SUBARU's new Forester sports utility has been voted Towcar Of The Year.

It beat 52 other cars for the title in a competition held by The Caravan Club.

The turbocharged Forester 2.0-litre XT, which also scored a category win in the Compact 4x4 class, bet off challenges from such diverse cars as the new Volkswagen Touareg, BMW 330d Sport Touring and Mercedes-Benz E-class.

Judges said the car displayed great all-round performance with turbocharging pushing up the power and torque to produce an excellent towcar.

There were a number of changes to this year's competition including changes to the way categories were named, in order to reflect the ever changing face of the consumer market. Instead of price classes, cars were evaluated in groups according to body style. The new categories enable Caravan Club members and car-buyers at large to determine easily the correct towing vehicle for their needs.

Also, winning cars from last year were invited to return to defend their crown as it was felt that just because a car is new does not necessarily mean it is better that last year's winner. Fifty-three cars entered the competition, their combined value in excess of £1m, and were put rigorously through their paces at Millbrook Proving Ground, the vehicle testing centre in Bedfordshire.

Six driving judges assessed towing performance with points awarded for traction, stability, braking, acceleration and hill-starts. Cars were also tested for "caravanability", that is for user-friendliness and ability to accommodate passengers comfortably, along with typical caravanning holiday luggage and equipment.

At the end of the three-day testing programme, the judges scores were counted and seven category winners named, together with the Tow Car Of The Year.

The Forester, praised for its performance and reliability, also scored for its pulling power and unique combination of flat four petrol engine and four-wheel drive aid stability, as well as its unique "hill holder" clutch, a real boon for caravanners. Other points which captured the judges' eyes were the car's body shape with its short rear overhang, good passenger cabin and also its better-quality controls.

Launched last October, the Forester has an on-the-road price of £20,995.

It is not the first towcar success for Subaru, having picked up previous class awards for its original Forester and another for the 3.0-litre Outback model.

Updated: 09:53 Friday, October 17, 2003