CHERRY HILL, N.J., Oct 30, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Subaru of America, Inc. today revealed the Mountain Rescue Forester(R) Vehicle, built for the National Ski Patrol (NSP). It will debut at the 2008 Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA) Show that runs at the Las Vegas Convention Center Nov. 4-7. Working with Subaru of America, Detroit-based Specialized Vehicles built the Mountain Rescue Forester Concept as the ultimate first responder vehicle, bolstering its trail-driving capability and equipping it with essential Ski Patrol rescue gear.                       Based on the 2009 MOTOR TREND SUV of the Year Subaru Forester 2.5XT turbo crossover utility vehicle, the Forester Mountain Rescue Vehicle is designed to help Ski Patrol crews conduct rescues in difficult terrain and weather conditions. The men and women of Ski Patrol risk their lives in the mountains, fighting avalanches, performing daring rescues and keeping unruly skiers and snowboarders from endangering others on the slopes.         
                           Ready for Rescue Missions         
                           Subaru and skiing have gone together since 1974, when skiers first discovered the all-weather traction of Subaru models with 4-wheel drive. In stock form, the 2009 Forester 2.5XT combines Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive with 8.9 inches of ground clearance, more than other crossover SUVs, which are typically in the 6.5-7 in. range. The Forester Mountain Rescue Concept delivers more than 14 in. of ground clearance through an Air Lift custom adjustable ride height air suspension system.  Added off-road and snow traction is provided by Yokohama Geolandar MTS 30 x 9.5-in. tires on special 15-in. Subaru custom-reversed near-zero offset steel wheels.         
                           For extra protection on the trails, the Forester Mountain Rescue Concept is equipped with custom front and rear skid plates by DeeZee and custom Trail Armor by Bushwacker, including fender flares, lower door cladding, a rear gate guard and tail light guards. Skiers won't have trouble seeing the Forester Mountain Rescue Vehicle coming: an emergency light package, augmented by Subaru Genuine Accessory Baja Sport Activity Lights, ensures visibility from a distance and in all types of weather.         
                           To illuminate a rescue site, the vehicle is equipped with roof mounted Visi Light LED spotlights - five in front and two in the rear - by Hamsar Diversco. Topping off the concept vehicle's distinctive styling, a DeeZee custom grille guard helps protect the Sport Mesh Grille from Subaru Genuine Accessories.         
                           Once on the rescue site, the Ski Patrol crew can use an Ultimate Performance 9.5i Thermometric 9,500-lb. winch by WARN. Remote rear door openers and external quick-access utility compartments play a vital role when time is of the essence. Extra wide round crossbars help secure the Subaru Yakima ski carriers, which on this vehicle hold Nordica snow skis. A rescue toboggan from Cascade rounds out the rescue equipment.




Subaru Unveils High-Performance Forester XTI Concept

315-Horsepower Crossover with WRX(R) STI(R) Engine, 6-Speed Transmission - DCCD All-Wheel Drive and Brembo Brakes from WRX STI


CHERRY HILL, N.J., Oct. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Subaru of America, Inc. today
revealed the Forester(R) XTI Concept. It will be unveiled to the public at the
2008 Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA) Show, which runs at the Las Vegas Convention Center Nov. 4-7. The Forester XTI Concept combines the versatility of the all-new Forester 2.5XT with the all-out street performance of the rally-bred Impreza(R) WRX STI.

All new for 2009, the Forester was named MOTOR TREND magazine's SUV of the Year. The magazine applauded the new Forester's combination of performance, utility, comfort, safety technology and value in giving it the award. MOTOR TREND editor Angus MacKenzie, citing the judges' unanimous decision, said, "The Subaru Forester is the SUV for our times." The new Forester XTI Concept is an SUV for 0-60 times, estimated to hit the mark in less than 5 seconds.

Practically Wicked

Can a vehicle be both wicked and practical? The Subaru Forester XTI
answers with a roomy interior and a lot of turbo boost. The Forester XTI
ultra-performance CUV inherits the full STI treatment, with parts developed by
Subaru Tecnica International (STI), the high-performance and motorsports
subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd.

The "Wicked" portion starts with the styling, which is set off by a custom
Atmospheric "Re-Entry" paint scheme. The front lower spoiler and Sport Mesh
Grille are from the Subaru Genuine Accessory catalog and are joined by a JDM
body kit, including side skirts, a rear skirt and a gate spoiler.

Designed and built by Subaru of America technicians, the crew installed
the engine and entire drivetrain from the Impreza WRX STI. In the Forester
XTI, a custom stainless steel cat-back exhaust system from the Subaru
Performance Tuning (SPT) catalog helps to raise output of the 2.5-liter
intercooled turbo engine to 315 hp (from 305 stock) and 300 lb.-ft. of torque
(from 290 lb.-ft. stock). As in the WRX STI, power flows through a close-ratio
6-speed manual transmission and the Driver Controlled Center Differential
(DCCD) version of Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. The DCCD system offers three selectable automatic performance modes in addition to six manual center differential-locking settings.

The 18 x 8-in. S204 forged alloy wheels are by STI and are wrapped in
Yokohama Advan Neova 255/40R18 performance tires. The Forester XTI also
features an adjustable coil-over suspension by STI. The powerful Brembo brakes come right from the stock WRX STI, with 4-piston front calipers, 2-piston rear calipers, Super Sport ABS and Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD). Inside, the Forester XTI features leather and Alcantara sport seats, a special instrument cluster, front dash and center console and leather-wrapped steering wheel.

About Subaru of America, Inc.

Subaru of America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy
Industries Ltd. of Japan. Headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J., the company
markets and distributes Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of nearly 600 dealers across the United States.

Subaru makes the best-selling All-Wheel Drive car sold in America based on
R.L. Polk & Co. new vehicle retail registration statistics calendar year-end
2007. In addition, Subaru boasts the most fuel efficient line-up of all-wheel
drive products sold in the market today based on Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) fuel economy standards. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero- landfill production plants and Subaru of Indiana Automotive Inc. is the
only U.S. automobile production plant to be designated a backyard wildlife
Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. For additional information visit
Subaru.com Homepage.