Announcing the new exclusive STI-developed 2015 Subaru Forester tS

Subaru launches the new STI-developed 2015 Forester tS performance SUV. Will the U.S. and other global markets get left out again?

This special 2015 Subaru Forester tS offers all the goodies performance fans want on an SUV, but don’t expect it to be sold anywhere outside the Japan market. We knew it was coming and Subaru announced the new 2015 Forester tS is launching in Japan with some special equipment developed by Subaru Tecnica International (STI). This Forester tS gets more than just a few extra STI badges.

Subaru Tecnica International (STI) is the motorsports headquarters of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. and is the performance division for Subaru. STI has extensively tested the Forester STI Concept vehicle on tracks like the Nurburgring in Germany and their own test facility near Gunma Japan. The technology went into developing this new 2015 Forester tS that the Japanese automaker is launching today. Let’s take a look at what the new performance SUV features inside, outside and underneath.

Forester tS developed by STI

The new Forster tS gets it’s own performance specs from STI. tS stands for tuned by STI and the performance division has given it some nice upgrades. STI wanted the new Forester tS to be able to handle the normal conditions on the road that drivers will experience and still give it true performance driving dynamics. STI says, “This is a complete STI car that was thoroughly pursued.”

What’s inside?

Forester tS comes with an STI-enhanced cabin and features a sports luminescent 260km/h display with STI logo, leather-wrapped steering wheel with red stitching and STI logo, STI push-button start, Kawamaki shift lever (STI logo), Black leather seats/door trim with red suede accents and red stitching, carbon-style instrument panel, silver dial & piano black air conditioning switch (with red bezel), Black Interior Madokata pillar and roof trim and side sill plate with STI logo. STI also added extra sound insulation material and special STI floor mats to finish out the interior.

Exterior STI treatments

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2015 Forester tS gets STI treatments on the outside to set it apart and for aerodynamic performance. It features a blacked-out grille with cherry red pin stripes and red STI logo, STI front spoiler / STI rear under spoiler, Black roof spoiler, large diameter muffler cutter, metallic silver, Fog light bezel, Black door mirror, Black side window Mall, metallic silver side cladding, Rear bumper with cherry red pin stripes, STI ornaments (front / rear) and tS ornament (side / rear).

Special equipment underneath Subaru Forester tS

This special Forester sits 15mm lower than the regular SUV and gets a special STI suspension setup and tuning for performance driving dynamics. Underneath it features 19-in BBS aluminum wheels wrapped in 245/45R19 Turanza ER33 performance tires, 17-in ventilated Brembo disc brakes both front and rear with red STI logo, a track-tested STI-tuned suspension, flexible tower bar, draw stiffeners both front and rear, a flexible support sub-frame in the rear, dedicated ECU unit, dedicated TCU transmission control unit and a oil cooler for the 8-step CVT automatic. The CVT features an S # mode (Sport) on the SI-DRIVE for performance driving.

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STI didn’t reveal the engine specs on the new Forester tS, but if it comes with the same boxer engine as the new 2015 WRX S4, it will be powered with the new 2.0-liter that produces 221 kW (296 hp) and 400 Nm (295 lb ft of torque). Subaru says it will achieve 31 mpg in the JC08 mode Japanese cycle test.

Safety first with Forester tS

The new performance SUV will also come with Subaru’s newest-generation safety equipment called EyeSight. This safety system has earned global praise for its ability to prevent collisions in all Subaru-equipped vehicles. It will also feature a dedicated VDC (Vehicle Dynamics Control) system.

Forester tS is a true performance SUV developed by STI for performance fans in Japan. It will be ultra-exclusive with only 300 examples being produced for the Japan-only market. Subaru says ordering for the Forester tS will only be available through April 5, 2015. The all-new 2015 Subaru Forester tS will not be offered in any other global markets, so performance fans in North America, Australia and Europe only get to look and not touch.