Also, the longer piston stroke helps increase low- and mid-rpm torque. In fact, the engine produces a little more torque (4 ft-lb) at lower rpm (4,100 instead of 4,400).
The mill also uses a new, lighter, resin-based intake manifold, while the oil filter is now found on the upper front side. An unusual layout, but apparently a more practical one.
Concrete improvements
Other than the superior torque at any engine speed, the mill also benefits the driver in a very tangible way: it’s less of a guzzler than its predecessor.
Contrary to the expectations of some, the automatic and manual transmissions provide an equal improvement I swear. Yes, it’s still Subaru's eternal 4EAT autobox sporting 4 measly gears (I know, I know). Yet the automaker is proudly touting an average figure of 8.7 litres per 100 kilometres. Even if the rating was obtained in a lab, when compared to Subaru’s official numbers for the 2010 Forester, we’re still talking about a 4% increase in fuel efficiency.
In the case of the Forester 2.5X base and Touring models, the two versions available with a 5-speed manual transmission (as standard tranny), the cited average fuel economy rating, 8.7 L / 100 km, which also represents a 4% increase.
The best part is that these “new and improved” Foresters are available either at the same price as their 2010 brethren, or at a very similar one.
Recognized attributes
That’s about it for the main improvements. As for the rest, the vehicle before us is largely similar to the 2010 models.
In fact, Subaru is still offering a PZEV version of its Forester 2.5X. It uses a variant of the new naturally aspirated mill that produces fewer emissions, like in 2010. Also, the Forester 2.5XT is still in the 2011 portfolio, but is now powered by the turbo engine used in the 2010 models and not a supercharged variant of the new Boxer.
Naturally, all Foresters are equipped with a constant mesh all-wheel drive, one of the best systems currently out there. With its relatively high ground clearance (225 mm), this SUV allows the driver to wander off the beaten path, even in winter. We experienced it for ourselves when Subaru invited us for a test drive in the Quebec City area.
The mill also uses a new, lighter, resin-based intake manifold, while the oil filter is now found on the upper front side. An unusual layout, but apparently a more practical one.
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| Passengers are still greeted by the same modern dash. (Photo: Subaru Canada) |
Concrete improvements
Other than the superior torque at any engine speed, the mill also benefits the driver in a very tangible way: it’s less of a guzzler than its predecessor.
Contrary to the expectations of some, the automatic and manual transmissions provide an equal improvement I swear. Yes, it’s still Subaru's eternal 4EAT autobox sporting 4 measly gears (I know, I know). Yet the automaker is proudly touting an average figure of 8.7 litres per 100 kilometres. Even if the rating was obtained in a lab, when compared to Subaru’s official numbers for the 2010 Forester, we’re still talking about a 4% increase in fuel efficiency.
In the case of the Forester 2.5X base and Touring models, the two versions available with a 5-speed manual transmission (as standard tranny), the cited average fuel economy rating, 8.7 L / 100 km, which also represents a 4% increase.
The best part is that these “new and improved” Foresters are available either at the same price as their 2010 brethren, or at a very similar one.
Recognized attributes
That’s about it for the main improvements. As for the rest, the vehicle before us is largely similar to the 2010 models.
In fact, Subaru is still offering a PZEV version of its Forester 2.5X. It uses a variant of the new naturally aspirated mill that produces fewer emissions, like in 2010. Also, the Forester 2.5XT is still in the 2011 portfolio, but is now powered by the turbo engine used in the 2010 models and not a supercharged variant of the new Boxer.
Naturally, all Foresters are equipped with a constant mesh all-wheel drive, one of the best systems currently out there. With its relatively high ground clearance (225 mm), this SUV allows the driver to wander off the beaten path, even in winter. We experienced it for ourselves when Subaru invited us for a test drive in the Quebec City area.
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| Thanks to its constant mesh all-wheel drive and high ground clearance, you can head off the beaten track on occasion. (Photo: Luc Gagné/Auto123.com) |