New Forester Coming Soon!!

Here, in Europe, we have the XV diesel but no DR, sadly...
 
Now we're talking!!

I can't believe Subaru still have no plans in the pipeline for a turbo XV.

It'd be nice to be the first person to have an XV XT, (or would it be an XT XV)?

Anyway, sorry for digressing off topic a bit.
 
New Foresters

Having now read all the reviews I can get my hands on, it's pretty obvious Subaru has gone away from off-road. No doubt the new machines will be capable, bigger, nicer inside but they'll be more expensive, too. They'll be cheaper to run but materially slower.

I guess we are paying for the urban popularity of the Mark3. There's no more low range. The off-road capable X-Mode which plays with brakes and so on to handle rough terrain isn't what I want, personally, and only comes in upmarket CVT versions. I just don't like an auto, sadly.

The diesel is also only in upmarket versions and has the 6-speed box but no X-Mode. It would be fine for firetrails and so on but I couldn't see it handling really serious grades with standard gearing - though it's claimed first in the diesel is deliberately lower than the petrol.

The base model has a 2.0L 110kw motor, 6 speed manual and no low range. Personally, I've always thought my MY09 Forester X was gutless and the AT/s tyres I've put on it have increased its tendency not to respond to the throttle under 3000rpm. And that's the 2.5 engine. How it will be with 15kW less and less nm is fairly easy to guess.

This sounds a whiny post but I can't pretend I'm not very disappointed Subaru didn't build the car I wanted. It would not have taken much. A diesel with low range. Apparently, almost no one uses Foresters for the things we use them for. Fortunately, the cars have a reputation for lasting for ever, which mine will have to do, given there really are no real 4WDs that will fit into my terrace's 4.55m garage.

Whimper.
 
John, I have to agree with your sentiments.

I suspected that this was coming when I originally saw the current model Outback.
Then someone mentioned that it's built on the Tribeca floor pan, not the Liberty (Legacy) floor pan, and that explained a lot to me. It's HUGE. Sitting next to one at the lights the other day in Roo2, I felt that I had shrunk ...

Credit where it's due, RonnyRoo is a much better family car than Roo2 is, with more rear seat leg room, and the possibility of adults getting out the back doors without having their feet amputated.
However, it just doesn't work for me the way Roo2 does.

Thankfully, it is SWMBO's car, and coming from a wide body Camry, it is (only just) smaller than the Camry, and is a far better car all round. AND, most importantly, she loves it.

But I much prefer my SG to her SH ... Feels and drives more like my much-loved Impreza, but with more ground clearance, better gearing, far more torque (and KWs), LR and rear vLSD. Suits me very well. Great for touring. Comfortable. Quiet. Quick (rather too quick, according to one of my photography mates - "goes like poop off a shanghai", he reckons ... ). Just high enough to see over the crap along the road sides, without feeling like I'm back in my old LC ... . Small enough not to have to breathe in going between trees when on those itty-bitty tracks that lead to such interesting photo opportunities ...

The SG Fox will probably outlast me, anyway, so I don't care personally that Subaru appear to have lost the plot somewhat, IMNSHO. Sad to see though.
 
Well summed up Ratbag. I like to drive a manual too and can't see any new model Forester in my life and I just hope I can make my 07 SG last forever. I should have got the ECU reflashed years ago - 142kW at the wheels is just cream on the cake over the standard 126kW. I just wish it had less road noise on coarse chip and gravel. I rarely carry anyone in the back so the cramped conditions there don't worry me much. My daughter's '97 Corolla has a lot more passenger room.
 
Hello everyone,

I know I said I'd be going away, though I have been lurking around in the background. I have been off doing other things, but this thread has hit a raw nerve, so I thought I'd make a cameo re-appearance. I wrote to Subaru Australia about this and they basically said bad luck, and they'd pass it on to Japan. The decision not to release a 2.5 litre manual in the new range prompted me to look for a good deal on the last of the best range of Foresters, the MY06/MY07.

Having driven to the other side of town to test drive an MY06 XT (an hours drive at least), they would not even let me test drive it. So I went to another dealer for a low k MY06 XS, and the car had many problems. It was unroadworthy (oil leak and holed and rusty rear muffler) so I do not know how it passed the advertised 120 point safety check. It had been "Fully Serviced" by the dealership but the air filter was filthy. The XS turned out to be an X so there was a fair bit of false and misleading advertising going on. They have had all week to pull the ad since I told them, but the ad continues unchanged. They will not fix the oil leak or rear muffler. Fed up with both dealers, I rang Subaru Australia and told them, as the second dealership is an Inchcape one. Inchcape are Subaru Australia.

