Following its international unveiling at the Tokyo Motor Show in early November 2012, the all-new Subaru Forester has been confirmed for launch to the South African market in March 2013. Featuring an all-new design, vast improvements to interior design and quality, enhancements to fuel efficiency and an increase in practicality, the all-new Forester is set to embody Subaru’s brand statement – ‘Confidence in Motion’.
New tech, higher spec
The new Subaru Forester range benefits not only from striking good looks and an all-new interior, but a host of new technologies have been developed to improve the Forester experience overall, with ease of use and peace of mind at the top of the priority list. Improvements in the practicality department include larger door openings and lower sills for easier ingress and egress of passengers and goods. Similar to that of the new Subaru XV, the new Forester boasts a new, crafted interior with marked improvements in quality and functionality, with a higher driving position improving visibility as well. The new Forester also features technological highlights which include a powered tailgate with remote controllability, SI-DRIVE and X-Mode.
Fuel economy during testing has proved to be similar to two-wheel drive SUVs of comparable stature to the new Forester, and new Premium models benefit from start/stop technology to assist in improving efficiency. Safety levels have also increased, with the fitment of seven airbags (including a driver’s knee airbag) and Subaru’s Ring-Shaped Reinforcement™ technology assisting in the new Forester being awarded five-star safety ratings by ANCAP and EuroNCAP. Other safety technologies including ABS and VDC (Vehicle Dynamics Control) are also fitted as standard.
Five new models for SA
The all-new Subaru Forester range will comprise five new models in South Africa, all of which employ proven Subaru Boxer® petrol engines and feature Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive™. The new entry-level Forester 2.0 X (six-speed manual) and 2.5 X (Lineartronic™ CVT) models are followed by the mid-grade Forester 2.5 XS, also available with Lineartronic™ transmission. The higher-grade 2.5 XS Premium sees extra luxury items fitted and the new range is topped by the new Forester 2.0 XT Lineartronic™, which makes use of a 186 kW turbocharged Boxer® engine.
Ashley Lazarus, Marketing Manager for Subaru Southern Africa, states that the imminent introduction of the all-new Forester is significant for the South African market, and its local release will be one of the earliest new Forester introductions world-wide. “The all-new Subaru Forester represents a great step forward for our brand and, with the confidence to go anywhere and explore with a fresh-zest-for-life attitude which prepares the Forester driver for adventure, we are confident that the all-new Forester will continue to find favour with South African buyers. In Japan, the new Forester has already set a new sales record in November 2012, ranking fifteenth in overall passenger vehicle sales. The new Forester joins the XV and BRZ as part of a new wave of brand-new products from Subaru and we are excited to make this important announcement.”
STORY BY SUBARU
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