Thanks (again) to NASIOC, we now have some pretty good images of the new 2009 Forester. No longer scans from brochures, or teaser shots, these are the real deal photos of the JDM-spec model (note the RHD and fender mirrors). Interesting to note that the dashboard assembly is lifted verbatim from the new Impreza.
With all these leaks over the past two weeks, Subaru's job at NAIAS will be made much easier, as all they have to do is layout the specs, as we all know what it looks like...
ahightower says:
07:30 AM, 12/ 7/07
I know I've seen something about this before, but I forget. What's with the extra little mirror sticking up on the front fender in these Japanese SUV's? Is that for the blind spot? Probably more of a fashion statement these days rather than actually practical. Looks goofy.
kurtamaxxxguy says:
09:13 AM, 12/ 7/07
Definitely a nicer looking interior (I hope the seat heigth adjustment is real this time around, though and not the front tilt (old school VW) approach Subaru's currently using).
If they have the slightly revised engines and trans from the Impreza, could be a real winner.
boxermike says:
09:24 AM, 12/ 7/07
I just hope it's a similar size to the outgoing model. If it comes out being the same size as a Rav4 or an Outlander i'll be sorely disappointed.
roar02ram says:
10:37 AM, 12/ 7/07
Not a very forward thinking design, IMO. It seems like this car would've been perfect about 4-5 years ago.
orangutan says:
11:13 AM, 12/ 7/07
Damned Chrysler grill...
iancar says:
12:42 PM, 12/ 7/07
When will they learn that only American cars can get away with shiny chrome trims and fake metals? Let's hope Subaru has STI version, or at least a STI tuned version, bound for US, otherwise, just go get the RAV4 instead.
cah11705 says:
01:09 PM, 12/ 7/07
what happened to Subaru's old crazy designs?
This is so boring, IMO
nunatak says:
04:19 PM, 12/ 7/07
Huh, you think? Looks practical to me. I was having doubts before, but I like these pictures.
Any idea if it's about the same size as the current model? I hope so.
jacksan1 says:
06:54 PM, 12/ 7/07
The "mushroom" that's sticking out is a legal requirement for SUVs/RVs and trucks sold in Japan. Actually, it need not be a mushroom so long as the car is equipped with another contraption that meets the blindside viewing requirement of the Japanese law. Some vehicles incorporate a mirror-in-mirror device into the door-mounted mirror, and others use cameras and sensors.
By the way, the Forester up until this point did not have a mushroom growing because, due to its size, the government deemed it not having a blindside. The next-gen model is a lot bigger, so the requirement now applies. Some Subaru fans in Japan are upset about the mushoom on the Forester.
daytona_500 says:
03:23 PM, 12/ 8/07
Yawn. It looks almost unchanged. Interior is good but looks like a CR-V.
raziel1 says:
07:57 AM, 12/12/07
Well guys, the front mirror is very handy. You have to understand how some of the roads are built in other parts of the world first. I'm from Europe and Japan is no different in the way roads are constructed. You see they quite often don't have any pavements or sidewalks and so the buildings or properties are built right along side the road. When you approach a junction you cannot see the on coming traffic since you may have a building there, so you can just inch the nose of the car out just a bit so that you can use that front mirror to see around the building so as to make a determination as to whether it is safe to pull out.
dintern says:
01:10 PM, 12/16/07
I hope it's not drastically bigger than the outgoing model.
cbot says:
08:21 PM, 12/23/07
I have been a fan of the Subaru Forester since its creation. The following is the Japanese count down site to the new 2009 Forester.
http://www.subaru.jp/forester/forester/
easym1 says:
08:22 PM, 07/27/08
U-G-L-Y !!!!