The fifth-generation Subaru Forester recently
premiered at the New York Auto Show looking slightly more purposeful than the
outgoing model but not quite as bold as we’d anticipated. Fortunately, X-Tomi
Design has spiced up the new Forester with an STI variant that encompasses all
the bespoke parts you could ever expect from a performance-focused Subaru.
At the front, an entirely new fascia has been
fitted, including a blacked-out grille, custom bumper, and modified air
intakes. Moving along the sides of the SUV reveals black, multi-spoke wheels,
red brake calipers, and extended side skirts. New suspension has also dropped
the vehicle’s ride height down to an appropriate level.
If Subaru were to make an STI version of the latest
Forester, it wouldn’t be too difficult. In all likelihood, the 2.5-liter
four-cylinder of the WRX STI could easily slot into the SUV’s engine bay with
over 300 hp. For performance enthusiasts with a family that need ample luggage
space, this could be the perfect Subaru.
It isn’t the engine of the 2019 Forester which is
the real selling point, however. Instead, the vehicle comes adorned with a
plethora of impressive safety features, including the Automatic Pre-Collision
Braking, Lane Keep Assist, and Pre-Collision Throttle Management as part of the
EyeSight Driver Assist technology package.
