Subiesport Magazine

Forester XTI, In the Flesh and on the Track

Posted on 01. Apr, 2009 by travis in News

For the past two years, it has been Subaru’s habit to release quasi-concept cars at the SEMA show. We say quasi here because these cars are usually exercises in what one “could” build with the Subaru parts bin and say, a Forester XT. So for the past two years a “Forester XTI” has been one of the SPT concepts unveiled at the show. The catch, however, is that these cars are simply fun little exercises to excite the imagination, but they are in no way a hint of what is to come from Subaru, nor are they street-legal. That said, racetracks and the cars driven on them do not have to comply with DOT regulations and with that in mind, Subaru invited us down to the Streets of Willow racetrack in Rosemond, Calif., and tossed us the keys to their latest XTI creation.

The recipe for the XTI is simple. Take one part 2009 Forester XT chassis, add one part complete 2008 STI drivetrain, a dash of custom paint and blammo; XTI. The front seats and instrument cluster have been lifted from the STI as well and the exterior has been given the JDM-only Forester STI body treatment as well as a custom gradient paint job with the SPT logo emblazoned on the side.

The complete subframes from the STI were swapped out as were front STI SPT sport springs. With the SPT springs in the rear, the car sat too low, so the stock STI springs remain in the rear. A custom exhaust system was also added as there is no SPT Forester exhaust at this moment in time.

While the FXT sports STI running gear, brakes, wheels and tires I am sad to report that an STI this is not. The chassis is noticeably more flexible and the mismatched spring rates give the car a rather “floaty” backside especially under heavy braking. However, compared to the standard Forester XT we tested some months ago, this unholy creation handles superbly and power delivery is much improved as well. In numerical terms, this car has about 85-percent of the capability of the STI, but that missing 15% is where it really matters on the track. In a street situation, this car would be great as a ass-hauling grocery-getter and with the lowered stance and JDM body bits, it looks absolutely wicked.

Will you see this car in a showroom anytime soon? The answer is still a resounding “NO,” but it shows what the guys at SPT can build with a little imagination and a parts bin that any Subaru fanatic would kill for.

(5 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

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