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2017 Subaru Forester has new face, better EyeSight, torque vectoring

The Forester was Subaru's best-selling vehicle in the US last year, and holds that title so far in 2016. With stiff competition in the crossover segment, though, Subaru isn't resting on that success. A refresh to the Forester for the 2017 model year adds more tech, and updated face, and a quieter interior. Plus you can now get torque vectoring on the 2.0-liter turbo, just like in the Impreza WRX and STI. The updated Forester arrives at dealerships in July. Most significant among the updates is a an upgrade to Subaru's Eyesight safety system. Eyesight uses two cameras in the windshield to read the road ahead and provide emergency braking and adaptive cruise control. With the new model year the system now uses color cameras with a winder and longer field of view. The tech suite includes Lane Keep Assist, and higher trims benefit from additional improvements like High Beam Assist, Steering Responsive Headlights, and Reverse Automatic Braking, which can automatically stop the CUV if it detects an obstruction behind the car. The 2017 Forester's design tweaks are minor but attractive. The new grille features horizontal bars, and the updated front fascia for naturally aspirated models has a larger body-color section around the air dam. The headlights feature C-shaped LED running lights, too. Riding in the Forester should be quieter thanks to thicker door glass, new seals, additional under-floor insulation, and an acoustic glass windshield. There's also a redesigned steering wheel, and it's even heated on the Touring trim. Customers can still choose between a 170-horsepower naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four cylinder or a 250-horsepower 2.0-liter turbo four. Subaru worked some engineering magic on the 2.5 and upped the fuel economy 26 miles per gallon city, 32 mpg highway, and 28 mpg combined – gains of 2 mpg city and 1 mpg combined. Subaru's venerable all-wheel drive layout also now includes Active Torque Vectoring on the Forester 2.0XT Touring with EyeSight for even sharper handling. Related Video: 2017 SUBARU FORESTER OFFERS ADVANCED SAFETY FEATURES AND GREATER COMFORT AND PERFORMANCE April 14, 2016 New Driver Assist Technology Improved MPG Upgraded Comfort and Style Turbo Model Now Features Torque Vectoring Cherry Hill, N.J. - Subaru of America, Inc. today announced a comprehensive update to the 2017 Forester including revised styling, new driver assist technology, more interior comfort, enhanced driving performance, and better fuel economy.

Ward's reveals annual 10 Best Engines list for 2013

Ward's Auto has released its annual 10 Best Engines award winners. The 2013 list covers the full width and breadth of the internal combustion spectrum, from a spate of efficient four-cylinders to the most powerful production V8 on the planet. As always, the entries must be available in a production vehicle in the first quarter of 2013 with an MSRP of less than $55,000. The supercharged 3.0-liter V6 from the Audi S5 held on for the fourth consecutive year, and BMW earned two spots on the list with its turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder and turbo 3.0-liter inline-six.
Ford pulled in two awards for its 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder and and the supercharged 5.8-liter V8 from the Shelby GT500. Honda matched BMW and Ford with two wins of its own. Wards awarded the 2.4-liter four-cylinder from the Honda Accord Sport as well as the 3.5-liter V6 from the Honda Accord. Chrysler, General Motors and Subaru each garnered a spot on the list as well for the 3.6-liter V6 in the Ram 1500, the turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder in the Cadillac ATS and the 2.0-liter four-cylinder the Subaru BRZ, respectively. You can read the full press release below for more information.

Toyota GT86, Scion FR-S sales disappointing worldwide?

Okay, folks - it appears we've got a problem. The Toyota GT86, Europe's counterpart to our own beloved Subaru BRZ and Scion FR-S coupes, is apparently not selling too well. This, according to Toyota's European Vice President of Research and Development, Gerald Killman, is what's limiting plans for additional variants of the rear-drive coupe.
"A faster version of that car would be at the top of most people's wish lists, but like the cabriolet, it is hard to justify a business case to push either model into production based on the current sales," Killman told AutoExpress. "Personally, I think that engine could use a little bit more," he added.
More troubling is that slow sales aren't limited to the Euro-spec car, with Killman claiming that the GT86 have been missing sales targets in major markets around the globe. It may not be that the US is one of those major markets, though. Scion's Vice President, Doug Murtha, tells Autoblog that his brand is happy with the sales of its version of the GT86, the FR-S. 18,000 units were sold last year, which Murtha says is "generally in line with original expectations for the car."