The 2011 Subaru Forester model year has a new headline model the ‘S’ edition which features WRX’s turbocharged 2.5 litre boxer motor. The rest of the 2011 Subaru Forester range features a host of enchancments and upgrades.
Australia’s best-selling compact sports utility vehicle, the Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive Subaru Forester, offers a new range-topping turbocharged variant for 2011 and refined, torque-enhanced new naturally aspirated engines.
The S-Edition is the most powerful Forester to date, using the legendary WRX’s turbocharged 2.5 litre to produce 193 Kilowatts of power and 347 Newtonmetres of torque.
Forester S-Edition is joined by a revised line-up that includes the new FB naturally aspirated (NA) horizontally opposed Boxer engine – replacing the EJ unit first introduced in 1989.
It offers improved low-end torque, increased by six Newtonmetres to 235 Nm at 4100 rpm, while refinement, NVH and drivability are also greatly enhanced.
The engine will become the platform for a range of refinements throughout the Subaru range over the next few years. Emissions of the automatic transmission NA engine are reduced from 227 grams per kilometres to 220 g/km.
Forester S-Edition includes several styling and engineering cues unique to the variant including:
193 Kilowatt engine – 14 per cent per cent more powerful than the ongoing Forester XT
Five-speed STI paddleshift automatic transmission
Black grille with chrome-style highlight
Silver roof rails
Subaru Tecnica International (STI) 17-inch alloy wheels
WR blue colour option – for a strictly limited period
Sport interior with a blue tone
Alcantara and leather seat trim
S-Edition seat embroidery and blue stitching
Sporty instrument display
Blue-tone foot lights
Special gear shifter
Unique cargo door logo
Forester S-Edition is priced at $50,990 Manufacturer’s List Price (MLP), just $3500 more than the XT Premium automatic.
New Forester represents outstanding price value across the range, with no change on entry-level and just $500 on most other models.
All Foresters feature a new-look grille, while wing mirrors on XS and above feature integrated indicators.
Inside, all dashboards include a darker finish and darker tone metallic-type highlights for enhanced appearance.
The upgraded specification includes Bluetoothâ wireless technology compatibility* across the range, while reversing cameras are standard in XS and above. Non SatNav models offer USB connectivity.
Foresters with cloth trim offer an upgraded more water resistant material.
XS and XT variants feature a new design 17-inch alloy wheel, while XT has a more aerodynamic rear roof spoiler.
Nick Senior, Managing Director, Subaru Australia, said: “We have had increasing customer interest in a more powerful Forester and are delighted to be the first export market for S-Edition, which made its worldwide debut at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney last October.
“It combines the best of two winning Subaru formulas – WRX and Forester, the latter of which is firmly entrenched as Australia’s favourite compact SUV.
“New Forester’s also significant for introducing FHI’s third generation boxer engine, which offers improved response.
“Interior finish has come under the spotlight too and there are clear refinements to both the look and feel.
“I’m also delighted that Forester XS and above get a reversing camera as standard.
Every Forester features DataDot security and has an independent five-star crashworthiness rating for occupant safety from the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP).
Forester S-Edition
Forester S-Edition uses a re-tuned version of the WRX’s turbocharged 2.5 litre horizontally opposed Boxer engine.
It produces 193 Kilowatts of power at 6000 rpm and 347 Newtonmetres of torque between 2800-4800 rpm.
It incorporates a high flow turbocharger for optimum power output and a high-density monolith catalyst. This suits the high power and reduces pressure loss in the exhaust system.
The Engine Control Unit (ECU) is specially tuned to suit Forester S-Edition power, fuel efficiency and emissions.
S-EDITION FIVE-SPEED PADDLESHIFT TRANSMISSION
Forester S-Edition adopts a specially tuned version of the five-speed paddleshift transmission from automatic WRX STI.
It uses a higher gear ratio to suit vehicle characteristics.
The gearbox includes Subaru’s Variable Torque Distribution All-Wheel Drive system.
A centre differential with a planetary gear set provides 45:55 front:rear torque distribution and continuous variable control. This enables responsive turning and superior straight line stability.
Even when driving in D range, paddleshift enables the driver to shift to manual mode temporarily.
The transmission also features downshift blipping control (engine speed synchronisation). This directly adjusts engine speed to the gearbox after the driver downshifts in manual mode.
The new R160-type rear differential aids fuel efficiency and improves vibration and noise suppression.
SUSPENSION
Forester S-Edition features a new valve structure, improving front and rear damping responsiveness, producing more accurate control and stability, and enhanced ride comfort.
Damping is specifically tuned for the S-Edition, providing a sporty suspension setup to suit the high power turbo engine.
In all Foresters, rear bushes are revised for improved control and steering response, while minimising harshness from sudden shocks.
Camber/tread rigidity is also increased.
