The next-generation Subaru Forester STI has been confirmed after teaser images of the new model were leaked, along with the car's global debut timing, to take place on November 25.
Four teaser images have been outed by websites including Top Gear but Subaru and parent company Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI) are keeping mum on the details, including its boxer engine's vital statistics.
The four images reveal new alloy wheel and front end designs for the high-performance Forester, the latter very similar to the Forester STI tS concept shown a couple of months ago at the Suzuka racetrack during the Japanese Super GT racing series.
That the Forester STI tS concept was shown at a domestic race meet in Japan is telling, and is likely to be purely a Japanese domestic market (JDM) vehicle. As such its chances of coming to Australia are looking slim.
Subaru Australia was contacted for comment and comfirmed that clarification was being sought from FHI in Japan.
Updates to the front fascia include a much deeper lower valance with fang-like LED fog light clusters and telltale STI badging on the grille.
From the silhouetted image it's possible to make out new body kit additions like side skirts, and it's likely the car will get a new rear bumper to match.
Similar to the STI version of the WRX, other tweaks to the Forester STI are expected to included performance brakes/pads, tweaked suspension and a sportier interior fit-out with sports seats.
Subaru has dabbled with STI versions of the Forester medium SUV in the past, when in 2004 it unleashed a potent 240kW version of the vehicle.
The $43,490 Subaru Forester XT is currently the most powerful version in Australia, propelled by a direct-injected 2.0-litre turbo-petrol boxer engine that generates 177kW and 350Nm.
It's not clear if this 2.0-litre engine will be used in the 2015 Forester STI with a more extreme state of tune, or whether the go-fast family SUV will get the current WRX STI's engine. That unit is a bigger, beefier 2.5-litre turbo-petrol boxer engine that churns out 221kW/407Nm and would ensure the Forester STI has the stomp to match its new look.
Check back soon for updates on the car's Australian introduction.