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Subaru Forester hybrid SUV puts a bold face on new editions
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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BLUE EYE, Mo. -- A gravel road cut through dense forests in the Ozark Mountains of southern Missouri leads to a remote campsite in the wilderness, although rain in steady showers has soaked through the grit and made a mine field of slippery tire-trapping puddles.
We splash through the soggy potholes without fear of tire slippage because the vehicle for our backwoods foray -- a new rendition for the Forester sport-utility wagon by Subaru of Japan -- applies the torque from a gutsy four-cylinder engine to all wheels through a four-wheel-drive mechanism that operates automatically.
It's constantly engaged so you don't have to fiddle with it by tugging at some cumbersome lever or decide when to push the right dashboard button in order to engage or cancel the four-wheel traction.
That leaves the driver free to focus on more important issues -- like steering and braking and driving safely.
Forester makes the driver's job easy because all mechanical aspects are direct and simple and efficient.
The easy-to-operate simplicity of Forester has been a primary factor driving sales since the wagon first appeared in Subaru's line as a 1998 model.
Subaru developed Forester as a different kind of sport-utility that eliminates the harsh ride and ungainly handling of a conventional truck-based SUV by borrowing the chassis of a passenger car, namely Subaru's agile Impreza coupe.
And many of Forester's mechanical systems -- such as the four-wheel independent suspension system, the four-cylinder boxer engine and Subaru's direct all-wheel-drive (AWD) system -- show up on other vehicles in the line.
Subaru's engines, with four cylinders opposed horizontally and set perpendicular to the drive line, employ equal-length drive shafts and function like boxers jabbing directly at one another so there's little vibration or residual torque steer.
Power from the engine moves directly through an intelligent transfer case for distribution to all of the wheels, with scant loss of energy in the process.
Because Subaru's AWD system is so efficient, there's only a modest sacrifice in fuel economy figures to use it.
Thus, Subaru's AWD design bursts the bubble of typical four-wheel-drive systems, which can cost a bundle initially, consume excessive quantities of fuel and make as much noise as a truck.
With the Subaru system, you end up with sure-footed, confidence-building traction hardware designed to keep the vehicle safely rooted on any type of road surface and for a price that's highly competitive with vehicles rigged for two-wheel-drive.
Forester in the new design for 2003 looks similar to original editions but the boxy sheetmetal shell conceals enhancements to the structure with an expanded passenger compartment and more comfortable contents.
The exterior form has been honed to a shapely silhouette, with the hood sculpted and character lines added to side panels between bulging fender blisters.
In front, an imposing new face features a broad grille flanked by multi-lens halogen headlamps and a thick bumper with round foglamps at the corners.
Although its chassis was retained, Forester's framework has been strengthened and expanded slightly, with aluminum used to pare the overall weight. Lightweight aluminum pieces include Forester's front hood and bumper beams plus side rails on the roof.
The body is unitized for strength and rigidity, with hydroformed sub-frame added for the front suspension and crumple zones incorporated fore and aft.
Forester was one of the first sport-utility wagons to feature independent suspension elements, including lower L-arms with liquid-filled brushings and stabilizer bar in front, and rear parallel links plus stabilizer bar. The arrangement brings more control for the driver on pavement and, when venturing off pavement, produces a more enjoyable ride for passengers.
A similar suspension design goes into 2003 issues of Forester, but the struts are new and contain internal rebound springs with quick-response valves. These additions check body roll and smooth out the ride quality.
Forester's rack and pinion steering system gains variable-ratio power controls and quicker gear ratios so steering feels more precise and direct.
Running on pavement, our Forester reveals it can make a tough set of mountain curves, like those encountered on Missouri Route 86 through the Ozarks, feel like so much play from a sports car. It seems to hunker down and zip around all corners, with the AWD system aiding the effort to maintain a tight line.
Subaru's full-time AWD system operates automatically to disburse the engine's power to both front and rear wheels based on traction needs. Different versions are used for manual and automatic transmissions. For the manual, a viscous-coupling device locks the center differential, while an electronically managed continuously variable transfer clutch works with the automatic transmission.
The electronically-operated four-speed automatic is optional for any Forester, while the five-speed manual is the standard and includes Subaru's Hill Holder feature that blocks the wagon from rolling backward on a slope.
Forester's four-cylinder boxer engine, with aluminum block and cylinder heads plus a cam on top, displaces 2.5 liters and produces 165 hp at 5600 rpm and 166 lb-ft of torque at 4000 rpm.
Two new trim levels apply, both with the same engine and AWD equipment.
Forester 2.5 X is the entry model and price leader but stocks extensive equipment.
Forester 2.5 XS is the upscale model, identified by aluminum alloy wheels with body cladding and mirrors trimmed in metallic gray paint.
Stock gear ranges from foglamps to dual frontal and side-impact air bags, anti-lock brakes (ABS), active head restraints for both front bucket seats, air conditioning, power windows and power mirrors, cruise control, remote keyless entry system and stereo sound with a CD player.
Additions for XS include four-wheel disc brakes with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), automatic climate controls, a six-disc CD changer, and more.
An optional package brings premiums like a large power moonroof and leather upholstery.
Subaru's price chart starts with Forester 2.5 X tagged at $20,545, plus a destination charge of $525.
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| Vehicle Specifications: |
| 2003 SUBARU FORESTER Specs |
| Description: |
Compact 5-door SUV wagon
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| Model Options: |
Compact 5-door SUV wagon
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| Wheelbase: |
99.4 inches
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| Overall Length: |
175.2 inches
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| Engine Size: |
SOHC 2.5-L H4
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| Transmission: |
Manual/5
Auto/4
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| Drive: |
AWD
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| Braking: |
2.5 X: Power disc/drum/ABS
2.5 XS: Power 4-disc/
ABS/EBD
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| Airbags: |
2 (front) + 2 (side)
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| Gas Mileage: |
M/5: 21/27 mpg
A/4: 21/26 mpg
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| Price: |
$ 21,070 to $ 25,970 |
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