The once “unlikely” Subaru Forester Turbo appears to now be firming for an Australian launch next year, as the brand prepares an updated Forester and a slew of special editions to celebrate the carmaker’s 50th birthday in Australia.
Subaru says its now-ageing Forester is next in line for key updates in 2023, with the brand having already confirmed the Crosstrek (formerly known as the XV) for Australia, and having just revealed the new Impreza hatch.
That means arguably its most important model is next in the queue.
“With Crosstrek coming out next year and Impreza having just been announced, we’ve gone full circle, with Forester the next logical (model) due for next year,” says Subaru Australia managing director, Blair Read.
“What I can say is next year marks 50 years of Subaru in Australia as an official importer. We have some pretty exciting plans around some special editions which we think will be really, really appealing to the Australian public.”
It’s understood those special editions won’t include the Forester Turbo, but will instead focus on the US-spec Wilderness model that adds more off-road functionality to the family-focused SUV.
That means off-road focused AWD tuning, improved ground clearance and a new front skid plate, new black wheel and all-terrain tyres, and a tougher, more plastic-clad look.
While that model is now appears a near-certainty for Australia next year, the brand also has its hand in the air for a punchy Forester Turbo, too.
Once deemed “unlikely” for Australia, a turbocharged Forester variant seems to now be firming for our market, and could even appear next year. The only question is, which one?
Option one is known as the Forester Sport in Japan, and it scores the same turbocharged engine seen in the Levorg. The 1.8-litre boxer-turbo is good for 132kW of power and 300Nm of torque, easily outmuscling the 2.5-litre naturally aspirated engine in the regular Forester, which has marginally more power (136kW) but a huge torque disadvantage, with 239Nm.
But another option would be the fitment of the brand’s 2.4-litre turbo that appears in the new Outback. That model features the 2.4-litre turbo direct-injection engine used in the WRX, only tuned to deliver 183kW and 350Nm.
Subaru is yet to confirm the Outback’s engine will make its way to the Forester – although strong reporting out of the USA suggest that it will – but Subaru in Australia says it has its hand in the air for a Forester turbo.
“Still work in progress. So would we like it? Yes. But it’s not in the immediate future, but we continue to work on it,” Mr Read said.
Asked whether that meant the model wouldn’t be arriving next year, Mr Read would only cryptically confirm that it wouldn’t form part of the rollout of Subaru’s 50th Anniversary special editions next year.
Watch this space.
Keyword: Look out Toyota RAV4 and Mazda CX5! Subaru Forester Turbo firms for Australian launch next year