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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