"STi" Forester Now Available in Japan, with a 5AT

[Trainman]

Got the heads up on this from the Forester forum:

Subaru have launched their "S-Edition" SH Forester in Japan. 2.5 Turbo, 5EAT, 17ins STI wheels, two-tone interior, 263HP/250ftlbs.

Japanese web site:  http://www.subaru.jp/forester/forester/grade.html#grade/grade_s_edition/  Some English, but mostly Japanese.

Hopefully something like this will make its way to NA, and also hopefully this will mean the 5AT will be coming as well rather than the CVT.  Hopefully!

I wonder what they had to change to make the 5AT fit since Subaru has been saying all along it wouldn't.

[Mike]

I also wonder if the 5AT will make it's way into the WRX since the current 4AT can't handle the 265HP of the current WRX (thus the 227HP Impreza GT in the USA)

[carcrazy]

I wonder what they had to change to make the 5AT fit since Subaru has been saying all along it wouldn't.

I bet all it changed was the direction from the corner offices.