Subaru Signs MoU to Manufacture Compact SUV in Malaysia

Subaru’s parent company Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (FHI) today announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Tan Chong Group for the local production of an unnamed compact SUV in Malaysia.

The only compact SUV in Subaru’s current range is the Forester, though the vehicle in question may be the upcoming Impreza-based crossover that was previewed by the XV Concept (pictured above) at the 2011 Shanghai Auto Show in China this past April.

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Not for U.S.: Subaru Launches 259HP Forester S-Edition in Australia

First unveiled in the 2010 Australian International Motor Show in Sydney last October, the Subaru Forester S-Edition has now gone on sale in Australia, alongside the revised lineup of the Japanese compact SUV. Boasting a turbocharged 2.5-liter boxer engine delivering 259HP (193kW) and 347 Nm (256 lb-ft) of torque, the new range-topping model is the most powerful Forester ever to be sold down-under.

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Subaru unveils sportier Forester tS with STI parts in Japan

It might not be for "U.S.", or any other market outside of Japan, for that matter, but the new JDM Subaru Forester tS deserves our attention. Based on the Forester S-Edition, the tS has been upgraded with a raft of STi parts including a modified suspension that sits 15 mm lower than usual, 17-inch alloys, a front spoiler and the customary tS logos.

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Photo Gallery of 2011 Subaru Forester with New Grille and 2.5L Boxer

Last month we told you about the revised for the 2011 model year, Subaru Forester SUV, which benefits from an all new naturally-aspirated 2.5-liter boxer engine with a chain driven double overhead cam and an output of 170HP and 174 lb-ft. of torque.

As you may remember from our previous post, we didn't have any photos of the 2011MY, but now, the Japanese automaker has released a gallery giving us the chance to see the new grille and alloy wheel designs -but oddly enough, not the revised instrument panel- of the updated Forester models. Follow the jump to check out all the pictures.

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Subaru to Start Selling Cars in South Korea

Even though Kia and Hyundai are present in most countries around the world, you'll be surprised of the number of automakers that are absent from the South Korean market for one reason (import taxes) or another (legislation).

Subaru is one of them, but that's going to change soon as the Japanese automaker announced today that it is joining Toyota in South Korea's recovering market for imported cars. The company said that that sales of Subaru-brand vehicles will start from April in the country working through its local distributor, Subaru Korea Co., Ltd.

The automaker's range will initially comprise of the Legacy, Outback and Forester. Unfortunately for Subaru fans in South Korea, the Impreza series, and by that, we actually mean the WRX and STI, won't be offered.

Subaru's newly formed Korean division said that it has set an initial sales target of a mere 600 units in the first year but aims to increase that number to 3,000 units by 2015.

The company stated that it is the process of developing its own dealer network and is planning to open Subaru outlets first in Seoul and Pusan and then to other metropolitan areas in South Korea.

SEMA: Subaru’s Mountain Rescue Forester Concept

Along with the STI-prepped Forester XTI Concept that sports a modified 2.5-liter turbocharged boxer engine from the ’09 Impreza WRX STI, Subaru will also display a second concept version of its crossover model at SEMA called the “Mountain Rescue Forester”. Built in cooperation with Detroit-based Specialized Vehicles for the National Ski Patrol (NSP), the concept is based on the '09 Forester 2.5XT. The all-wheel-drive crossover has been modified to cope with rescues in difficult terrain and weather conditions delivering more than 14 in. of ground clearance (stock Forester: 8.9in.) through an Air Lift custom adjustable ride height air suspension system.

Added off-road and snow traction is provided by Yokohama Geolandar MTS 30 x 9.5-in. tires on special 15-in. Subaru custom-reversed, near-zero offset steel wheels. For protection, the Forester has been equipped with custom front and rear skid plates by DeeZee and custom trail armor by Bushwacker, including fender flares, lower door cladding, a rear gate guard and tail light guards.

Other modifications include an emergency light package an Ultimate Performance 9.5i Thermometric 9,500-lb. winch by WARN, remote rear door openers and external quick-access utility compartments.

SEMA: Subaru Forester XTI Concept with 315HP STI Turbo Engine

Just as we we're starting to worry about the lack of any official Subaru proposals for the SEMA show the Japanese automaker revealed the Forester XTI Concept. Designed and built by the folks at Subaru of America, the concept features the engine and entire drivetrain from the Impreza WRX STI. Thanks to the addition of a custom stainless steel cat-back exhaust system, the 2.5-liter intercooled turbo engine develops an output of 315HP (+10HP) and 300 lb.-ft. of torque (from 290 lb.-ft. stock). With this engine, Subaru claims that the Forester XTI Concept can hit the 0 to 60mph (96km/h) mark in under 5,0 seconds - not bad at all for a crossover. -Continued

As with the Impreza WRX STI, power is channeled through a close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission and the Driver Controlled Center Differential (DCCD) version of Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive which offers three selectable automatic performance modes in addition to six manual center differential-locking settings.

