Subaru Forester gets facelift for Japan
Thu, Oct 8 2015
Most noticeable is the revised front fascia, which has been restyled to give it a "sturdier, more SUV-like appearance" thanks to a new grille, bumper, and headlights. Those lamps incorporate the company's latest EyeSight system with LED high- and low-beams that adapt to provide the optimal level of illumination according to traffic conditions. The suite of safety systems also includes lane-assist, pre-collision brake assist, blind-spot monitor, adaptive cruise control, and more. Around back the taillights have been redone as well, along with new 17- and 18-inch wheels and new body color options.
Other features of the revised Forester include a new instrument panel with silver and piano-black accents, a color LCD display, and more. While mechanical changes remain limited, Subaru says it has optimized the suspension, steering, and transmission for better response. Turbocharged models also get active torque vectoring, and improved insulation promises lower NVH levels across the board.
Subaru Upgrades Forester in Japan — New Safety Features include EyeSight (Ver. 3) and New Headlight Advancements —
Tokyo, October 6, 2015 – Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (FHI), the manufacturer of Subaru automobiles, today announced an upgraded edition of the Subaru Forester in Japan. The model will be exhibited on October 28 at the Tokyo Motor Show 2015 Press Day.
The Forester has always been noted for the high degree of performance balance as an SUV. The latest upgrade advances this performance especially in the areas of design, driving enjoyment, and the utility and comfort expected of an SUV. Furthermore, the Forester's safety performance, already among the world's highest, has been bolstered by adopting the new EyeSight*1, an Advanced Safety Package*2 incorporating newly developed Adaptive Driving Beam headlights, and Subaru's first LED high & low beam lights and Steering Responsive Headlights. This comprehensive upgrade in vehicle performance has raised the Forester to a new level, as a product that will brighten the lives of more customers than ever.
The exterior features a redesigned front face, for a sturdier, more SUV-like appearance that also hints at the advancements inside. The interior design befits the superior functionality of a true SUV and enhances the feeling of quality. For improved driving stability, the steering response has been made more linear by modifying the steering-gear ratio, giving the driver a greater feeling of direct control over vehicle movement. Suspension settings were optimized to offer a smooth and solid ride with quality feel.
Additionally, a more comfortable interior space was achieved by increasing door glass thickness, strengthening the sealing, and improving Lineartronic transmission. These and other measures result in less unwanted sounds.
Key Forester Upgrades
1.Design
(1) Exterior
(a) Redesigned front face
The headlights, front grill, and front bumper*3 have a wider appearance highlighting the Subaru identity, and presenting a new front face with an advanced design that imparts a feeling of dependability.
(b) Newly designed rear combination lights
The rear combination lights adopt a sideways U-shaped motif similar to the headlights, for a sense of wideness. A lifting impression is created by concentrating the red lenses at the top, with an overall rear style befitting an SUV.
(c) Newly designed aluminum wheels
The 17-inch aluminum wheels employ a sleeker pattern to reduce drag and improve fuel efficiency. The 18-inch aluminum wheels adopted for the turbocharged model, have been given a new design characterized by muscular and dynamic form.
(d) New body color options
The new Forester is now available also in Dark Blue Pearl and Sepia Bronze Metallic color variations.
