There are a lot of Subie and diesel fans out there waiting to hear what it's like to drive the diesel-powered Forester. Edmunds very own Erin Riches took a trip to Slovenia to do just that. She was part of a contingent of American journalists invited to check out the new Euro-spec model. Her Green Car Advisor report follows.
Subaru Selects Forester (Europe Only, Sorry) For Beefier, Cleaner New Diesel
One thing to ponder: Even though Subaru publicly states that they have no plans on bringing this car over here, ya gotta wonder--if that's the case--why did they invite a group of American writers over to test the car? My guess is this was a "feeler" session to see what kind of excitement this car generates; what works and what needs work; and of course, what's the sales potential here in the USA.
My take? It's coming in a couple of years. That is once they develop an automatic (CVT?) strong enough to handle the 258 lb-ft-of torque, which is 11 pounds more than what the Tribeca puts out.
ateixeira says:
08:12 AM, 09/15/08
For anyone interested I calculated a break-even point in the 2009 Forester threads, so go there for details.
To summarize: with current gas and diesel prices, and assuming a $2800 markup for the diesel, as in Europe, it would take only 5 years to break even.
You would enjoy more torque, greater range, plus my calculations were done with the current diesel pricing (read: high).
Imagine if diesel prices stabilize a bit and Subaru only charged $2000 or so extra. You'd recover your investment in no time.
104wb says:
08:57 AM, 09/15/08
Yes. Plus, your vehicle would have higher residual value. Worst thing manufacturers could do at this point would be to try to save a few bucks on the basic engine structure and end up with a diesel no more robust than a gasser. Diesels can't lose that advantage (I'm not suggesting that it's happening. Just that it could).
There was less than a 5% difference between regular and diesel on my way to work today.
Also, if they can get it here soon, and you buy before 2011CY, you'll almost surely get the federal lean burn tax credit, which is a likely $1,000-2000.
billt9 says:
01:35 PM, 09/15/08
Make the Americans drive manual transmissions.
firstwagon says:
07:02 PM, 09/15/08
Bring it in with the manual transmission only then. It will quickly gain a huge cult following and only increase Subarus reputation for being the cool car for people who don't follow the mainstream.
BTW...This morning I noticed diesel is now 20 cents per LITRE cheaper then regular. That's about 80 cents on the gallon.
Hurry up Subaru, I will trade my Legacy for this one.
famof3kids says:
09:52 AM, 09/16/08
Toyota owns a high percentage of Subie...so...where is that Hybrid Diesel?? I'm ready to trade my Legacy too, but, not until I can buy something with much higher MPG.
firstwagon says:
08:52 PM, 09/17/08
Much higher then double the mileage you now get?
That's asking for a lot.
Diesels and hybrid don't work that well together. Diesels really don't like to be stopped and started all the time. It makes the benefits of the hybrid system minimal and not worth the extra cost and weight.
moparbad says:
05:46 PM, 09/20/08
This Subaru diesel meets US emisions for all the states not following CA emissions.
To have it 50 state certified would require a urea system which is currently not being used by Subaru.
Sell the diesels in the non-CA emissions states.
Add the urea system at a later date if new technology does not arrive first.