Diesel Powered Subaru Forester Launches in Australia June 19, 2010
The long-awaited Subaru Forester Diesel has recently been launched to the Australian market. The world?s first flat four cylinder diesel was used previously in Subaru Legacy?s and Outbacks since 2008. The newly launched Forester 2.0D has the same engine, specifically designed and engineered by Subaru for this car. The car boasts outstanding fuel economy and enhanced ?greenness”.
Subaru says, ?this is the world?s first horizontally-opposed diesel engine to be featured in a passenger vehicle. This is the Subaru Boxer Diesel.? The engine has quiet vibration and astonishingly highly reactive acceleration. This is not your normal diesel engine. The boxer diesel sports a specially designed 6-speed manual transmission. Subaru has no plans to offer an automatic transmission alternative.
Features of the Forester 2.0D include a very compact engine with an aluminum block to lessen weight. The Forester has superior handling, has ample space and leg room, and is fuel efficient. Fuel consumption for the basic Forester is about 45 mpg. The Forester has a 14 gallon fuel tank, and that means you can go a long way on a tank of fuel (about 850 miles). The Forester?s towing capacity is greater at lower revs, than other identical cars. Despite being considerably taller than older versions of the Forester, the new diesel engine brings down the central gravity on the car.
While the engine does have a diesel sound (after all, it is a diesel), the sound is not excessive or cloying. The ride is smooth and definitely is more car-like than truck-like. There are five comfortable seats, which all have plenty of leg and headroom. No matter how the seats are adjusted, they are comfortable and plush. The back seats fold perfectly flat. Visibility in the car is excellent, thanks to the wide expanse of glass.
Extras include 17-inch alloy wheels (instead of the standard 16-inch), roof rails, and a seven-speaker surround-sound audio system. Forester Diesel options include a navigation system and leather seats.
So, this is a car that is a pleasure to drive, that has good fuel efficiency, that is well-designed for the comfort of the driver and passengers. Definitely worth a close look.