I also told them the reason I was looking was because of the decision not to release the new model with a 2.5 litre manual. Apparently they have had a lot of negative feedback on this decision. Can I suggest that if this does concern you, that you write to Subaru Australia or if overseas your equivalent and tell them what you think. It won't hurt and it might just do some good. There is no way I'm going to buy a 2 litre Forester, and the electric steering on the diesel is woeful. The 2.5 turbo will also be sadly missed.

Someone keeps handing Subaru a gun, and they keep shooting themselves in the foot. The whole idea of getting the Forrie over the XV was because of the 2.5 litre engine. Anyway, perhaps if they get enough of a reaction (e-mails from you) they just might change their mind and release a 2.5 litre manual for the MY14.
 
Great to see you again Rally, we've missed your wisdom & advice! :iconwink:

Rally said:
Someone keeps handing Subaru a gun, and they keep shooting themselves in the foot. The whole idea of getting the Forrie over the XV was because of the 2.5 litre engine. Anyway, perhaps if they get enough of a reaction (e-mails from you) they just might change their mind and release a 2.5 litre manual for the MY14.
Click to expand...

Its amazing what people power can do if there are enough voices, esp negative feedback. Perhaps if enough people around the world protest, they may not only bring out the 2.5 but also commit to a "real" 4WD with locking centre, decent DR & perhaps even a factory locker! :lildevil:

Shame bout your bad experience with the dealers, esp the Inchcape one. :shake:

Anyway, hope to see you again here :biggrin:
 
Nachaluva said:
What did this involve? Expensive?
Click to expand...
Part of the secondary air pump delete done by Boxer service at Brendale for $297. After that was done the ECU needed to be reflashed to get rid of the flashing light. So I went to Chip Torque at Nerang on the Gold Coast and purchased their Ezy-Flash Pro $1100 and had it dynoed $250. Can now choose from stock tune, valet tune, 95 octane tune, 98 octane low boost tune & 98 octane high boost tune. The latter is the one I leave it on and enjoy the thrill of every day. The extra thrust from 3000rpm to the cutout is exciting. And the engine is smoother in its response as it comes on boost. It is the alternative to spending over $4000 to replace the secondary air pump exhaust valves and the noisy pump that eventually stuff up on all 06/07 Forester, WRX & STI and Liberty turbos.
 
Got an email of Subaru the other day and thought id share all the info:


The fourth generation Forester is nearly here! The new model promises to be smarter and safer with new hi-tech luxurious interiors and advanced safety features. And it combines our famous Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and Boxer engine for legendary grip, balance and control to take you further.

STANDARD FEATURES ACROSS THE RANGE:

-Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive
-Horizontally-opposed Boxer engine
-Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) System
-Rear view reverse camera
-7 SRS airbags
-DataDot DNA® Security System
-Premium Multi-Function Display
-Bluetooth®2 wireless technology with hands free mobile communication and audio streaming
-Auxiliary jack and USB connectivity
-Climate control air-conditioning
-Soft touch interior with improved cabin space and comfort
-Rear spoiler
-Improved fuel economy and CO2 emissions (EURO5)
-Full size spare wheel

NEW FORESTER. NEW FEATURES:

We've taken the SUV where it's never been before. The same legendary DNA of its predecessors with multiple refinements, innovative state-of-the-art technologies, cutting edge safety features and even more luxurious and spacious interiors. Some of the innovative new features include:

X-MODE
Forester's new X-Mode makes it easier to safely navigate slippery surfaces and steep hills for enhanced off-road ability, with just one switch. Standard on Lineartronic™ CVT models.

EYESIGHT™ TECHNOLOGY
Subaru EyeSight™ 'driver assist system', features 7 separate functions and acts as a second pair of eyes to monitor the road ahead and recognise potentially dangerous driving situations. Available on 2.5i-L (option), 2.5i-S and 2.0XT Premium.

POWERED REAR GATE
With the push of a button the rear gate opens and closes to make it easy to load luggage or shopping when your hands are full. Available on 2.5i-S, 2.0XT Premium and 2.0D-S.