Subaru technicians borrowed the WRX STI's Brembo brakes with 4-piston front calipers and 2-piston rear calipers and while they were at it, they also added an adjustable coil-over suspension by STI.

The Forester XTI Concept's styling has been enhanced with a two-shade custom paint scheme, a JDM body kit that includes side skirts, a rear skirt and a gate spoiler and of course, a set of 18-inch STI alloy wheels wrapped in Yokohama Advan Neova 255/40R18 performance tires. We dont; have any photos of the interior but Subaru said that the Forester XTI features leather and Alcantara sport seats, a special instrument cluster, front dash and center console and leather-wrapped steering wheel.

2009 Subaru Forester 2.0 Turbo Diesel in Detail

At next month’s Paris Show, Subaru will unveil the first-ever diesel-powered versions of the Impreza and Forester models. The Japanese automaker has very high hopes for the Forester 2.0D as it expects it to account for a massive 80 percent of sales and eventually turn the SUV into the company’s best-selling model in Europe. First introduced in the Legacy and Outback in the beginning of the year, the 2.0 litre, four-cylinder horizontally-opposed Boxer Diesel engine delivers in the Forester 147 PS at 3,600 rpm and 258 lb-ft of torque at 1,800 rpm. -Continued

Apart from the new engine, key improvements over the 2.0 litre petrol Forester include a new six-speed manual gearbox, uprated front suspension and firmer-feeling steering. Top speed and 0-60 mph (96 km/h) times are at 115.5 mph (185 km/h) and 10 seconds respectively while the extra engine torque over the petrol model allows a full 2,000 kg or 4,010 lbs braked towing limit.

Fuel economy in the Forester 2.0D is rated at 44.8 mpg UK (37.3 mpg US or 6.3lt/100 km) with average CO2 emissions of 167 g/km. Meanwhile, thanks to the diesel version’s enlarged fuel tank (from 60 to 64 litres compared to the petrol models), the compact crossover can theoretically cover a distance of more than 1,000 km or 620 miles before the need for refueling.

In the UK, the new Boxer Diesel Forester range will arrive later this month where it will be available in three specific trim levels – the 2.0D X priced at £20,295, the 2.0D XC at £22,495 and the 2.0D XSn at £25,495 (all on-the-road).

Standard features for the entry-level Forester 2.0D X include: symmetrical all-wheel drive; Subaru Vehicle Dynamics Control; self-levelling rear suspension; fuel-saving electric power steering; front, side and curtain airbags and 16’’ alloy wheels with 215/65 tires.

Other features include four electric windows; 60/40-split rear seats with reclining back-rests; climate-control air-conditioning; radio/CD player; front fog lamps; vehicle information display; height and reach-adjustment steering wheel; leather-covered steering wheel, handbrake and gear-lever; heated front seats, mirrors and windscreen wipers plus cruise-control.

Expected to be the best-seller, the Forester 2.0D XC adds: roof-rails; larger, 17’’ alloys with 225/55 tires; premium audio system featuring a six-stacker CD-player and seven speakers; roof spoiler; HID headlamps and a large, electrically-powered sun-roof.

Finally, the top-of-the range Forester 2.0D XSn adds: satellite navigation with single disc CD/radio; leather seats; electrically-powered driver’s seat and Smart-entry with push-button start.

Subaru Impreza & Forester with 2.0L Boxer Diesel Heading for Paris

After being initially launched on the Legacy and Outback earlier this year, Subaru’s new boxer turbo diesel engine will make its first appearance in both the new Forester and Impreza models at the 2008 Paris Motor Show. The 2.0-liter horizontally-opposed diesel engine, which benefits from a new closed-type diesel particulate filter, produces 147 PS and 258 lb ft torque in the Forester 2.0D and 150 PS and 258 lb ft in the Impreza. Both the Forester and Impreza Boxer Diesels feature new six-speed manual gearboxes. -Continued

According to Subaru’s preliminary figures, the Forester 2.0D will return an average fuel consumption in the combined cycle of 44.8 mpg UK (37.3 mpg US or 6.3lt/100 km). The new Forester Boxer Diesel will go on sale in Europe in late September with the Impreza Boxer Diesel following towards the end of the year. As much as we’d like to see any the diesel-powered Subies coming to the States, we doubt that will happen any time soon.