Australia's favourite compact sports utility vehicle, the Subaru Forester, is adding to its Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive appeal with the launch of the first ever turbocharged diesel variants.

Building on the huge success of the Subaru Outback diesels launched late last year, Forester 2.0D and 2.0D Premium add a new dimension to the range, which was Australia's best-selling SUV across all categories last year.

Superb fuel efficiency and low emissions linked to Forester's five-star occupant safety package are set to attract even more customers. Indeed the new Forester diesels comply with the strict Euro 5 emission standard.

Forester 2.0D's turbocharged four-cylinder 2.0 litre flat Boxer diesel engine consumes just 6.4 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres in the combined cycle, while producing just 168 grams/kilometre of carbondioxide. In the highway cycle it only consumes 5.7 l/100 km and produces 151g/km of CO2.

Forester 2.0D offers a 1600 kg braked towing capacity, 200 kg above normally aspirated petrol Foresters.

All Forester 2.0Ds offer the same outstanding five-star occupant safety rating as every Subaru.

Two models are available: the Forester 2.0D and the 2.0D Premium.

The 2.0D engine produces 108 Kilowatts of power at 3600 rpm and 350 Newtonmetres of torque between 1800-2400 rpm.

Even at just 1600 rpm, the engine delivers 340 Nm of torque for incredible low-down pulling power.

As with all four-cylinder Forester models, the first service is now at 12,500 kilometres/six months.

Forester 2.0D is priced from  $35,990 Manufacturer's List Price (MLP)*. The diesel range topping Forester 2.0D Premium is $39,990.

Nick Senior, Managing Director, Subaru Australia, said: "It's exciting for us to introduce a second diesel variant in Australia.

"The Outback has exceeded our expectations and early demand for the Forester suggests it will follow suit.

"Outstanding economy, the potential for a 1000 kilometre plus range, great engine flexibility and Forester's traditionally strong retained value are the hallmarks of this vehicle."

Among the Forester 2.0D highlights:

• Incredible fuel economy and range
• Six-speed manual
• Highest five-star ANCAP safety rating across the range
• Sophisticated Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive for added driving pleasure and safety
• DataDot security – in line with the entire Subaru range
• First service at 12,500 kilometres/six months
• Self-levelling rear suspension

The new generation Forester 2.0D line-up comprises:

• Forester 2.0D – with six-speed manual transmission
• Forester 2.0D Premium – includes leather trim, electric sunroof, 17-inch alloy wheels, power driver's seat, premium audio and HID headlights.

• Satin White Pearl
• Steel Silver
• Spark Silver
• Camellia Red
• Sage Green
• Newport Blue
• Obsidian Black
• Dark Grey
• Sunlight Gold

ENGINE

The common rail four-cylinder turbocharged Boxer 2.0D produces 108 Kilowatts of power at 3600 rpm and 350 Newtonmetres of torque between 1800-2400 rpm.

The double overhead camshaft engine features a closed loop Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF), the most efficient catalyst method of reducing soot particles from the exhaust.

All new generation horizontally opposed Boxer engines offer improved fuel consumption in the combined cycle.

FUEL CONSUMPTION

SIX-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION

The lightweight and efficient six-speed manual is mated to the 2.0 litre turbocharged DOHC engine on Forester 2.0D.

It aids optimum fuel efficiency, improved drivability and a quieter ride at higher speeds, due to wider ratio coverage.

The compact design retains the same length as the five-speed automatic transmission.

Use of a shift cable greatly improves feel and noise levels, while friction loss is reduced by optimising lubrication paths, leading to improved fuel efficiency.

Shift feel and noise levels are improved when selecting reverse due to gear structure changes, adopting constant-mesh synchromesh.

MANUAL GEAR RATIOS:

SAFETY

All Foresters have a maximum five-star crashworthiness rating for occupant safety from the independent Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) and feature standard dual front, side and curtain airbags and Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC).

Forester also achieves a three-star pedestrian safety rating.

It maintains the rear vision standard of all generations of the vehicle, meaning a one metre tall object positioned one metre away from the rear bumper can be seen by the driver when reversing.

Forester uses the latest generation of Subaru's ring shaped reinforcement system that cocoons the passenger cabin with a series of steel rings. This adds strength and absorbs energy in the event of a collision, reducing the risk of occupant injury.

Its frame structure negates the need for a subframe, better absorbing energy in collisions.

High tensile materials are used around the cabin for added strength, yet better pedestrian protection during a front end collision.

The layout of the rear frame is set to the height of standard car bumpers, transmitting energy effectively to the frame during a rear end collision. The frame is designed to compress gradually, which is important in cars with a short overhang.

Forester's steel bonnet frame pattern optimises pedestrian protection and energy absorption.

The front bulkhead also features an energy absorbing design while the rear of the bonnet can easily compress to reduce injury.  

