Facelifted Forester another notch in the belt for Subaru

Subaru general manager Wally Dumper set the record straight a couple of years ago, after a sweeping insurance industry report said Subarus were a favourite target of car thieves.

"The only Subarus being stolen are used imports," he said back then.

"They don't have the anti-theft devices we are fitting to New Zealand-new models." Insurance rap sheets backed him up.

He said the same thing again last year. "Check the car-theft records - nothing's changed."

"No new Subaru equipped with our anti-theft devices has been stolen. It's all used imports still."

It's the same story this year. Dumper repeated it at the recent launch of the facelifted Forester, which has the maximum five-star crash rating.

Like all all-wheel-drive Subarus, the Forester gets an engine immobiliser and the data dots security system.

An immobiliser doesn't prevent the car from being hot-wired and started. But it does stop it from being driven more than a few metres before the engine stalls and refuses to start again.

Data dots is a show-and-tell security system. Each minute dot contains a vehicle identification number (VIN) that shows up under ultra-violet light. More than 10,000 are sprayed throughout the car.

Car thieves are blindsided by the light.

The 2006 Forester gets an extensive makeover, with new styling refinements, more power, improved manual and automatic transmissions, suspension, handling and ride performance.

On the outside, the car gets a revised grille, twin headlights and taillights, plus indicators incorporated into the larger wing mirrors.

The re-profiled front bumper includes new compact fog lights for the Forester XS and XT.

The turbocharged XT gets bigger wheels, too, up from 16- to 17-inch alloys, and high intensity discharge headlights with pop-out power jet washers.

Inside, there is a new design multi-function centre console. This also acts as a sliding centre armrest for front-seat occupants, and contains two extra cup holders and a sliding mini-tray for rear passengers.

Deeper rear seat squabs improve thigh support by 50mm.

"We are confident the innovations featured in the new Forester will take it to new success levels, despite a highly competitive sales sector," said Dumper.

"Every key area of the vehicle has received attention, from exterior design through to engines, suspension and interior specification. It means we now offer the most comprehensive Forester range ever."

The top-line Forester XT gets a 9 per cent boost in power, from 155kW to 169 kW at 5600 rpm. It has a braked towing capacity of 1800kg.

Power in the naturally aspirated Forester X and XS is up 8 per cent, from 112kW to 121kW at 5600 rpm. Torque on these models increases from 223Nm to 226Nm at 4400 rpm.

The range starts with the entry level five-speed manual Forester X, priced at $35,990.