November 2002 Volume 83 Number 11 "serving the protectors"
Motoring
By Jim Barnett

An irresistible force

For sheer performance, no production car comes close to Subaru’s latest WRX STi. It is sensational on the road and, after driving it, you come to realize why Subaru does so well on the world rally stage.

Even with its sporty exterior, it is still a wolf in sheep’s clothing, as nothing can prepare you for the force you feel as the turbo comes on line. It offers neck-snapping acceleration, superb road-holding and immense driving pleasure, thanks to its sporty interior and delightful six-speed manual gearbox.

With a solid, robust feel to it, this car is superbly finished and well-appointed. Its interior is smart, functional and highly driver-orientated. It has body-hugging sports bucket seats, a small leather-bound Momo steering wheel, drilled alloy pedals, a neat gauge layout and that fabulous short-throw manual gearbox to keep the driver happy. Push the right pedal too hard, however, and the driver is kept frantic, as redline on the tacho appears in an instant.

Although not the sportiest-looking car in this bracket, it is perhaps the most functional. The four-door STi has ample space for front and rear passengers and a large useable boot. Its chunky, wedge-shape design is enhanced by large, gold alloy wheels fitted with wide low-profile tyres. Large gold-coloured Brembo brake callipers glare through the wheels, and the rear end features a chunky wing and large exhaust outlet. Up front, the bonnet-mounted air intake is substantially bigger than that on the standard WRX.

Subaru has tweaked its 2.0-litre, four-cylinder boxer engine to realize 195kW of power. This is 35kW more than the standard model and only 20kW short of what its Group N rally car can muster. Subaru quotes some impressive figures: 0-100km in 5.45 seconds and a maximum speed of 235km/h (limited).

In addition to breathtaking acceleration, STi displays sensational road holding characteristics. Even though the suspension feels much tighter than on the standard model, it is not uncomfortable. The chassis and suspension work superbly with Subaru’s renowned all-wheel-drive system to produce superior road grip.

At $55,130, STi includes:

• Dual airbags.
• Remote locking.
• Power windows.
• Cruise control.
• Keypad alarm and immobilizer with hi-jack function.
• Sports ABS with EBD.
• Six-disc in-dash CD audio system.
• Climate-control air conditioning.

First-class finish

Subaru’s new MY03 Forester features not only more punch but also new exterior styling, enhanced safety, and a new, more spacious interior.

On the outside, it maintains a distinctive appearance even though every panel has been changed. It is certainly more purposeful-looking than the previous MY02 model. Substantial work beneath the surface has produced gains in cabin strength and torsional rigidity, while reducing weight by using aluminium for the bonnet and bumper beams.

Inside, the cabin is wider and taller, and therefore provides additional occupant space. A height-adjustable driver’s seat and an extra adjustment on the steering column and front-seat slide enhance Forester’s driving position. Rear passengers get more shoulder, hip and foot space, while each seat position has a headrest and lap-sash seat belt.

Forester’s new dash layout is smart, functional and user-friendly. Subaru has combined a number of different materials, textures and colours to produce a comfortable and stylish ambience. Seats are very comfortable and supportive and, as usual, there are stacks of useful storage pockets and bins around the cabin. A new hexagonal-shaped tailgate opens to reveal a flat cargo area, which can be enhanced by dropping one or both of the 60-40-fold rear seats.

The best news lies under the bonnet: a more powerful 2.5-litre horizontally-opposed Boxer engine, which replaces the previous 2.0-litre power plant. Power is up from 92kW to 112kW and torque has increased from 184Nm to 223Nm. This results in a substantial improvement in performance and gives Forester the power it needs to compete against its main rivals, CR-V, RAV-4 and X-Trail.

New Forester is available in three specification levels, X, XS and XS Luxury pack. Base model X manual ($30,990) features:

• Air conditioning.
• Cruise control.
• Power windows and locks.
• Single CD audio.
• ABS.
• Dual airbags.

Prices range through to $39,990 for the XS Luxury auto, which features:

• Leather trim.
• Sunroof.
• Climate control.
• Front side airbags.
• Six-stack CD.
• Self-levelling rear suspension.

The XS auto proved light and easy to drive on a Police Journal test. Its bigger motor provides faster acceleration, more relaxed country cruising and safer overtaking. On rough dirt roads, there are few safer cars: the low centre of gravity and All-wheel-drive system keep it very tidy. Ride comfort is good, and Forester’s fit and finish is first-class.

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