Subaru teased crossover vehicle fans at the Australian International Motor Show with the global unveiling of the S-Edition Forester.
Strictly speaking the Subaru S-Edition Forester is a concept car, but Subaru Australia’s Managing Director, Nick Senior, was upfront in saying it provided a clear pointer to a new Forester derivative scheduled for local launch early next year.
The Subaru Forester S-Edition boldly takes the Forester in a sporty direction – much more a high performance car than the current turbocharged XT model.
Both models share Subaru’s turbocharged 2.5-litre Boxer engine, but the Subaru Forester S-Edition gets an up-rated version with 193kW (up 24kW) and 347Nm (up 27Nm).
The Subaru Forester S-Edition drives all four wheels via a five-speed automatic transmission with steering wheel paddle shifters and Subaru’s Variable Torque Distribution (VTD) system.
Externally, Subaru Forester S-Edition looks the part thanks to STI 17-inch alloy wheels.
Suspension gets a sports overhaul.
Inside there are drilled alloy pedals, Alcantara seat trim with S-Edition logos, and a unique instrument cluster with luminescent display and S-Edition centre design.
Subaru also confirmed its first all-new Boxer engine in 21 years will arrive early next year fitted to naturally aspirated Forester models.
The new 2.5-litre engine features a more compact combustion chamber, a longer stroke and lighter moving parts.