Last Update on : March 12, 2008
Subaru chops Forester prices
.jpg) Subaru has introduced a new generation Forester that is bigger, safer and better equipped than its predecessor, but up to $3000 cheaper on some models.
The drastic pencil sharpening is partly down to the strength of the Australian dollar against the yen, says the Subaru's managing director Nick Senior.
"Obviously the currency has allowed us to bring the car to market with the level of equipment it has but we are also a significant Forester market for Subaru globally, so that helps as well," Senior says.
Senior says Subaru has addressed the main criticisms of the previous Forester range with a new model that has more rear legroom, a quieter cabin and better fuel consumption.
The maker claims rear legroom has increased by 109mm, while front legroom is 29mm better. Head and shoulder room have also increased. Overall, the car is 75mm longer, 110mm taller and 60mm wider than the previous model.
The bigger body and additional safety equipment make the car between 25kg and 80kg heavier than its predecessor, but fuel consumption for the two revised engines in the range is down by between one and eight per cent.
On the 2.5-litre engine, consumption for the manual drops from 9.6 litres per 100km to 9.3L/km, while on the turbo version, consumption is down from 11.4L/100km to 10.5l/100km. The car can still run on standard unleaded, but Subaru recommends premium.
Engine power is up slightly on the naturally-aspirated 2.5-litre, from 121kW to 126kW.
The turbo's power output stays the same at 169kW, but there is now up to 20 per cent more torque - or pulling power - at low revs. Maximum torque also kicks in 800rpm lower. The car continues with revised versions of the existing four-speed automatic and five-speed manual.
The new generation Subaru Forester has more safety equipment, with six airbags in place of the previous four and standard stability control, which can prevent a skid, across the range. It recently received a five-star rating in independent crash testing by the Australian New Car Assessment Program.
Unlike most systems, the Forester's stability control cannot be switched off, although traction control, which prevents wheel slippage by cutting engine power, can be deactivated for driving in sand and snow.
The company's technical services manager, Derek Ashby, says there is no reason to have switchable stability control on an off-roader.
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