Subaru SA’s Forester line-up has been revitalised by a number of cosmetic tweaks and the introduction of new powerplants. The range now sports a turbodiesel variant, a new flagship and the company also reduced its pricing relative to that of outgoing models.
Petrol-engined Foresters make use of an all-new FB-series boxer engine. The FB series takes over from the proven EJ series that saw many improvements and tweaks during its twenty-year stint.
According to the Japanese company, there were three main objectives it aimed to achieve with the new FB boxer engine:
– To gain a competitive edge in fuel efficiency and emission values.
– To be able to be produced in high volumes, at a competitive price.
– To provide practical performance in the modern motoring environment, with a focus on low speed torque.
The 2,5-litre engine’s torque output has increased by five per cent to 235 N.m at 4 100 r/min, but maximum power is still 126 kW at 5 800 r/min. The 2,0-litre boxer turbodiesel unit is the same engine that does duty in the Outback diesel (110 kW at 3 600 r/min and 350 N.m at 2 400 r/min). A six-speed manual transmission is offered on the diesel unit, while the petrol models make use of either a five-speed manual ‘box, which features dual range, or a four-speed SportShift transmission.
Emissions and fuel consumption figures for the manual 2,5-litre petrol is 220 g/km and 9,3-litres/100 km respectively, while the diesel has a claimed consumption of 6,4-litres/100 km and emits 168 g/km.
The flagship Forester S-Edition Turbo makes use of the WRX-prepped engine, but is slightly tweaked so as to benefit from the Forester’s five-speed SportShift transmission, which includes Subaru’s variable torque distribution (VTD) AWD system. Maximum power is 193 kW and torque is 347 N.m. Subaru claims that the Forester S-Edition can sprint from zero to 100 km/h in 6,5 seconds before reaching a top speed of 228 km/h.
External changes aren’t radical with a new grille that has a silver metallic finish, and new alloy wheels on most models. The Forester S-Edition features a new silver finish on the roof-rails and a redesigned spoiler on its tailgate, but all models have indicator repeaters on the side mirrors.
Safety features include ABS with EBD, brake assist, a one-touch power door lock, traction control, VDC, dual front, side, and curtain airbags, as well Isofix anchorages. Subaru SA claims that the lower prices are a result of the subsidiary having more bargaining power by virtue of its ownership by Toyota Tshuso Africa and the Toyota Tshuso Corporation.
Prices:
2,5X (5-speed manual with dual range) R295 000
2,5X (4-speed SportShift) R305 000
2,5XS (5-speed manual with dual range) R318 000
2,5XS (4-speed SportShift) R328 000
2,5XS Premium (4-speed SportShift) R369 000
2,0D (6-speed manual) R349 000
2,0D Premium (6-speed manual) R399 000
2,5 S-Edition Turbo (5-speed SportShift) R439 000
All petrol derivatives are sold with a three year/75 000 km maintenance plan while boxer diesel derivatives are covered for three years or 60 000 km, whichever is reached first. The maintenance plan covers all repair and service costs with the exception of fuel, top-up fluids and tyres.
Click on the documents tab in the top right hand corner of the picture box for a full specification list.