Today's Subaru concept vehicles demonstrate the diversity of the Subaru model line -- not just in what is offered by dealers, but by the directions their capabilities allow you to take them. The concepts include two Forester turbo models and one Legacy 3.0R.
2009 Forester Mountain Rescue Vehicle
Starting with a Forester XT and consulting with the National Ski Patrol, Subaru commissioned Specialized Vehicles of Troy, Michigan, to fashion this first-responder vehicle for high-altitude rescues. The Mountain Rescue Vehicle has features and equipment to carry out a rescue mission in the mountains, including safety-green paint that can be seen easily at night.
The Forester XT 2.5-liter turbocharged and intercooled engine was left stock, along with the Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. Final drive ratio of 4.11:1 also was left alone. But from there the vehicle becomes unique.
Specialized Vehicles gave the Forester a custom air suspension by Air Lift. It allows ride-height adjustment to better handle deep snow. Custom reversed 15-inch "near zero" offset Subaru steel wheels carry 30" x 9.5" Yokohama Geolandar tires, increasing ground clearance.
Bodywork includes external quick-access utility compartments. In addition, Custom TrailArmor includes fender flares, lower door cladding, and rear gate guard by Bushwacker. Other custom bodywork: front grille guard, front and rear skid plates, rock rail, and side steps by Dee Zee; taillight guards by Bushwacker; roof-mounted Visi-Light LED spotlights by Hamsar Diversco; Ultimate Performance 9.5ti thermometric 9,500-lb winch by WARN; emergency light package; and remote rear door openers. Genuine Subaru Accessories added a Sport Mesh Grille and Baja Sport Activity Lights. The Forester Mountain Rescue Vehicle also has extra-wide round cross bars by Yakima as well as Subaru Yakima Equipped ski carriers.
All that enables the vehicle to carry equipment to an emergency. On board are a rescue toboggan by Cascade and snow skis by Nordica.
Inside, the rear seat was deleted to make room for a custom diamond plate load floor. Dee Zee provided the steel compartment separator.
2009 Forester XTI
From an immensely practical emergency vehicle to a wild performance one -- the Forester XTI concept is a vision of what would happen if you could fuse together a Forester XT and WRX STI. The paint scheme's concept is that of the vehicle having entered the earth's atmosphere from space. The burnt effect in the front fades into the root beer body color. Notice the subtle SPT lettering along the side.
Adding to the XTI's aggressive appearance are Genuine Subaru Accessory Front Under Spoiler and Sport Mesh Grille as well as a Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) body kit, including side skirts, rear skirt, and gate spoiler. The XTI also has STI S204 18" x 8" forged aluminum-alloy wheels with Yokohama ADVAN Neova 255/40 R18 tires.
Not only does this Forester look strong, but it has the Subaru performance parts to back up that appearance. Its STI turbocharged/intercooled engine cranks out 315 horsepower (@ 6,000 rpm) and 300 lb-ft of torque (@ 4,000 rpm). The powertrain was given a custom stainless-steel cat-back exhaust by SPT.
The SUBARU BOXER engine is hooked up to a 6-speed manual transmission and the STI's Driver Controlled Center Differential. Braking is by BREMBO four-wheel discs, with four-piston front and dual-piston rear calipers and four-sensor Super Sport ABS with Electronic Brake-force Distribution. Other modifications include an adjustable coil-over suspension by STI.
The XTI's cabin features leather and Alcantara sport seats by STI. STI also contributed the instrument cluster, center console, and leather-wrapped steering wheel.
This Forester reminds me of the one featured at the SEMA Show a couple years ago -- see it here.
2009 Legacy 3.0R Limited by Harman Kardon
To me, the name Harman Kardon means audio, but this Legacy has a lot more than that. A sound system to make audiophiles drool is certainly part of the vehicle, but take a look! The car has JDM parts that give it the appearance of the Japanese-only limited-edition Legacy STI S402.
Well, we can dream!
Exterior modifications include JDM front fascia, front fenders, hood, and HID projector-beam headlights. Eighteen-inch STI wheels carry Yokohama Neova 235/40 R18 tires.
The stock Legacy 3.0R engine and drivetrain are supplemented by an SPT Performance Exhaust System and STI adjustable coil-over suspension, stainless-steel brake hoses, and performance brake pads.
Around the interior, custom brushed aluminum bezels trim the JBL center channel, door, and rear-deck speakers. Harman Kardon amplifiers boost speakers and subwoofers throughout.
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