Subaru Forester dealers are understandably crestfallen at the news that there will be not Subaru Forester Turbo XT at any time in the near future. The news came out during the unveiling of the 5th generation Subaru Forester at the recent New York Motor Show. It seems strange, but there will be no turbocharged flat four to look forward to. Let’s take a look at how this will impact the range and some of the issues surrounding this perhaps controversial decision.
The Turbocharged Fan Base
Subaru petrolheads have always been enthusiastic about their favourite brand, and they are renowned for their loyalty. However, many Forester enthusiasts may now be scratching their heads at this recent news, and it isn’t hard to understand why. The 4th generation Forester XT is a 2.0L turbocharged SUV with an engine that generates 177kW of power and 350 Nm of torque. At first glance why would these drivers trade in these models for the new 5th generation Forester which has an engine that generates 136kW of power and has 239 Nm of torque? To make things even worse the new Forester FA25 engine is a 2.5L flat four reaches peak torque at 4400 rpm, a figure far higher than the older turbocharged units and the new model is 50 kg heavier.
Meeting Tougher Emission and Consumption Regulations
Back in the late 90’s Subaru were the pioneers of what is now known as the performance SUV. This was achieved with the Forester GT, which was essentially a WRX powertrain repackaged into a trail capable vehicle. In the intervening years, this strategy has been repeated and refined until now. The main issue of concern is how Subaru is going to beat the tougher emission and consumption regulations to meet Euro-7 compliance by 2021. Subaru is going to have to box clever to keep their fans happy and ensure that they can still compete in markets that have greater regulation.
Official consumption figures are not yet available for the 5th generation cars that are due here sometime in September. However, a slight improvement on the current 8.1L/100km is unlikely to impress Co2 regulators. The official word from Subaru is that the new models meet the requirements for the target market and performance parameters. A plug in hybrid is set to join the range in 2019, and there could be a low boost version tuned for improved economy. There is a new turbocharged 2.4L engine that generates 194 kW of power and 376 Nm, but it seems that this unit will be reserved for the Subaru Ascent large SUV.
If they are looking for a new Subaru Forester for sale in Perth local drivers should contact us here at Perth City Subaru. We have a vast selection of both new and used cars available including the latest Subaru Forester models. We invite you to join us for a no obligation test drive at your earliest convenience, and you can experience the Subaru driving difference for yourself. If you need to finance your car purchase, you will find that our rates are competitive and repayments are tailored to suit your lifestyle. Our team is standing by to advise you on our latest deals, and they will be happy to answer any remaining questions that you may have.