Subaru's long-awaited diesel-powered Forester has officially arrived in Australia. The Forester 2.0D uses a variation of the 2.0-litre horizontally opposed four-cylinder turbo-diesel unit which was realised earlier this year in the Outback 2.0D.

In the larger and heavier Outback, delivers 110kW of power at 3600rpm and 350Nm of torque from 1800 to 2400rpm, averages 6.4 litres per 100 kilometres and returns a carbon dioxide emissions rating of 160 grams per kilometre.

The Forester 2.0D has spearhead a raft of changes to Australia's bestselling compact SUV in 2010 as the Subaru approaches its mid-cycle makeover.

This car is a part of the MY11 model year, the Forester facelift includes a new-look front end, revised taillights, and upgraded cabin materials.

More importantly, buyers of the volume-selling Forester 2.5i petrol models are set to enjoy significant improvements in fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emission levels thanks to a host of mechanical efficiency gains. A six-speed manual application is on the cards, although this may be limited to the flagship Forester XT turbo.

The Lineartronic transmission made its Australian debut in the fifth-generation Liberty and Outback launched in September last year.