Report - A New Subaru Forester Turbo And Why It Makes Sense Now
The next-generation Subaru Forester needs two things to be one of the top picks for compact SUV shoppers. The 2023 Forester was the number-one-selling model in Subaru of America's all-wheel-drive lineup. Forester has dropped to third in total sales for the Camden, N.J. automaker.
What would bring back interest in the Forester SUV? A new report from Australia says the next-generation 2024 Subaru Forester could get a turbocharged engine upgrade. The latest information from CarsGuide says a turbocharged Forester appears to be coming for an Australian launch next year.
The report says Subaru Australia managing director Blair Read did not confirm the Forester turbocharged model, but he didn't deny it when asked about the new model.
"Next year marks 50 years of Subaru in Australia as an official importer. We have some exciting plans around special editions that will appeal to the Australian public," said Read.
CarsGuide says, "Once deemed unlikely for Australia, a turbocharged Forester variant seems to now be firming for our market and could even appear next year. The only question is, which one?"
There could be two options for the next-generation Forester. Subaru has the FA18 1.8-liter turbocharged Boxer engine they use in the second-generation Levorg hatchback. Subaru could sell it in Australia and Europe, but the powerplant is too small for the U.S.-spec Forester.
The FA24 2.4-liter turbocharged direct-injection Boxer engine from the 2023 Outback XT and Wilderness trim levels would be a better option to power the Forester. What would make sense is Subaru of America offering a next-generation 2024 Forester Wilderness with the 2.4-liter turbocharged engine upgrade.
Will Subaru offer a Forester hybrid?
Subaru offers a Forester hybrid, but not in North America. In Subaru's new corporate report released in November, the Japanese automaker said by 2030, at least 40 percent of its global sales will be battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) or Hybrid-electric vehicles (HEVs). We expect a U.S.-spec Forester hybrid will be one of Subaru of America's next models to get hybrid technology.
Will Subaru offer a Forester EV?
A next-generation Forester hybrid will likely come first, and a Forester battery-electric model will follow. Subaru Corporation announced earlier this year they will begin making electric vehicles in mixed production with internal combustion vehicles at its Yajima plant in Japan by 2025.
Subaru will start offering hybridized powertrains sourced from Toyota by 2025 and will build battery-electric cars itself in a new factory in Japan in the latter half of the decade.
Subaru has yet to confirm a next-generation turbocharged Forester trim level as they remain tight-lipped about its future model changes. New Forester hybrid and all-electric models are likely coming in the next seven years. Stay tuned.
Would you buy a 2024 Subaru Forester if a turbocharged engine were available? Let Subaru of America know in the comment section below.
You Might Also Like: Subaru Gets Shut Out Of The KBB Best Buy Awards Of 2023
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.
Subaru Report - We’ve got you covered! Check back tomorrow for more unique, informative SUBARU news, reviews, and previews you can trust.
Leave your comments below, share the article with friends and tweet it out to your followers!
Photo credit: Subaru USA