Safety pedals reduce injury to the driver's lower legs in a heavy frontal collision. They are designed to retract and move down.

Foresters have active head restraints, which help reduce neck injury in collisions. 

The two-pot brakes are optimised to improve stopping distance. All brakes feature ABS, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and Brake Assist – all linked to the VDC system.

All Forester 2.0Ds have Hill Start Assist, which prevents the car rolling backwards on a hill while first gear is engaged and the clutch depressed, or forwards when reverse is engaged and the clutch depressed.

As with all Subarus, the flat horizontally opposed Boxer engines are designed to go under, rather than into, the cabin in the event of a heavy frontal collision, again minimizing occupant injury.

Bonnet shape and pillars are designed to reduce blind spots and enhance driver visibility.

Every Forester is equipped with the latest advanced engine immobilisers and DataDot theft protection.

All Foresters have remote tailgate unlocking too.

Forester 2.0D has a high quality sound system featuring four speakers with AM/FM/CD tuner and MP3/WMA/iPod compatibility.

Forester 2.0D Premium features a six-speaker six-stack in-dash AM/FM/CD tuner with subwoofer, that adds tweeter speakers installed in each door gusset.  It also includes MP3/WMA compatibility, plus SRS circle surround audio.

An auxiliary terminal is installed in the centre console.

Steering wheel audio controls are standard on all Foresters.

FORESTER 2.0D:

SAFETY

• ABS anti-lock brakes with four-wheel discs (ventilated front, solid rear), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist
• Active headrests
• Child seat anchor points including ISO FIX
• Curtain airbags – full length (front and rear)
• Dual front airbags
• Dual side airbags
• Front fog lights
• Front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters. Double pretensioners on driver's seatbelt
• Front adjustable seatbelt anchorage
• Hill Start Assist
• Rear door child locks
• Safety pedals - shock absorbing brake and clutch pedals
• Seatbelt indicator lights – front seats
• Side intrusion bars
• Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive
• Three-point A/ELR rear centre seatbelt
• Vehicle Dynamics Control

• AM/FM radio, single in-dash CD, MP3/WMA/iPod compatible, four speakers – steering wheel controls
• Bottle holders in each door + two cup holders in centre console
• Cargo area light
• Cargo hooks (four)
• Cargo security blind
• Central locking - remote
• Climate control air conditioning with anti-dust filters
• Cruise control – steering wheel buttons
• Driver's footrest
• Height and reach adjustable steering column
• Height adjustable driver's seat
• Immobiliser security system
• Luggage hooks (four)
• Luminescent gauges with blue highlights
• Map lights (2)
• Overhead console
• Multi-information dashboard display
• Power steering, mirrors and windows
• Rear seat auto fold levers
• Rear seat centre armrest
• Rear seat retractable tray with cup holders
• Rear seat recline
• Remote fuel lid release – tethered fuel cap
• Seatback pocket (passenger side)
• Security blind
• Two remote central locking keys
• Vanity mirror
• 60/40 split/fold rear seat
• 12V/120W power jacks

EXTERIOR

• 16-inch alloy wheels – full size steel spare
• Alloy matt finish door handles
• Chrome-highlight grille
• Rear roof mounted radio antenna
• Rear wiper
• Roof rails

• Auto hatch unlock on key
• DataDot security technology
• Electronic Throttle Control (ETC)
• Self-levelling rear suspension
• Three-year unlimited kilometre warranty
• 2.0 litre DOHC turbocharged horizontally opposed Boxer engine. 108 kW/3600 rpm, 350 Nm/1800-2400 rpm

FORESTER 2.0D PREMIUM ADDS:

• Privacy glass – rear, rear quarter, tailgate
• Seat-back pockets – driver and passenger side
• Six-stack CD with seven speakers (including subwoofer)
• 17-inch alloy wheels - full size alloy spare
• Eight-way adjustable power driver's seat 
• Leather trim, including steering wheel and gearshift
• Sunroof
• Xenon headlights (low beam) – self levelling with pop-up washers

FORESTER 2.0D PRICING

* Prices are Subaru (Aust) Pty Limited's Manufacturer's List Prices only and include GST on the list price but exclude dealer delivery charges and all other government and statutory charges. For the drive away price of Subaru vehicles consumers should be advised to contact their local authorised Subaru dealer.

Forester 2.0D manual - $35,990
Forester 2.0D Premium manual - $39,990

• Incredible fuel economy and range
• Six-speed manual
• Highest five-star ANCAP safety rating across the range
• Sophisticated Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive for added driving pleasure and safety
• DataDot security – in line with the entire Subaru range
• First service at 12,500 kilometres/six months
• Self-levelling rear suspension

ABOUT SUBARU
Every Subaru sold in Australia features Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and a horizontally opposed Boxer engine, standard Vehicle Dynamics Control electronic
stability program, and a five-star rating for occupant safety from the independent Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP). The result - driving
confidence.