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2016 Subaru Forester tS STI Takes Acceleration Test After Australia Debut

We know that this isn't an STI in the real sense. But there are 11 freaking STI badges on the car and only one or two that say "Forester." So is this the SUV equivalent of the legendary hardcore Impreza?
2016 Subaru Forester tS STI 10 photos
Photo: screenshot from Youtube
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We're about to find out if it at least goes like stink in a straight line. Under the hood of the Forester tS is a 2-liter boxer engine like the one in the BRZ. However, it produces 177 kW and 350 Nm of torque, similar to what you get in a hot hatch. Yes, that's 240 horsepower for the rest of the world.

There are many other SUVs with these sorts of setups, such as the Range Rover Evoque and even the 230 horsepower BMW X1. Of course, this happens to be the only one in the world with a boxer engine, which not even Porsche offers.

The weak link in the armor is the gearbox, which is the same sort of CVT as on the WRX. PDrive TV tested the Forester tS and achieved a 0 to 100 km/h time of 7.18 seconds. That's measured with telemetry data, so it's more accurate than all those fake acceleration tests where they count seconds in the video.

It's not the fastest 4x4 around, but I think it's impressive. For example, it matches the performance of the Skoda Octavia RS TSI and even that of the new Renault Megane GT warm hatch.

For the record, this is a limited edition car, and you could even say it's down on power. That's because over in Japan the Forester tS gets 206 kW or 270 hp, just like the WRX. But it's only really about improved handling, not outright acceleration.

For that, the STI division has fitted stiffer suspension, larger and wider tires, Brembo brakes and a body kit. If you like old-school tuning, you'll love this thing, as it's been fitted with a tower brace, a flexible support sub-frame, strengtheners for the central tunnel and inverted front struts.

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About the author: Mihnea Radu
Mihnea Radu profile photo

Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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