Topic: 2009 Subaru Forester Spotted!

[1TSX]

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1382044

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showpost.php?p=20217600&postcount=283

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showpost.php?p=20222443&postcount=290

Looks like a Honda Pilot from the rear.

[Benhaze]

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showpost.php?p=20217600&postcount=283

Looks like a Honda Pilot from the rear.

I find that pic looks like a sleeker Suzuki...

[Snowman]

The ¾ frontal pic in the Car and Driver that just came in the mail is nice.

[mmret]

Hope it hasn't become bigger.

[AVToller]

Hope it hasn't become bigger.

  I hope it hasn't, but I expect that it has grown just like all the others. 

[random006]

Check out one of the posts from the first link shown in this thread:

No WRB? Check.
No 5MT Turbo? Check.
No Sports? Check.

Insane resale value on '07 Manual Sports XTs for years to come? Check.

:Picard:

Could it be that our favourite example of Captain Obvious has spawned his own emoticon? 

[random006]

Hope it hasn't become bigger.

  I hope it hasn't, but I expect that it has grown just like all the others. 

The following spy shots web site hints at a larger Forester:
http://jalopnik.com/cars/spy-photos/subaru-forester-next+gen-300612.php

[AVToller]

"new Subaru Forester with fewer right angles than today's model and a longer wheelbase than the current Outback. Add to that a wider track and you've got a model that'll surely cannibalize two-thirds of the Subaru line." 

[1TSX]

If the pics above are real, then its definetely bigger than the current generation. I am assuming Subaru wants to compete with the CR-V and Rav-4, in terms of size.

[cozmos]

Another few look to be semi forester like renderings... Looks awesome if it is.

http://4wheelsblog.com/prototypes/subaru-exiga-concept

[Benhaze]

Another few look to be semi forester like renderings... Looks awesome if it is.

http://4wheelsblog.com/prototypes/subaru-exiga-concept

Looks like a Legacy to me.

[Trainman]

Hope it hasn't become bigger.

  I hope it hasn't, but I expect that it has grown just like all the others. 

I hope it retains its decent off-road ability as well, ie ground clearance and all.

[AVToller]

Hope it hasn't become bigger.

  I hope it hasn't, but I expect that it has grown just like all the others. 

I hope it retains its decent off-road ability as well, ie ground clearance and all.

A longer wheelbase and wider track will only exacerbate its off-road limitations unless they INCREASE the ground clearance considerably. That, in turn, would reduce the low centre of gravity advantage they get from the boxer engine. Sad really.

[Trainman]

Hope it hasn't become bigger.

  I hope it hasn't, but I expect that it has grown just like all the others. 

I hope it retains its decent off-road ability as well, ie ground clearance and all.

A longer wheelbase and wider track will only exacerbate its off-road limitations unless they INCREASE the ground clearance considerably. That, in turn, would reduce the low centre of gravity advantage they get from the boxer engine. Sad really.

   Just more dumbing down of Subaru I guess.

[inco]

It may be dumping down to those of us in the family, but for the parent in them (Oyota) it will mean 'plumping profit' as more people warm to the design rather than the engineering.

[Snowman]

I think it is a good move by Subaru to compete in the CUV segment by utilizing the Legacy platform which increases the rear passenger room which was lacking IMO. The cost benefits are obvious.
Off road prowess is not important to buyer in this market so I don’t see this as a setback. If I was looking for an off-road vehicle a Forester would not be on the list.

[1TSX]

I think it is a good move by Subaru to compete in the CUV segment by utilizing the Legacy platform which increases the rear passenger room which was lacking IMO. The cost benefits are obvious.
Off road prowess is not important to buyer in this market so I don’t see this as a setback. If I was looking for an off-road vehicle a Forester would not be on the list.

 

The current Forester is just a boxy, lifted Impreza.

[johngenx]

The Forester has decent clearance thanks to independant suspension and carefull location of components, but it is the angles of attack and departure that make it the best off-road vehicle in the Subaru line-up.  If they just keep the front/back overhangs trim and clearance reasonable, they could keep selling a great on-road wagon that can get off-road in some circumstances.  We've really appreciated that ability a few times.  It can go places where our OBW dared not venture...

[AVToller]

I took the Forester onto decommissioned logging roads many times. Obviously, it was never meant to be a true "offroader", but it did the job, limited only by the approach/departure angles which as John wrote are good for Subaru, but still only marginal.

[stalker]

Reminds me 08 Outlander....