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Subaru Corporation and Subaru Tecnica International (STI) announced a new Forester STI Sport today, but it’s only available in Japan and forbidden fruit in North America. Subaru brings the new Forester STI Sport with suspension upgrades and a turbocharged Boxer engine. If Subaru of America offered it, Forester fans in the U.S. would buy the upgraded Forester STI.
Subaru has previously offered the Forester STI to customers in Japan, and customers in the U.S. can only look and not touch. Here is what the newly-announced Japan-spec Forester STI Sport offers.
The 2022 Forester STI Sport is powered by a 1.8-liter turbocharged direct-injection (DIT) four-cylinder, lean combustion Boxer engine. It produces 175 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque.
Subaru says the new Forester improves driving performance and handling with its new STI tuning damper. The Forester STI Sport comes equipped with suspension tuning developed by STI with a Hitachi Astemo Sensitive Frequency Response Front Damper (SFRD).
The Forester STI Sport
Forester STI Sport also has custom black 18-inch aluminum wheels, a multi-information dash display, black Nappa leather seats with red stitching, and STI badging on the front and rear.
Subaru fans want the Forester with a turbocharged engine upgrade
Forester fans would like to see Subaru Corporation and Subaru Tecnica International take the new Forester STI even further and build an actual STI performance model with a turbocharged engine to go along with the STI badging. The FA24 2.4-liter Boxer turbocharged WRX engine would be a perfect fit under the hood of the Forester STI Sport.
The current U.S. spec 2022 Forester Sport trim only comes with the standard 2.5-liter, producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. It’s not enough for performance enthusiasts.
Subaru of America could hit a sweet spot with customers if it brought a next-generation 2024 Forester model to its U.S. customers. Customers want a new 2024 Subaru Forester STI Sport trim level with comfortable seats, an upscale interior, and 260 horsepower.
Let Subaru of America know in the comments below if you would buy a next-generation 2024 Forester STI Sport and what upgrades it should feature.
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Denis Flierl has invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role working with every major car brand. He is an accredited member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press. Check out Subaru Report where he covers all of the Japanese automaker's models. More stories can be found on the Torque News Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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Comments
I think with all the other
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I think with all the other suv turbos on the market -ford st line, mopar even toyota prime and acura rdx, Subaru needs to step up. After kicking the performance crowd with no sti and the lame new wrx I think a sti forester with a scoop and manual that puts down great 0-60 it will help stop the bleeding for some of the sti crowd also people wanting a wrx hatch. My 2 cents. from customer since 99, 4 forester xt under my belt.
I think Subaru is happy with
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In reply to I think with all the other by Rick C (not verified)
I think Subaru is happy with how quickly they sell all their inventory. They don't care about having another option when people can't stop buying their present stock.
Please bring a Forester XT
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Please bring a Forester XT with the 2.4 turbo back to the North American market, but please please please keep the eight-inch touchscreen and NOT the huge eleven inch one from the Outback!
We want turbo power and still have functional buttons and switches without having everything buried in a submenu on the touchscreen.
A "special-order" manual transmission would also go a long way to restoring your CRED amongst the enthusiast crowd. Just saying.
Why even offer something like
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In reply to Please bring a Forester XT by Salty T. (not verified)
Why even offer something like that with aCVT? Should be manual only. Otherwise-buy a Kia
As a three time manual
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In reply to Please bring a Forester XT by Salty T. (not verified)
As a three time manual transmission Forrester owner since the early 2000’s, I have been waiting for the new Turbo Sport as I feel the existing engine needs more power! But here’s the thing, I don’t want to give up on the manual transmission either. And I understand the 11inch screen is too much and too big. Like the previous owner stated give me the smaller screen and more buttons
At this point no one in USA
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At this point no one in USA cares anymore. Subaru missed their opportunity. I already went from a 2018 XT to a 2022 RAV4 Prime XSE. Only upgrade from the XT that’s worth it. Electrification is the future.
I’m holding on to my 2005
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I’m holding on to my 2005 Forester turbo until you come out with a new Forester turbo engine. I love this car AND the quickness. It’s like a wagon and a sports car combining the best of both. Other companies are now offering turbo engines , why have you stopped? It’s doesn’t make sense when all of us don’t want to give up that extra zip when you need it! So please come out with a 2024 turbo available in 2023, just in case Jett slows up. The best car I’ve ever owned, beating my Mazda and my Volvo.
I agree. Ive got a fully
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In reply to I’m holding on to my 2005 by Ellen (not verified)
I agree. Ive got a fully dressed engine
about to be installed in my 05 SG'XT.
This new model would Sell.
In 2024 it must be something
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In 2024 it must be something more impressive than 1.8 or even 2.4 Turbos. And Subaru please do something with CVT transmission. After 50K km I started feeling some vibrations from transmission in my Outback 2020 2.4XT.
How about some exciting
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How about some exciting colors? Too many white, grey, silver, platinum, steel. Black, etc models. And better variations on red and blue.
What about towing capacity I
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What about towing capacity I have 2018 forester xt can only tow 1500 lbs with a turbo can we get some real performance out of these underpowered vehicles?
We recently sold our 2014 XT
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We recently sold our 2014 XT and bought a 2022
Forester Touring model. We love it but miss the acceleration of the XT needed often when merging on to a freeway. If an XT version returns I’m on it!
i would buy an sti forester
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i would buy an sti forester with turbo, especially if it came in 5 or 6 speed manual. if it comes automatic only, it would be my "wife's" car.
In would LOVE a Forester with
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In would LOVE a Forester with the new 2.4T motor. I currently have the Legacy XT with the 2.4T. It's a WRX for dads. Subaru made a killing with the Forester XT turbo. They need to bring this thing to North America. Parents need to have fun too. Besides, We're the ones with the money...
If they built it I would buy
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If they built it I would buy it.
Nuff Said!!!
Yes, please!!! Horsepower is
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Yes, please!!! Horsepower is the only thing I miss since I bought my 2015 Forester. Everything else about the SUV is EXCELLENT- it just needs more get up and go. I cringe when I punch it and the RPMs spin up and there’s no punch in the engine.
Why don't you sell hybrid
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Why don't you sell hybrid Subarus in Washington state? They are sold in Oregon & California, but not here in Washington. You have forced me to consider Toyota for my next purchase. My old 2004 Forester is in need of replacement.
This is exactly what I've
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This is exactly what I've dreamed of. The 260 spec Forester would be a perfect replacement for my '13 WRX hatch. It wouldn't even be a hesitation for me to trade it in if something like that dropped tomorrow.
Long time Subaru fan since
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Long time Subaru fan since 2001. We cross shopped the Forester against its competitors. We ended up with a Mazda CX-5 grand touring reserve with 310 lb ft of torque with a more engaging chassis than the Forester. A Forester STI with a 2.4L turbo engine and better dampers would have been an awesome option.
I hear the next STI cars
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I hear the next STI cars might be electric, and I'm looking forward to that. I was a very satisfied owner of a new 2006 impreza wrx, and i would love to buy an all-electric wrx sedan in the future.
We WANT the Sti Forester
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We WANT the Sti Forester please!
Current owner of a modified
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Current owner of a modified 2019 Subaru Forester Sport that I love. I would totally trade it in for a 2024 forester sport STI though. I have already order parts from Japan for my car in the accessory realm and have more I would like to obtain.