3rd-Gen Forester to Debut in Detroit

Subaru's next big move in revamping its product lineup is the introduction

of the third generation Forester. The Forester is one of Subaru's best known products, a vehicle that straddles the genres of compact SUV and station wagon. With the new 2009 version, the Forester has shifted the balance slightly more to the side of SUV, which helps to bridging the gap between other Subaru cars, and the Tribeca crossover.

One of the most important aspects of the new generation Forester is its appearance. The outgoing model was distinctive with its very upright nose and trapezoidal grille. The new car has a much more rounded, modern look, and receives the same sort of front-end treatment as the Impreza and Tribeca, with a chrome strip at the top flanked by curvier, more aerodynamic headlamps. It's a pretty big change, but there's a lot of familiarity with its design with hints of Mitsubishi Outlander around the body. Ignoring the Japanese domestic market front fender mirror from these initial photos, this is pretty much what will be sold here in North America. Inside, Subaru is promising a fresh new interior that's made of better quality materials and improved sound deadening for a quieter ride.

Under the new sheetmetal, the upcoming Forester sits on a new, larger platform

that's longer in wheelbase length by 3.6 inches for a total wheelbase of 103 inches even. Compared to the likes of some of its more SUV-like competitors, such as the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V, the Forester is still on the small side. Overall, the Forester has gained less than three inches in length, hinting at a much roomier interior and bigger cargo area. The new Forester also happens to be quite a bit taller than the outgoing model. Reinforcing its more SUV-like status is a new suspension system that offers an extra inch of ground clearance over the outgoing model, giving it a ride height that's taller than most of the vehicles it competes with. This should enable Forester drivers to take their vehicles further off the beaten path than ever before.

Subaru will continue to offer the Forester with the same engines as before, a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated H-4 and a turbocharged variant for the high-performance XT model, although performance has been altered slightly to boost low-end and mid-range torque. Specific power and torque outputs will be revealed closer to the car's introduction. Both models will be available with manual or automatic transmissions, and as always Subaru's symmetric all wheel drive system will be standard equipment. Subaru is making its VDC stability control system standard too, while Subaru's new Dynamic Chassis Control system is an option.

Subaru will show off the new Forester for the first time in North America during January's North American International Auto Show in Detroit.