Cars - Subaru Forester

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	Cars - Subaru Forester

The Subaru Forester, released in the US in 1998, is a lightweight, small crossover SUV (or arguably a station wagon) based on the Subaru Impreza platform and drivetrain. As with all Subaru models marketed in the United States of America and other international markets since the early 1990s, the Forester is equipped with an all-wheel drive (AWD) transmission. Subaru advertising employed the slogan "SUV tough, Car Easy" to appeal to the SUV-oriented market; and to this end, the Forester has features associated with SUVs such as a large, boxy cargo area and more ground clearance than other Subaru models (although it employs a car-like unibody chassis, rather than the body-on-frame construction associated with trucks and larger SUVs). The Forester, up until recently was also sold in India as a Chevrolet alongside other Chevrolet models sold there, however since General Motors no longer holds an ownership stake in Subaru's parent company, Fuji Heavy Industries, this arrangement is in question.

In 2003, a turbocharged Forester, the XT, was released alongside the naturally-aspirated X and XS. The XT model features a 2.5 L turbocharged engine mated with the same Mitsubishi TD04 turbo charger used in the Subaru Impreza WRX. In fact, the engine in the 2004-2005 Forester XT is identical to the U.S.-market Subaru Impreza WRX STi except for using the smaller TD04 turbo from the WRX, a smaller intercooler, different exhaust system, and different engine management programming.

The 2003 model Forester features weight-saving refinements such as an aluminium hood, perforated rails, and a hydro-formed front frame. The Forester was Car and Driver magazine's Best Small SUV for 2004, 2005 and 2006.

2006 (Current Model)

US

For 2006, the Forester exterior was updated with an arguably more upscale look. Just two models are produced:

2.5 X - naturally-aspirated 2.5 L flat-4, 173 hp (129 kW)
2.5 XT Limited - turbocharged 2.5 L flat-4, 230 hp (171 kW)

Australia

The Forester has :

X - naturally-aspirated 2.5 L flat-4, 121 kW (162 hp)
XS - naturally-aspirated 2.5 L flat-4, 121 kW (162 hp)
XT - turbocharged 2.5 L flat-4, 169 kW (226 hp)

The difference between the X and the XS is the styling of the car through its accessories. Both the XS and the XT come with the option of having a "Luxury Pack" fitted - allowing for leather seats and a sunroof. Besides the difference in engine between the X or XS when compared to the XT, there are other minor styling differences like the addition of a MOMO steering wheel as standard on the XT model.

Gallery

Image:Subaru Forester X 2006 front right.jpg|Subaru Forester X 2006 at the Melbourne International Motor Show Image:Subaru Forester XT 2006 front right.jpg|Subaru Forester XT 2006 at the Melbourne International Motor Show Image:2004 Subaru Forester.jpg|2004 Subaru Forester

Awards

Winner Australia's Best Recreational Four Wheel Drive in 2000
Winner Australia's Best Recreational Four Wheel Drive in 2001
Winner Australia's Best Recreational Four Wheel Drive in 2002
Car and Driver's Best Small SUV 2004
Car and Driver's Best Small SUV 2005
Car and Driver's Best Small SUV 2006

Trivia

In India the Subaru Forester is marketed as a Chevrolet Forester, and has a naturally aspirated, 2.0L flat-4, 120 hp engine.

[ Visit the complete Wikipedia entry for Subaru Forester ]

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