Subaru Forester All Wheel Drive

2000 December: The turbo charged Subaru Forester GT gets five more kiloWatts, up to 130kW at 5600rpm, not quite the 160kW of the 2001 WRX but a healthy hurry along. Torque is 245Nm at 4400rpm.

The 2001 Forester GT has standard cruise control, an in-dash 6-CD player, improved engine immobilser and wood grain centre console.

Prices: Forester manual $26,990, Forester Ltd $31,290, Forester GT $37,990, auto +$1,870 ($au 12/2000).

2000 January: model year 2000 Subaru Forester had an update for the new century, the original car being introduced in 1997/1998.

The shape has been changed slightly with new grille, bonnet (hood), bumpers, lights and tail-gate. On the safety front, dual front airbags are now standard and front side airbags are optional. All three rear seats now have head-rests and three-point seat belts. The suspension is also said to have been improved.

Prices range from $27,740 (base, manual), to $32,240 (Limited, manual) to $37,740 (GT, manual). Automatic transmission adds $2000 ($au 1/2000). Dual side airbags and a sunroof are $2,500 options on the Forester Limited.

Subaru Australia had a very good 1999, sales including 7390 Foresters, up 13% on 1998; see news, 1/'00

Subaru Forester 2000

• station wagon, 5 seats, 4 doors, dual airbags standard
• loa: 4450mm, width: 1690mm, height: 1580mm, ground clearance: 200mm LI wheelbase: 2525mm, track: 1455mm, towing: 500kg (unbraked) -->
• Std and Ltd:
  • 2L, petrol, 4-cyls, mpfi, 4-valves/cyl
  • power: 92kW, torque: 184Nm at 3600rpm
• GT:
  • 2L, petrol, 4-cyls, mpfi, turbo-charged, 4-valves/cyl
  • power: 125kW at 5600rpm, torque: 240Nm at 3200rpm (2000)
  • 130kW at 5600rpm, 245Nm at 4400rpm from late 2000 for 2001 m.y.
• transmission: 5m/4a, dual range, all wheel drive
• suspension: indep'/indep'
• 16" wheels (GT); fuel tank: 60L
• warranty: 3 years / unlimited km
• prices:
  $27,740 (base, manual), $32,240 (Ltd, manual), $37,740 (GT manual), auto' +$2,000 ($au 1/2000)
  base manual $26,990, Ltd $31,290, GT $37,990, auto +$1,870 ($au 12/2000)
• rivals: Honda CR-V, Land Rover Freelander, Toyota RAV4
• - www.4wdonline.com/Subaru/Subaru.html

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