KWSUPRA

I read in the Car and Driver article that the main reason that the Forester will accelerate quicker than the WRX is because its gearing is much better for 1/4 mile. Does anyone know if the 04 WRX's are coming with the same gears as the Forester or are they the same ones that the 03 WRX's have? It seems strange that Subaru would have the Forester being quicker than the WRX when its the WRX that is supposed to be the sports sedan. Any help or comments would be appreciated.

WRXSTIle

I just typed this but what the hell I'll do it again. I think that gearing plays a pretty big role but I also think that they are undershooting the hp/tq numbers a bit. times just don't match up. The block is alot better than the one in the wrx basicly a detuned version of the STI same engine is slated for the baja and the Legacy also. I really want to see a dyno chart.

KWSUPRA

I dont understand Subarus logic here at all though. Why would you want the Forester running quicker times than what is supposed to be your performance car in the WRX? Subaru should be using the Forester motor in the WRX now. It would make it a lot torquey down low and it would also leave a nice gap between it and the Sti model.

WRXSTIle

I wouldn't be real suprised to see it be put in the the WRX soon. the only thing is is that the WRX is "rally inspired" and they use 2.0 litre engines.
I just heard today that the tranny in the forester XT is supposed to be a 5 speed STI type.

Vince Turner

First I've heard about the XT having a different 5sp than other Subaru's. Where did you hear that? I really doubt that the tranny has been beefed up. I suspect that may be one reason why the output dropped 90hp from the STI - because the tranny can't handle any more than 210hp/235pdft.

WRXSTIle

I know a guy who works for subaru and he told me about the tranny. Almost everything about the forester XT is different than the other Subies and the new turbo models are supposed to be treated the same way. And besides do you really think they would put out a forester that would have close to the same performance numbers as the STI?

Vince Turner

I think that a beefed up tranny would be big enough news that someone like Car & Driver would have gotten that info from Subaru when they were allowed to test the XT and they would have passed this info on in their road test.

WRXSTIle

I'm not saying I've seen it in writing But I know a guy who has that tranny in his SVX as well, and it isn't the same as the one that other guys have, at a minimum its different gear ratios. On top of that the guy I know is a Subaru parts guy and he was the one who told me that the part number was the same. Besides to C and D a 5 speed is just a 5 speed it those of us who have experienced bad Subaru trannies that have noticed. When they did a second review of the WRX they never mentioned the "better transmission parts". They suprised us by doing up the STI in a big way why not their new turbo models.

Vince Turner

I definitely hope you are right. I guess I'm just skeptical that the XT tranny is any beefier than the WRX 5spd. If anyone has heard this I'd appreciate hearing about it.

JimQPublic

Subaru Australia has a great tech writeup.

http://subaru.com.au/downloads/929305.pdf
This quote is from numbered page 12 (page 15 in .pdf):

Derbagley

The XT is NOT faster than the WRX- it is quicker.

When you combine a higheer tourque engine with lower gearing in a car that is not much heavier (The forester is alot smaller than it seems) you will achieve a good 1/4 mile run.

The reason that the 2.5 was opted for in the XT was as an SUV it needed torque. The 2.0 would not provide that. also I would like to know the weight differences between the 2.5 and the 2.0.

If you test drive them back to back, you realize that they are two DIFFERENT vehicles in every way possible when you start with the same platform.

The WRX is the faster/better handling vehicle. But my parents went with the XT for a few reasons....

1. My dad is not a svelte man...the WRX seats were uncomfortable.
2. The forester was smoother, nicer ride, and a little better headroom (my parents drive around my 80+ year old grandparents alot)
3. My father was born in 1945. That means he got his license at 1961. He lived through the era of big torque. He couldn't wait for the turbo to spool up and bring on a rush of power- the low lag of the XT was more to his liking.

But I do think your right that they will come out with a good handling turbo 2.5 with a real turbo on it (the 2.5 XT turbo is a little low pressure puppy) Most likely this will end up in the next legacy. The 2.5 WRX may go over well here- but just remember that subaru plays to the world market....and gas is EXPENSIVE over in europe- not to mention the rally heritage- a 2.5l WRX would not go over well there (my dad's XT gets lousy gas mileage for a 4 banger)

But with the US Subaru market growing- you never can tell what those wacky guys at Fuji Heavy Industries will whip up.

Just promise me one thing FHI....don't start to over-price the cars and make it into a luxury marque. The cool thing is kicking the Audi's A$$ and doing it at half the price!

Ok.. I'm done, my fingers hurt.