Subaru's next-generation Forester SUV has been spied testing in the US this week, offering a first look at the current model's replacement.
The all-new SUV is expected to make its debut late next year or in early 2014, around six years after the launch of the third-generation Forester.
Expect the new Forester to bring a smoothed-out look to its styling, while retaining elements of the boxy design that Suby's top-selling SUV is known for.
The Forester will likely continue to utilise a modified version of the platform that underpins the smaller Impreza range, and Subaru's switch to framed door windows for the current model will continue here.
The test car spied here also shows a move to the increasingly common quarter-window forward visibility design in the front doors, with the side-mirror stalk moved to the door panel.
Inside, the new Forester's cabin will follow the formula of the current model: that is, copy the Impreza's dash over to the larger SUV and resize to suit.
Power for the new Forester will likely come from the same new FB boxer engine that debuted in Australia early last year, along with the recently revised 2.0 litre diesel engine.
For Subaru, with the midsized and compact SUV segments now hotter than ever, this next Forester will be important to its fortunes in this market.
In Australia, medium SUV sales make up nearly 10 percent of the market, bettered only by small cars (23 percent), light cars (12.7 percent), and larger SUVs (10.7 percent).
The Forester continues to be Subaru's top-selling model with 1814 sold so far in 2012, leading the XV (1660), Liberty (1088) and Outback (809).
This info and more can be found at: http://www.themotorreport.com.au
