2009 Subaru Forester Preview

Subaru has issued this photo of the 2009 Forester, the mid-size crossover that will make its world debut at the Detroit auto show in mid-January.

New 2009 Subaru Forester is redesigned with more traditional SUV styling cues, and with a bigger body intended to make the Forester more competitive with the growing crossover class. The new version sees its wheelbase grow by 3.6 inches to 103.0 inches, and its overall length is up by about three inches too--which Subaru says maintains the "trim exterior packaging" that current Forester owners want. With the stretched length comes a stronger body structure, Subaru promises, and a ground clearance of up to 8.9 inches.

The engines motivating new Subaru Forester are both flat fours, one turbocharged and one normally aspirated. Power outputs haven't been released but Subaru says in a press release that the 2.5-liter fours will offer better low-end and mid-range torque. Manual and automatic transmissions will be offered; manual-equipped cars will get a hill-start helper that keeps the Forester from rolling backward when launching uphill.

Inside, the Forester gets a higher grade of interior trim and an auxiliary jack for MP3 players. A navigation system and satellite radio are options.

© Source: thecarconnection
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First Look 2009 Subaru Forester

Tall wagon. Small crossover. Sleeper rocket. Lesbo-chic whisk-about. The Subaru Forester has been called a lot of things, but one thing it’s never been called is good-looking. That all may change for 2009, when the Forester undergoes its first ground-up redo, featuring a three-inch-longer wheelbase, three inches of additional length, and gratefully, all-new, more macho styling.

What won’t change is its tall wagon, raised-suspension program, but the ’09 model’s off-roading capability should be heightened—literally—thanks to no less than 8.9 inches of ground clearance. Helping on-road demeanor is its stiffer, all-new platform, which utilizes a new double-wishbone rear suspension for improved cornering prowess.

As with the current model, the ’09 Forester will be powered by a choice of four-cylinder boxer motors, each displacing 2.5 liters and available in both naturally aspirated and turbocharged forms. Better news still is that it will continue to be offered with a manual transmission, now with “Incline Start Assist”. Oh, and of course, being a Subaru, the Forester will never send its power anywhere if not to all four wheels.

The Forester will be available in a variety of flavors, from the base Forester X to the range-topping L.L. Bean Edition. Each will benefit from a more spacious cabin rendered in higher quality materials intended to distance it from its econo-car past. New interior features and options include double-stitched seat fabrics, advanced audio systems, and—finally—a navigation system. The little crossover’s safety résumé also grows to include standard stability control, in addition to surround-sound air bags with a rollover sensor.

© Source: caranddriver
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