(2) Interior
(a) Higher-quality appearance of interior finish
The look and feel of the instrument panel have been upgraded, adopting a combination decorative panel with silver frame and piano-black hues and adding metallic accents. The leather covering used for the instrument panel center tray and door grips, along with the toughness and excellent tactile sense, combine to create a high-quality, sporty look complementing the powerful feeling. (Excl. 2.0i)
(b) Color LCD multi-information display
The meter panel has a color LCD multi-information display in the center, clearly showing the status of EyeSight and Subaru Intelligent Drive (SI-DRIVE) along with other information necessary for driving. (Excl. 2.0i)
(c) SD navigation system supporting "Siri Eyes Free"
The Harman Kardon sound system and SD navigation system (manufacturer-installed options) support the "Siri Eyes Free" voice recognition function. Operations can be performed by pressing the Talk button on the steering wheel and issuing verbal instructions, enabling Siri services to be used more safely while driving, without taking the eyes off the road.*4 *5
(d) Rear seat heaters
Heaters with high/low settings are located on both sides of the rear seat. (Excl. 2.0i)
(e) Driver-side power seat memory function
The power seat on the driver's side has a memory function that restores the optimal position at the touch of a switch.*6
2.Safety
(1) EyeSight (ver. 3)
The latest EyeSight (ver. 3) represents a major evolution in advanced safety functions. The Active Lane Keep steering assistance system, as well as Pre-Collision Braking Control and Adaptive Cruise Control, have been given performance upgrades, to provide leading-edge preventive safety technology.
(2) Advanced Safety Package
A package of advanced functions further enhancing safety is offered as a manufacturer-installed option. Supplementing the EyeSight front detection function is a radar system for detecting vehicles in rear blind spots, supporting safer and more comfortable driving.
(a) Subaru Rear Vehicle Detection
?Blind Spot Detection (BSD)
Radar sensors detect vehicles in rear blind spots, and LED lights in the door mirror light up or flash* to urge driver caution.
?Lane Change Assist (LCA)
Radar sensors detect the rapid approach of vehicles from the rear in the next lane, and LED lights in the door mirror light up or flash* to urge driver caution.
*Both with BSD and LCA, when radar has detected a vehicle and the driver tries to change lane after using the indicator, LED lights in the door mirror flash to alert the driver of collision danger.
?Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Radar sensors detect vehicles approaching from the right or left when backing up and, if there is deemed to be a risk of collision, alert the driver by flashing LED lights in the door mirror and by an audible warning.
(b) Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB)
EyeSight high-performance stereo cameras accurately detect the presence of vehicles ahead and in oncoming lanes, smoothly adjusting the range of the high beams in a continuous range by means of shields inside the headlights. ADB makes it possible to obtain plenty of visibility for safe, comfortable nighttime driving, without the need to worry about disturbing other drivers with high beams.
(3) LED high & low beam lights and Steering Responsive Headlights
?Each headlight is equipped with a bifunctional projector mechanism that enables a single light to provide both high and low beams. Since LED projection is used also for high beams, night visibility is raised to a new level.
?Steering Responsive Headlights are adopted, which move the headlight beam axis right or left in response to steering wheel operations at corners and intersections. The direction in which the vehicle is moving is brightly illuminated, for improved night visibility.
(4) Supplemental restraint system (SRS) side and curtain airbags standard on all grades
All grades are equipped with SRS side airbags and SRS curtain airbags, for greater passenger protection in case of an accident. (Excl. 2.0i)
3. Advances in Driving Enjoyment
(1) Chassis
(a) Enhanced chassis performance
Greater front cross member rigidity and optimization of the rear trailing link bushings result in better steering responsiveness and straight-line stability, for more assured handling performance.
(b) Optimized suspension settings
By optimizing the shock absorber damping and the spring constant of coil springs, both the supple ride comfort and handling agility have been improved. Changes to the rod guide bushings and to the oil used to operate the front and rear shock absorbers result in more stable friction of moving parts while suppressing vibration. Initial roll performance has also been optimized. A comfortable ride with minimal vibration as well as outstanding handling stability have been achieved.
(c) Optimized steering-gear ratio
The steering-gear ratio has been changed from the earlier 15.5:1 to 14.0:1. The quicker ratio improves maneuverability and enhances the satisfaction of agile handling.
(d) Active Torque Vectoring
The turbocharged model adopts Active Torque Vectoring for improved cornering lines.
(2) Engine and transmission
(a) Improved fuel efficiency of naturally aspirated (NA) models
More efficient combustion and reduced friction in the NA engine improve fuel efficiency with no loss of snappy performance. In JC08 mode tests, fuel economy of 16.0 km/liter was achieved, making the new Forester eligible for the next higher level of Japan's eco-car tax incentives (40% reduction in acquisition tax, 25% cut in tonnage tax, and 50% off the following year's automobile tax).
