ECHO
motors-merseyside
.co.uk
RUN
Friday, October 3, 2008
RUN!
APPEALING: the new diesel-powered Subaru Forester
B
New ‘Scooby’ will do nicely
But times are changing rapidly at the Japanese company, which believes it is on the cusp of a major switch in the way it is perceived by the car buying public. And one word can sum up the reason for this wave of confidence diesel. The latest Subaru Forester, a keenly- designed sports utility vehicle with permanent all-wheel drive, was introduced during the spring in petrol format. Only this week, though, has the long-awaited oil-burner arrived. It is an immensely capable engine, and one expected to take the lion’s share of Forester sales and turn it into Subaru’s top-selling model. The car maker is adamant that diesel has come
at just the right time, stressing that as a niche company it is well placed to plot a course through what are clearly troubled waters for the motor industry. Only time will tell whether the Forester has the desired impact. What’s certain is that it’s a car of considerable appeal, the three-model range starting at £20,295. Subaru chose the area around Cork in southern Ireland, an area blessed with a blend of rural and coastal roads of varying quality, for the Forester first drive. This scenic part of the country was a hive of activity last week as devotees flocked in for the National Ploughing Championships – horse drawn of course – the Cork 200 Rally and a Munster Motorcycle Club event. But it was the Forester which
RIGHT blue cars, dazzling gold wheels - it can mean only one thing, a savagely powered Subaru Impreza.
8
pages of new & used motors
took centre stage and would certainly have done a neater job if allowed a free hand on some of the fields used as practice areas for the ploughing boys. While this largest model in the ‘Scooby’ range looks the part, is comfortable and spacious, and includes plenty of standard kit, the engine is clearly the star. Subaru has stuck by its horizontal ‘boxer’ powerplant layout for more than 40 years and the company’s engineers were determined to use this format for their first diesel. The result is a compact, lightweight 2.0-litre common rail unit producing 147bhp, a maximum speed of 115mph and acceleration to 60 in 10 seconds. And over two days of mixed driving the claimed economy figure of a fraction over 44 miles
RAFT OF FEATURES: The interior per gallon proved of the new diesel-powered Subaru Forester bang on the button. This is a 2.0D XC rewarding car to drive too. at £22,495 to be the best seller and Especially noticeable is the lack of with its raft of features certainly vibration, the dynamics are very offers plenty for hose unwilling to positive and the six-speed manual shell out another £3,000 for the gearbox slick to use. flagship XS model’s leather, The Forester is obviously no powered seating, push-button start heavy duty mudplugger – its AWD and sat-nav. system splitting power 50/50 front Scooby fans opting for entry to rear unless slip is detected – but it is well capable of coping with less grade Forester 2.0D X will benefit demanding off-road conditions and from emissions of 167g/km, which means an annual road fund licence confidently picked a course down of £170, and of its closest rivals only rocky tracks and onto several the VW Tiguan can match its beaches. Group 9E insurance rating In fact the only disappointing Subaru began 2008 without aspects are a cheap feel to some of diesel – now the engine is in the interior trim and an Legacy, Outback and Forester uncomfortable perch – due to a lift models and set to debut in the up container – in the rear centre Impreza. It’s just what’s required to seating position. help weather the storm. Subaru expects the mid-range