Subaru News: Refined Forester the Quiet Achiever

[motorculture]

Subaru has launched its Model Year 2016 All-Wheel Drive Forester range with a refined yet robust new look, quieter more comfortable cabin and upgraded instruments.

Suspension upgrades aiding stability, plus Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) improvements, underline Forester’s status as Subaru’s best-selling Sports Utility Vehicle in Australia.

Forester’s fresh face is reflected in the new front bumper (excluding 2.0XT), grille, headlights, plus – in range-topping variants - fog light surrounds.

Distinctive new tail lights also add to the visual appeal.

Forester 2.5i-S and 2.0XT variants add Steering Responsive Headlights.



Interior details include driver’s seat memory function in premium variants and Siri compatibility across the range.

Subaru Australia Managing Director, Nick Senior, said: “With this latest list of enhancements Forester will maintain its appeal as the flexible, fun family wagon that stands out as having genuine All-Wheel Drive credentials in a crowd of two-wheel drive triers.

“Forester’s multi award-winning status over nearly 19 years is clear proof of its ongoing appeal.

“Its track record for refined yet durable packaging, five-star safety, high grade engineering and rock-solid retained value speaks volumes.

“You only have to see the number of first generation Foresters still on road to understand why this model’s credentials are top-of-class.”



EXTERIOR
Forester’s robust on-road presence has evolved with refinements to the front and rear.

The exterior design expresses Sports Utility Vehicle power and character, combined with cutting-edge technology.

The classic Subaru hexagonal grille is revised, together with the re-profiled front bumper on Forester 2.0i-L, 2.5i-L, 2.5i-S and diesel variants, along with fog light surrounds (other than Forester 2.0i-L).

Steering Responsive LED headlights and Daytime Running Lights are new on Forester 2.5i-S and 2.0XT variants, while all MY16 Foresters feature new LED combination rear lights.

Also distinguishing the new model year are fresh design 17 and 18-inch alloy wheels, which offer aerodynamic benefits too.

A new colour in the range is Sepia Bronze Metallic.


HEADLIGHTS
The high grade headlights in Forester 2.0i-S, XT and XT Premium have compact, high-performance LED projector units, with optimum light distribution. Integrated Daytime Running Lights (DRLs), with a slitted C-shaped motif, provide hawk-eyed forward visibility along with a wide angle.

REAR COMBINATION LIGHTS
Forester’s new rear combination lights have a three-dimensional C-shaped motif, matching the headlights. The clear stop light consists of an LED that is lit in red-only while the lights are activated.

INTERIOR
The interior design features typical Forester functionality, combined with a high quality, refined feel.

The overall design of the instrument panel is clean, with a silver frame and high gloss black decorative panel in range-topping variants.

The most touched parts, such as door grips and the central pillars of the instrument panel, are wrapped in well-textured material for a high-grade design.

The driver’s instrument panel has a colour LCD multi-information display for excellent visibility.

A silver frame is incorporated into the spoke section of the steering wheel for a powerful yet functional design.

Seat fabric in entry-level variants has a stronger contrast for greater visual appeal.

In leather trim Foresters, quilting is added to the door arm rest, for added visual appeal, while the seats use thicker underside cushioning for greater comfort and support.

The hand brake lever grip button now has chrome-type finish.


INSTRUMENT PANEL
Cushioning is added to both ends of the instrument panel, together with the volume of sealer, benefitting NVH.

In Forester variants with factory-fitted satellite navigation, the reversing camera guide lines now display more quickly when “R” is selected.

A light is also added to each vanity mirror (with the exception of Forester 2.0i).

The Multi-Function Display (MFD) switch is moved from the steering wheel to the centre dashboard panel for easy operation from both driver and passenger seat, for greater convenience. Screen design is upgraded, making it easier to understand the link between switch operations and screen displays.


