The Sports models get a new front bumper and a unique black mesh grille and are stripped of the roof rail crossbars. (They remain available as an accessory.) In the cabin, the Sports models get exclusive anthracite black cloth upholstery and an AM/FM stereo with a six-disc in-dash CD changer that will play MP3/WMA CDs. Sirius Satellite Radio capability and a new auxiliary audio jack for iPods are also part of the system.The Forester Sports 2.5 X is powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder boxer engine that makes 173 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 166 pound-feet of torque at 4,400 rpm. The turbocharged/intercooled 2.5-liter engine in the Sports 2.5 XT produces 224 hp at 5,600 rpm and 226 lb-ft of torque at 3,600 rpm. When equipped with the standard five-speed manual transmission, the Sports 2.5 XT can go from zero to 60 mph in less than 6 seconds, the company said.
The Sports 2.5 XT with an optional four-speed automatic transmission is the first Forester model equipped with Vehicle Dynamics Control, an advanced stability system that integrates an electronic four-wheel traction-control system.
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