The locally developed Forester XT, also known as the Prodrive edition, uses a turbocharged 2.5 litre powerplant.
Output is increased from 169 kW and 320 Nm to develop 185 kW at 5 000 r/min and a peak torque figure of 360 Nm at 3 000 r/min. Adjustments are said to drop the 1-100 km/h sprint times into the six-second bracket for both manual and automatic models.
This model can be identified by 18-inch seven-spokes and a ride height that is lower by 50 mm from the conventional Forester.
Available from May, launch prices are R359 000 for the manual and R269 000 for the Sportshift automatic.
The Forester Prodrive comes with Subaru's three-year/100 000 warranty and a three-year/63 000 km warranty plan.
A Prodrive aftermarket kit will also be made available at the approved Prodrive Subaruships in Bruma, Bryanston, Midrand and Durban.