by Redline Magazine, using Martin Hadland's Reyland Motorsport 550bhp Escort cosworth, sits at about 127mph IIRC.

Top gear tried to break it with a 500 bhp Evo 6, but it blew up on the second run...

>> Edited by Fatboy on Tuesday 30th September 12:33

[wedg1e]

I can understand (well, almost) the attraction of having a static caravan/ mobile home/ alternative residence, about 35 feet by 12, in, say, the Lake District... but why the hell does anyone want to do Didiquoi impressions around the landscape, regardless of towing vehicle? Insist that they have to tow with a 1.1 litre hatchback, and the attraction should sharp wear off; leaving the roads of Devon, Corwall, Cumbria and Scotland wide open for us real men in our hairy-arsed sports cars.