TECHNICAL

EFFICIENCY
Aerodynamic performance is refined via several measures, including the shape of the engine under-cover and reduced air resistance from the new pattern alloy wheels.

In Forester 2.0-litre and 2.5-litre normally aspirated variants, a cover is added to the engine oil removal hole, for improved aerodynamic performance.


STEERING RESPONSIVE HEADLIGHT (SRH)
On Forester 2.5i-S and 2.0XT variants, the optical axes of the headlamps are moved left or right according to steering operation on corners and intersections, illuminating the direction in which the vehicle is travelling, improving visibility at night. The headlights have a swivel actuator to move the optical axes.


SI-DRIVE
In Forester 2.0XT and XT Premium, control functions of each SI-Drive mode are changed for more responsive driving. Auto stepped speed control is adopted in I and S modes, for direct acceleration with a sporty feel. In S# mode, cross ratio has been used with eight-step speed control, for easier use of power bands.

The new speed control system means speed is continuously variable at low throttle angles, when driving in the D range. But it changes to step control at high throttle angles, making the most of the CVT benefits. This keeps the engine speed from peaking during strong acceleration, such as when merging on a motorway. The speed control raises the integration between increased vehicle speed and engine operating sound, for a more pleasant feel during acceleration.


NOISE, VIBRATION AND HARSHNESS (NVH)
Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI) estimates a reduction in Forester cabin noise of approximately 5.0 per cent, compared to the previous model year.

Vibration and noise are reduced through a variety of measures including thicker door window glass.

Body structure is also strategically revised, while damping and sound absorbing materials are strengthened, making Forester significantly quieter and more comfortable.

Door seal structure is changed to reduce wind noise.

Front partition glass and front door glass thickness is increased from 3.5 mm to 4.0 mm, while rear door glass is increased from 3.1 mm to 3.5 mm.


ELECTRIC POWER STEERING (EPS)
Control logic is added to the EPS for when the engine is switched off. This ensures steering control if the engine is accidentally turned off while driving. EPS continues to operate for a period of time, set according to the vehicle speed.


VEHICLE DYNAMICS CONTROL
Driving stability and ride comfort are improved in Forester 2.0XT Premium. When understeer is detected during turning, VDC applies the brake on the inner side of the vehicle (both front and rear wheels), while delivering a relative increase in driving power to the outer side, improving turn performance.

SUSPENSION
Driving stability and ride comfort is improved through suspension innovations including a new steering gear box, developed to improve feel. Steering wheel angle is also reduced, for improved handling.

Steering vibration is also reduced - and the time until it subsides is shortened.

In Forester 2.0XT Premium, Active Torque Vectoring is adopted, improving tracing of road curves.

Across the Forester range, the balance between ride comfort and driving stability is improved.

Friction of the front strut and rear shock absorbers is optimized, while operational efficiency of rear shock absorbers and stabilizers is improved.

Damping force is changed in front struts and rear shock absorbers, while the spring constant of front and rear coil springs is also changed.

Vehicle responsiveness during steering is improved, with rigidity of front suspension cross member optimized, together with the spring constant of rear suspension bushes.

Stability during straight driving is enhanced too, with rear wheel suspension alignment revised, with tread, camber angle and toe-in volume all changed.

Weld length is extended in the front cross member.

The attachment point on the rear stabilizer link is changed to improve operational efficiency.

Trailing link bush spring constant is changed too.

Also enhancing handling and steering feel, the gear ratio is now quicker at 14:1 (previously 15.5:1).


For more information on Subaru locally, visit:

Subaru Australia: http://www.subaru.com.au/

Subaru WRX Premium: http://www.subaru.com.au/wrx/premium

Subaru WRX STI Premium: http://www.subaru.com.au/wrx-sti/premium

[Jezza]

Sounds like it's heavy...

[Soksta]

Still has that damn ugly plug covering where the ignition barrel normally resides.
Can't believe that they didn't make a different lower trim piece for the models that come with start/stop.