(b) Auto-step shift control and close-ratio eight-speed shifting
The turbocharged model adopts auto-step shift control for direct and sporty acceleration. Moreover, in SI-DRIVE S# (Sport Sharp) mode, close-ratio eight-speed shifting makes for easier use of the power band in a sportier setting.
(3) Improved quietness
Thicker door glass, stronger sealing, and improvements to Lineartronic transmission result in less unwanted sounds.
*1. "EyeSight (ver.3)" as it is known on the Japanese market.
*2. Manufacturer-installed option for EyeSight models.
*3. The newly designed front bumper is adopted in all NA models except the S-Limited.
*4. Siri is a registered trademark of Apple Inc.
*5. A Siri-enabled Apple device needs to be connected via Bluetooth.
*6. Manufacturer-installed option, provided as a set with genuine leather seats.
Tokyo, October 6, 2015 – Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (FHI), the manufacturer of Subaru automobiles, today announced an upgraded edition of the Subaru Forester in Japan. The model will be exhibited on October 28 at the Tokyo Motor Show 2015 Press Day.
The Forester has always been noted for the high degree of performance balance as an SUV. The latest upgrade advances this performance especially in the areas of design, driving enjoyment, and the utility and comfort expected of an SUV. Furthermore, the Forester's safety performance, already among the world's highest, has been bolstered by adopting the new EyeSight*1, an Advanced Safety Package*2 incorporating newly developed Adaptive Driving Beam headlights, and Subaru's first LED high & low beam lights and Steering Responsive Headlights. This comprehensive upgrade in vehicle performance has raised the Forester to a new level, as a product that will brighten the lives of more customers than ever.
The exterior features a redesigned front face, for a sturdier, more SUV-like appearance that also hints at the advancements inside. The interior design befits the superior functionality of a true SUV and enhances the feeling of quality. For improved driving stability, the steering response has been made more linear by modifying the steering-gear ratio, giving the driver a greater feeling of direct control over vehicle movement. Suspension settings were optimized to offer a smooth and solid ride with quality feel.
Additionally, a more comfortable interior space was achieved by increasing door glass thickness, strengthening the sealing, and improving Lineartronic transmission. These and other measures result in less unwanted sounds.
Key Forester Upgrades
1.Design
(1) Exterior
(a) Redesigned front face
The headlights, front grill, and front bumper*3 have a wider appearance highlighting the Subaru identity, and presenting a new front face with an advanced design that imparts a feeling of dependability.
(b) Newly designed rear combination lights
The rear combination lights adopt a sideways U-shaped motif similar to the headlights, for a sense of wideness. A lifting impression is created by concentrating the red lenses at the top, with an overall rear style befitting an SUV.
(c) Newly designed aluminum wheels
The 17-inch aluminum wheels employ a sleeker pattern to reduce drag and improve fuel efficiency. The 18-inch aluminum wheels adopted for the turbocharged model, have been given a new design characterized by muscular and dynamic form.
(d) New body color options
The new Forester is now available also in Dark Blue Pearl and Sepia Bronze Metallic color variations.
(2) Interior
(a) Higher-quality appearance of interior finish
The look and feel of the instrument panel have been upgraded, adopting a combination decorative panel with silver frame and piano-black hues and adding metallic accents. The leather covering used for the instrument panel center tray and door grips, along with the toughness and excellent tactile sense, combine to create a high-quality, sporty look complementing the powerful feeling. (Excl. 2.0i)
(b) Color LCD multi-information display
The meter panel has a color LCD multi-information display in the center, clearly showing the status of EyeSight and Subaru Intelligent Drive (SI-DRIVE) along with other information necessary for driving. (Excl. 2.0i)
(c) SD navigation system supporting "Siri Eyes Free"
The Harman Kardon sound system and SD navigation system (manufacturer-installed options) support the "Siri Eyes Free" voice recognition function. Operations can be performed by pressing the Talk button on the steering wheel and issuing verbal instructions, enabling Siri services to be used more safely while driving, without taking the eyes off the road.*4 *5
(d) Rear seat heaters
Heaters with high/low settings are located on both sides of the rear seat. (Excl. 2.0i)
(e) Driver-side power seat memory function
The power seat on the driver's side has a memory function that restores the optimal position at the touch of a switch.*6
2.Safety
(1) EyeSight (ver. 3)
The latest EyeSight (ver. 3) represents a major evolution in advanced safety functions. The Active Lane Keep steering assistance system, as well as Pre-Collision Braking Control and Adaptive Cruise Control, have been given performance upgrades, to provide leading-edge preventive safety technology.
