May 2000 Volume 81 Number 5 "serving the protectors"
Motoring
By Jim Barnett

More Comfort in Forester Upgrade

ubaru has given the popular Forester wagon a mid-term model upgrade, and released a turbo-charged GT version.

The upgrade has been substantial, with Forester and Limited models also available in the 2000 range.

Extremely pleasing to drive, Forester offers exceptional levels of passenger comfort. It is one of the more versatile vehicles in this segment, but not a heavy-duty, off-road machine.

A safe, well-built wagon, Forester loves dirt roads and, with care, can be taken into moderately difficult terrain.

Suspension changes have further enhanced handling characteristics on all surfaces. So the car is not only smooth and quiet on sealed surfaces but also performs exceptionally well on rough roads.

This new model sports:

• A redesigned nudge bar.
• A new grille.
• A lamp assembly with multi-reflector headlamps.
• Doors with new side-cladding.

With larger tail lamps, the rear bodywork is clearly more rounded; and new colour combinations - featured on the GT - are available in monotone or duotone finishes.

Inside are new seat fabrics and an improved instrument cluster, with twin tripmeters and outside temperature display. A three-point seat belt and headrest have been added to the centre rear-seat position, and all outboard seat belts are now height-adjustable.

In addition to Subaru’s safe and efficient All-Wheel Drive system, all Forester models are fitted with driver and passenger airbags, power windows and remote central locking with immobiliser.

Limited has ABS, air conditioning and self-levelling rear suspension, while the GT - in addition to its more powerful engine and standard features of other models - boasts:

• 16-inch alloy wheels.
• Fog lamps.
• CD player.
• Dual front-side airbags.

A $3,000 option pack can dress the GT up even further. It consists of Escaine leather-style upholstery, a sunroof and Cold Pack: heated front seats, external mirrors and windscreen.

Limited can be optioned with side airbags and sunroof for $2,500.

All manual Foresters now have Subaru’s innovative hill-holder system and, with the exception GT, a dual-range transmission. Unfortunately, the GT has no cruise control, which is standard on both lower-spec vehicles. Automatic transmission is available across the range for $2,000.

To improve stability and ride, Forester’s all-round independent coil-strut suspension has been retuned. Front suspension has been strengthened to suppress nosedive under braking. Four-wheel disc brakes are standard as is speed-sensitive, power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering.

Forester and Limited share the same horizontally opposed, flat four-cylinder (boxer) engine, which develops 92kW @ 5,600 rpm and 184Nm of torque @ 3,600rpm. The engine is a smooth and relatively quiet performer, which offers adequate levels of acceleration and good fuel economy.

A de-tuned version of the fabulous WRX, turbo-charged, 2.0-litre flat-four engine is fitted beneath the bulging bonnet scoop of the Forester GT. With 125kW on tap at 5,600rpm, the GT sits midway between the normally aspirated Forester and the standard WRX, which churns out a hefty 160kW.

While not in the same league as the WRX, the GT is a slick performer and offers brisk acceleration. With the turbo kept on, the boil supplies effortless power when needed. Acceleration from 0 to 100km/h is achieved in 8.4 seconds for the manual and 9.3 seconds for the automatic. This is well over two seconds quicker than Foresters with the standard engine.

The upgraded models cost $27,740 (Forester), $32,240 (Limited) and $37,740 (GT).

Test vehicle by United Subaru, Adelaide.

PASAweb   Index & Search   Top of Page   Comments   Email to Editor

The Police Journal Online is an official publication of the Police Association of South Australia and is published monthly. Editors of kindred publications can seek permission from the Editor to re-publish any Police Journal Online article. Copyright 1999  The Police Association of South Australia sustance