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2006 Subaru Forester Preview

More Power and Refinement for Subarus Smallest SUV

Subaru has been a serious thorn in the side of the sport utility vehicle market ever since the introduction of its rough n tough Outbacks. Advertised by none other than Crocodile Dundee (Paul Hogan), these sedans and wagons spearheaded a new era of capable vehicles without the traditional excess or bulk that truck-based SUVs had. But the story of a small Japanese companys efforts to produce a smarter SUV came to fruit when Subaru introduced the compact Forester in 1997.

Classified as a compact sport utility vehicle, Subaru had effectively entered the SUV scene, but unlike its competition, the Nissan Xterra, Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV-4, the Forester was the most car-like vehicle by a long, windy country mile. It showed the public

Subaru showed the public that an SUV need not be overly tall to deliver the same versatility and off-road performance as a typical vehicle. (Photo: Subaru of America)

that an SUV need not be overly tall to deliver the same versatility and off-road performance as a typical vehicle, and because of it, the Forester had the upper hand in many categories, including off-road performance, on-road performance, crash worthiness, interior space and fuel consumption.

In its nine years of production, the Forester has evolved once, with a major update back in late 2002. As an act of keeping

It came as quite a surprise that Subaru unveiled an updated version of the Forester for 2006 at the New York International Auto Show in late March. (Photo: Subaru of America)

up with the times, it became safer, more refined and a heck of a lot faster when it gained a turbocharger - the guts which helped back up its more stylish exterior. Though a turbo was always available on the first-generation Forester in other markets, it was the first time one was offered on the Forester in North America, and what an impression it made! The Forester XT was the WRX of the compact SUV range, producing 210-horsepower, with a tuned suspension and manual gearbox, transforming this tiny ute into a

"Forester continues to surprise and delight customers," said Fred Adcock, VP, Subaru of North America. (Photo: Subaru of America)

machine that could leave behind bigger, more powerful SUVs, and surprise quite a few sports car owners at stoplights.

With such an accomplished vehicle in its current state, it came as quite a surprise that Subaru unveiled an updated version of the Forester for 2006 at the New York International Auto Show in late March. So, why the update after just three years?

Fred Adcock, VP, Subaru of North America says, "Its popularity has steadily increased with each new accolade it achieves for its outright performance. Forester continues to surprise and delight customers."

Subarus vehicles are hardly beautiful, but theyre practical and with that have a form that directly follows function. (Photo: Subaru of America)

As far as the automotive industry is concerned, there is no better way to keep winning favorable comments in the press and surprising consumers than by introducing regular, meaningful updates and improvements.

With the update, the Forester has received a full frontal facelift. Subarus vehicles are hardly beautiful, but theyre practical and with that have a form that directly follows function. Visually, the current Forester is somewhat of an angry looking vehicle, with chiseled headlamps and a chrome-lined trapezoidal grille, the car comes across as if its frowning. Add that to a well defined front bumper, oversized fog lamps and a hood

To give the Forester a more family-friendly image, the new model has new, narrower four-lamp cluster headlamps, which cut into the hoods profile. (Photo: Subaru of America)

scoop (XT Turbo only), and it almost comes across as sinister.

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