Subaru Selects Forester (Europe Only, Sorry) For Beefier, Cleaner New Diesel
By John O'Dell September 11, 2008
VELDEN, Austria
- Subaru is about to drop its 2.0-liter boxer diesel engine into the European-spec 2009 Subaru Forester, and the company invited a contingent of U.S. media here to drive it.
We should say right up front that there are no firm plans to put this four-cylinder turbodiesel into U.S.-bound Foresters.
Indeed, company officials tell us this vehicle would not meet California emissions standards without the costly addition of an AdBlue urea tank, and Subaru of America isn't ready to commit to that or to bring in cars it can't sell in all 50 states.
Even without the urea trank to cut down toxic emissions of nitrogen oxides, or NOx, the diesel Forester, which is badged "2.0D," still has a more robust, closed-type particulate filter than the open-type filter in the diesel Legacy and Outback we've driven previously
.
Subaru says you could take the Forester for a Sunday spin of 1,016 kilometers - 630 miles - on a single, 64-liter (almost 17-gallon) tank.
That's good for a rating of 6.3 liters per 100 kilometers, or 38.5 mpg, on the European test cycle.
The horizontally opposed diesel engine is good for 145 horsepower at 3,600 rpm and 236 258 pound-feet of torque from 1,800-2,400 rpm. It's matched with a new six-speed manual gearbox that will eventually find its way to gasoline-powered Subarus as well.
After hearing that the Forester with the boxer diesel has a 4,400-pound towing capacity (no small feat in a compact SUV with unibody construction), we were prepared to be inundated by low-end torque.
However, the engine is not immune to turbo lag. Between that and its narrow power band, you need to be on your game with shifts to get around with any haste.
The trouble is that the six-speed transmission does not like to be rushed - its throws are long and notchy even by Subaru standards and the clutch takeup demands a very deliberate left foot.
The upshot is that the 2009 Subaru Forester 2.0D XS we drove did not feel especially quick - Subaru's 10.4-second zero- to-100-km/h (0-62 mph) claim is probably right on target.
To its credit, though, the engine is smooth for a diesel, and its unusual layout lends it a soundtrack like no other diesel we've ever driven.
Aside from the emissions challenge, the other obstacle to launching a diesel Forester in the U.S. is transmission-related.
Most Foresters sold in the states are automatics, and the company doesn't currently have one to go with the diesel engine.
Erin Riches, Inside Line Senior Editor
(Article updated 9/15/08 to correct torque specification.)
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Click here to comment on this entry.Europe only! Europe only! I'm tired of seeing stuff that's never coming here. Lets spend our time reporting on what we have here, as sad as that is!
Karjunkie: The reason we write about these Europe-only vehicles, engines and other green technologies is to let people know that they are out there and, perhaps, to foment some desire amongst the populace to pressure our carmakers, and government officials, to help get the good ones into use over here.
I'm hoping that we also are pretty good about reporting on, as you put it, "what we have here."
We count on readers such as you to let us know if/when we miss something.
Sorry if it sounds critical of Insideline. That wasn't my intention. I am just very frustrated that even our own domestic auto makers do not bring the fuel efficient and downright sexy cars to the U.S. Every time I see a great Ford or GM Europe product I gnash my teeth!
As do we!
Karjunkie,
In many cases the reason is very simple -- lack of provision for an automatic transmission. Most people around the world understand and value the advantages of a manual transmission. Those who do not, such as Americans, Russians, Japanese -- are not offered these manual-only vehicles. Companies just can't make a business case to be able to sell enough of them to make a profit.
For those interested, I calculated a break-even point (with many assumptions, of course) in the 2009 Forester thread. 5 years, basically.
Problem is AdBlue would increase the price, so that may take a bit longer.
In europe it costs the equivalent of $2800 more, but people here pay more than that for a hybrid upgrade. Can they include AdBlue for a similar surcharge?
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.
famof3kids you do not need a hybrid... I have business in Panama and last week I purchased a brand new Toyota Hi-Lux and drove it 4,000 miles to Arizona.... This is far better than the unproven hi brid..... I get between 35 and 40 miles a gallon on a bullet proff 4 cyl, 3.0 diesel engine, with 4x4 automatic transmission. If you want to know how you can email me.....I get all sort of great reactions, including the Toyota dealers... Drove through a river in El Salvador on the 7 day trip back here.....It easy to see why GM and Ford don't want them here.... They could not compete... Let me know.. LeGrande
OK, I'm coming a bit late to this party, but here goes: My next vehicle will be a Forester. I'd love it to be a 6-speed diesel, but I'll take a 5-speed gas, if that's all I can get.
Would I be able to pick one up in Europe and ship it back (spendy, I know)?
dth -- Don't know how long you can hold on, but we expect Subaru to bring the diesel Forester over here in a year or so. I don't recall all the ins and outs of bringing a car over from Europe, but believe one purchased there it has to have quite a few miles on it or you run afoul of U.S. emissions rules, which are different - for diesels and petrol - than in Europe.
legrande, I'd love to know the details about brining a diesel Hi-Lux into the states
legrande, I'd love to know the details about brining a diesel Hi-Lux into the states
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