Subaru Tecnica International seems to have really found a market for its new "Tuned by STI" tS limited edition models. Even if this Forester tS isn't quite as extreme as the Impreza we saw yesterday it certainly shows that enthusiasts are willing to spend a bit more to gain a more sporty feel from their Subaru. Just like the Impreza the tS Forester is sold out, most of the cars having been snapped up in less than a month since their introduction late last year. Having not seen one yet I took these pictures of a customer car as it was in for maintenance at the STI headquarters in Mitaka.
Like the Legacy and Impreza that came before it the Forester tS gains only handling improvements in the form of a Flexible Tower Bar, STI tuned dampers with unmistakable pink springs and a series of chassis and suspension stiffening supports to tighten up the handling.
STI half leather half alcantara seats spice up the interior…
…while the tS badge at the rear identifies this Forester's exclusivity.
17-inch STI wheels and small front and rear bumper spoiler upgrades inject visibly more aggression to the SUV's lines. If the concept we saw at the STI stand at the Tokyo Auto Salon back in January is anything to go on, the next car to get the tS treatment will be the Exiga.
-Dino Dalle Carbonare
OFFICIAL SPEEDHUNTERS SUPPLIERS
I'd haul my kids around in that.
So they turned the Impreza into a Camry and the Forester into a minivan...
Meh, I was never a fan of the new Forester, but this one isn't half bad. It's the front end that always has me scratching my head, and that interior, which I personally do not find comfortable at all.
Automatic. don't care. Give me an older Forester XT any day
Nice and simple. It fits the car very well
Automatic FTL
Where have all the manual gearboxes gone, this is the 2nd sti I have seen in the last few days and there is no clutch pedal
Still very very nice!!
once again i like the outside, its better looking than some of its siblings within the family group, the front-end is typical of the manfacturer, all in all ok. will this model ever see UK shores?
Why cant they just make manual FXT'S again it would be so much better
This would be a nice replacement for my old Forester STi, shame all sold out
Man... never knew an SUV could be so nice. Dino I'm curious, did you just walk into STi and they had a display and a shop and stuff? I want to go up there to check the place out before I leave Japan. I'd have gone today to try, but it's raining so bad now I didn't feel like driving to Tokyo.
I want some STi goodies before I go up and pick up my Impreza STi from the dealer! =D
Peace, thanks for the awesome coverage - more than half the car stuff I find out about here in Japan comes from the things you post up!
Pity it's not a real STi & just a slightly upgraded model. Even worse when the Australian model get's released with less fruit & the media & sales reps are constantly calling it a STi.
Step in the right direction though, how about 6spd manual box & decent brakes?