SUBARU INTELLIGENT DRIVE (SI-DRIVE)
SI-DRIVE lets you choose a driving mode to suit your driving style and conditions. Available on 2.0i-L, 2.5i-L, 2.5i-S, 2.0XT and 2.0XT Premium.
Why buy a watered down SUV when you can own the New Forester? Find out why it is Smarter, Safer and how it can take you Further. Don’t just take our word for it, see what Australia’s motoring journalists have to say.



1.SRS: Supplemental Restraint System. Effective when used in conjunction with seatbelts.
2. Bluetooth® is a registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG Inc. System operation ability is subject to the Bluetooth® wireless technology specification of individual’s phone.
Vehicle specifications and features are subject to change.


© 2012 Subaru (Aust) Pty Limited. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy

702C9D34-43FA-4BF1-8EB9-88C948C90BFB-8482-000017D7994C4AFA.jpg



And hears a off-road testing video

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6_eNeqvKEw"]2012 NEW FORESTER DEMO RU?????????????????? - YouTube[/ame]
 
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Terrific ... :( ... :(

NO MT in the 2.5L .... :exclaim:

If I ever lose my 2006 5MT/DR Forester for any reason, I WILL be changing to another make and model of vehicle. That makes me feel very sad just contemplating the possibility ...

:sad: :cry:

Subaru hasn't just lost the plot ... They have moved to another planet!
 
Probably about as fast as it can go with all that weight and only 2 litres struggling to move it. Why is it they show how "good it is off road", yet delete the dual range box and 2.5 litre engine? What market are they actually chasing? It is more than annoying when they say look how good this thing goes off road when they delete the two things that are needed for it to be so- the dual range box and the 2.5 litre engine. Maybe they just want to piss us off. They probably used the CVT for this shoot. Let's see them showing a manual petrol going up a steep rocky track, or even fording a deepish river crossing. I know when I did a river crossing last year, I had to go back to low range first because the drag on the car was so great. So Mr Subaru, what I'd really like is a dual range 6 speed with 2.5 litre engine with the option of locking diffs and sway bars that can be disconnected and connected in the cabin via a switch. That's the sort of progress I want to see. And some decent salesmen at dealerships as well
 
I actually thought the vid was very impressive, that was some serious tyre lift but it still made it through :biggrin:

Still comes back to that was on level ground however, not so sure it could've done that on any sort of incline. & you still have to get there & do other things like tow a boat or trailer, etc, without flogging the engine.

Did anyone hear that weird clicking noise at 28sec? :shrug:

Rally said:
Probably about as fast as it can go with all that weight and only 2 litres struggling to move it.
Click to expand...

lol :lol:

So Mr Subaru, what I'd really like is a dual range 6 speed with 2.5 litre engine with the option of locking diffs and sway bars that can be disconnected and connected in the cabin via a switch.
Click to expand...

That would be so sweet! & a decent DR, perhaps like a Suzuki's 1.8:1 or even better :lildevil:
 
Nachaluva said:
Did anyone hear that weird clicking noise at 28sec? :shrug:
Click to expand...
Yup, that noise is characteristic of the VDC system. I always tell my passengers not to be alarmed when they hear it because it is quite an awful racket from inside the cabin.

I think that video is a very impressive demonstration of Subaru AWD + VDC doing its thing.
 
That was an interesting read. Thanks for sharing that info with us waggaclint :)

The only good thing I can see is that you get a full size spare wheel.

I'll also 2nd what you said Ratbag.
Subaru has most definitely lost the plot. They haven't just moved to another planet, they've moved to another :censored: universe :furious:

Rally said:
So Mr Subaru, what I'd really like is a dual range 6 speed with 2.5 litre engine with the option of locking diffs and sway bars that can be disconnected and connected in the cabin via a switch. That's the sort of progress I want to see.
Click to expand...

That is spot on mate.
I would also like to see the turbo (as a 2.5 litre not 2.0 litre) being available in D/R. Now that would be sweet :cool:

Regards
Mr Turbo
 
mr turbo said:
The only good thing I can see is that you get a full size spare wheel.
Click to expand...

Wow... things are getting pretty ordinary when you've gotta advertise that! Praps if they don't put that line in, people might think it comes with an oversized donut hole at no extra cost! Am very glad Scooby2 came along when she did.. a Subaru without a manual transmission would be a little ordinary for me
 
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