Not for U.S.: Subaru Launches 259HP Forester S-Edition in Australia

First unveiled in the 2010 Australian International Motor Show in Sydney last October, the Subaru Forester S-Edition has now gone on sale in Australia, alongside the revised lineup of the Japanese compact SUV. Boasting a turbocharged 2.5-liter boxer engine delivering 259HP (193kW) and 347 Nm (256 lb-ft) of torque, the new range-topping model is the most powerful Forester ever to be sold down-under.

“We have had increasing customer interest in a more powerful Forester and are delighted to be the first export market for S-Edition, which made its worldwide debut at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney last October”, said Nick Senior, Managing Director, Subaru Australia. “It combines the best of two winning Subaru formulas – WRX and Forester, the latter of which is firmly entrenched as Australia’s favorite compact SUV.”

The flat-four is coupled to a 5-speed paddle-shift automatic transmission, which sends power to all wheels through Subaru’s Variable Torque Distribution all-wheel drive system. To improve handling, engineers fitted the S-Edition with sport suspension and 17-inch Subaru Tecnica International (STi) alloys, wrapped around in 225/55 R17 Yokohama rubber.

With plenty of torque available from down low – and constant between 2,800-4,800 rpm –, the Forester S-Edition sprints to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 6.5 seconds and can reach a top speed of 228 km/h (142 mph).

Wringing this car's neck will surely result in some scary consumption figures, but, according to the official fuel economy estimates, a laidback driving style can result in the burning of just 10.5 lt/100 km (22.4 US mpg) in a combined cycle, which is downright acceptable.

Compared to its more mundane siblings, the S-Edition also comes with a black grille, various chrome accents, silver roof rails and, for a limited period, World Rally Blue color option.

Inside, sport seats clad in a combination of alcantara and leather, S-Edition seat embroidery complemented by blue stitching, sporty instrument display and special gear shifter set this model apart.

The Forester S-Edition’s base price is AUD $50,990 (about US $51,301 at today’s exchange rates).

As previously reported, the revised Forester lineup benefits from the new naturally aspirated 2.5-liter engine, capable of 170HP (127kW) and 235 Nm (174 lb-ft) of torque.

All new models feature a redesigned front grille, while inside the dashboard has a darker finish with matching metallic accents. The standard equipment list now includes seats clad in a more water resistant cloth trim, Bluetooth and USB connectivity, while XS models and above receive reversing cameras as standard.

*Note: The Subaru Forester S-Edition study is featured in the photos below

By Csaba Daradics

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VIDEO: 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Test Car Laps the Nurburgring in 7:55.00, Faster than Panamera and CTS-V

Subaru has just released test footage of its soon-to-be-launched 2011 Impreza WRX STI sedan from the Nurburgring race track. Described by the Japanese automaker as the firm's "fastest WRX STI ever", the 2011MY turned the Nurburgring race track in an impressive 7 minutes and 55 seconds in the hands of four-time World Rally Champion, Tommi Mäkinen.

For those keeping track, rally legend and Porsche test driver, Walter Röhrl, lapped the 'Ring with the 500HP Panamera Turbo in an unofficial time of 7 minutes and 56 seconds, while Cadillac's 556HP CTS-V clocked a 7:59.32 lap in 2008.

But there's a catch; the 2011 STI that lapped the 'Ring was in Subaru's own words, a prototype model. According to the company, the test car combined a series of production performance upgrades from the JDM-only R205 and C-Spec STIs including a larger turbocharger with some additional mods such as under body aero parts and aluminum fenders.

That means you can't actually compare this Subaru's lap time with that of other unaltered production models.

You can however compare it with similar, previous generation prototypes of the Impreza that Subaru has tested over the years at the Nurburgring. The first Impreza prototype to be clocked at the Nurburgring was a non-STI WRX model in 1992 that marked a lap time of 8:28.93.

After the first introduction of WRX STI version in 1994, a WRX STI version III prototype was raced at the course in 1996, recording a lap time of 8:10.75, or 18 seconds faster than the 1992 model.

The second generation WRX STI, introduced in 2000, was tested at the 'Ring, but according to Subaru, safety measures added weight to the car and the lap time of this model did not meet the company's expectations. In other words, it was most likely slower than the 1996 model. Not surprisingly, Subaru did not release a lap time for the 2000 STI.

The facelifted 2002 Impreza WRX STI test car recorded a lap time of 8:06.59 while the updated 2004 model broke the 8-minute barrier at 7:59.41. That was the most recent Nurburgring lap time as the company claims that even though it lapped the third generation Impreza STI in 2008, "rainy conditions made the tests incomplete for the lap time comparable to the previous records."

So there you have it. Enjoy the videos and the gallery below.

MAJOR SPECIFICATIONS OF 2011MY WRX STI TEST VEHICLE:

- Overall length X width X height; 4,580 X 1,795 X 1,470 mm
- Wheelbase; 2,625 mm
- Engine type; Horizontally-Opposed 4-cylinder DOHC 16-valve turbocharged engine
- Displacement; 1,994 cc
- Transmission; 6 speed manual transmission
- Tyres; 245/40 R18

MAJOR ADDED FEATURES TO THE TEST VEHICLE

<R205* model items> *R205 is a special edition for Japan
market.
- Bigger turbocharger
- 6-pot brake calipers
- Flexible tower bar
- Front lip spoiler

<spec C* model items> *spec C is a special edition for Japan market.
- Bridgestone Potenza RE070 tyres
- Aluminum hood

<Safety equipment>
- Full-bucket seat
- Roll cage
- 5-point safety belts

<Advanced items>
- Under cover
- Aluminum fenders

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