2011 Subaru Forester S-Edition Previewed By Forester tS In Japan?

Less than a month after its unveiling in concept form at the Australian International Motor Show (AIMS), Subaru has today unveiled the Japanese-market 2011 Subaru Forester tS.

Virtually identical to the Forester S-Edition concept unveiled by Subaru in Sydney earlier this month, the Forester tS offers a glimpse of what we might see in the carmaker's Australian line-up early next year.

Speaking at AIMS this year, Subaru Australia MD Nick Senior confirmed that a special range-topping Forester is on the way.

“We’re delighted and honoured that Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI) have chosen Sydney for the worldwide unveil of this Forester concept," Subaru Australia Managing Director Nick Senior said.

“It points towards an exciting development in our Forester range early next year."

As with the S-Edition concept, the Forester tS is powered by the same turbocharged 2.5 litre boxer engine featuring in the automatic-equipped 2011 WRX, producing193kW and 347Nm of torque (up 24kW and 27Nm on the Forester XT).

As with the auto WRX, the Forester tS is equipped with a five-speed automatic transmission and steering column-mounted paddle gear shifters.

The Forester tS also gets an STI-modified 15mm-lower suspension package, 17-inch alloy wheels, dual exhaust outlets flanking a rear lower spoiler, and a new sports bumper up front - different even to the example used with the S-Edition.

Australia

Speaking with TMR today, Subaru Australia's David Rowley confirmed that there are no plans to launch the Japanese domestic-spec Forester tS in Australia.

It remains to be seen exactly what the has in store for Forester buyers, but a top-shelf Forest S-Edition with similar specifications seems likely.

One thing seems certain: that fender mirror has to go...