R
Robert Irvine
Car and Driver magazine in the USA managed a 5.3 0-60mph in the Forester,
which was
quicker than they have managed in the WRX.
I've beaten a couple of WRXs away from the traffic lights (just) and it was
not as if they had
been surprised or anything, as they were beaten several lights in a row.
The dyno sheets coming in from the states seems to indicate that Subaru have
underquoted the
kW and Nm on the Forester, or have quoted 'hot' values. (30+ air
temperature, where you
notice that power is down)
But, if you like Subaru's figures, the Forester XT auto is quoted as quicker
than the WRX auto.
Also note that the manual WRX is 30kg lighter than the manual Forester,
while the auto WRX is
the same weight as the auto Forester.
If you have a look at the dyno charts in the technical articles on the
Forester, you will see that the
torque and power start lower on the Forester, meaning it is much easier to
get off the line, which is
probably why (with your average WRX driver) it is possible to beat them in
the traffic light drags.
When it comes to the twisty bits, the WRX is going to be the winner through
the bend, but watch
out as the Forester leaps out of the corners as it's easier to keep on
boost.
(mind you, with the STi springs, and struts from a WRX on the Forester, they
have been found to
corner extremely well.)
And yes, I own one.
(let's not get started on the insurance savings)
rob.
which was
quicker than they have managed in the WRX.
I've beaten a couple of WRXs away from the traffic lights (just) and it was
not as if they had
been surprised or anything, as they were beaten several lights in a row.
The dyno sheets coming in from the states seems to indicate that Subaru have
underquoted the
kW and Nm on the Forester, or have quoted 'hot' values. (30+ air
temperature, where you
notice that power is down)
But, if you like Subaru's figures, the Forester XT auto is quoted as quicker
than the WRX auto.
Also note that the manual WRX is 30kg lighter than the manual Forester,
while the auto WRX is
the same weight as the auto Forester.
If you have a look at the dyno charts in the technical articles on the
Forester, you will see that the
torque and power start lower on the Forester, meaning it is much easier to
get off the line, which is
probably why (with your average WRX driver) it is possible to beat them in
the traffic light drags.
When it comes to the twisty bits, the WRX is going to be the winner through
the bend, but watch
out as the Forester leaps out of the corners as it's easier to keep on
boost.
(mind you, with the STi springs, and struts from a WRX on the Forester, they
have been found to
corner extremely well.)
And yes, I own one.
(let's not get started on the insurance savings)
rob.