(2) Advanced Safety Package
A package of advanced functions further enhancing safety is offered as a manufacturer-installed option. Supplementing the EyeSight front detection function is a radar system for detecting vehicles in rear blind spots, supporting safer and more comfortable driving.
(a) Subaru Rear Vehicle Detection
?Blind Spot Detection (BSD)
Radar sensors detect vehicles in rear blind spots, and LED lights in the door mirror light up or flash* to urge driver caution.
?Lane Change Assist (LCA)
Radar sensors detect the rapid approach of vehicles from the rear in the next lane, and LED lights in the door mirror light up or flash* to urge driver caution.
*Both with BSD and LCA, when radar has detected a vehicle and the driver tries to change lane after using the indicator, LED lights in the door mirror flash to alert the driver of collision danger.
?Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Radar sensors detect vehicles approaching from the right or left when backing up and, if there is deemed to be a risk of collision, alert the driver by flashing LED lights in the door mirror and by an audible warning.
(b) Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB)
EyeSight high-performance stereo cameras accurately detect the presence of vehicles ahead and in oncoming lanes, smoothly adjusting the range of the high beams in a continuous range by means of shields inside the headlights. ADB makes it possible to obtain plenty of visibility for safe, comfortable nighttime driving, without the need to worry about disturbing other drivers with high beams.
(3) LED high & low beam lights and Steering Responsive Headlights
?Each headlight is equipped with a bifunctional projector mechanism that enables a single light to provide both high and low beams. Since LED projection is used also for high beams, night visibility is raised to a new level.
?Steering Responsive Headlights are adopted, which move the headlight beam axis right or left in response to steering wheel operations at corners and intersections. The direction in which the vehicle is moving is brightly illuminated, for improved night visibility.
(4) Supplemental restraint system (SRS) side and curtain airbags standard on all grades
All grades are equipped with SRS side airbags and SRS curtain airbags, for greater passenger protection in case of an accident. (Excl. 2.0i)
3. Advances in Driving Enjoyment
(1) Chassis
(a) Enhanced chassis performance
Greater front cross member rigidity and optimization of the rear trailing link bushings result in better steering responsiveness and straight-line stability, for more assured handling performance.
(b) Optimized suspension settings
By optimizing the shock absorber damping and the spring constant of coil springs, both the supple ride comfort and handling agility have been improved. Changes to the rod guide bushings and to the oil used to operate the front and rear shock absorbers result in more stable friction of moving parts while suppressing vibration. Initial roll performance has also been optimized. A comfortable ride with minimal vibration as well as outstanding handling stability have been achieved.
(c) Optimized steering-gear ratio
The steering-gear ratio has been changed from the earlier 15.5:1 to 14.0:1. The quicker ratio improves maneuverability and enhances the satisfaction of agile handling.
(d) Active Torque Vectoring
The turbocharged model adopts Active Torque Vectoring for improved cornering lines.
(2) Engine and transmission
(a) Improved fuel efficiency of naturally aspirated (NA) models
More efficient combustion and reduced friction in the NA engine improve fuel efficiency with no loss of snappy performance. In JC08 mode tests, fuel economy of 16.0 km/liter was achieved, making the new Forester eligible for the next higher level of Japan's eco-car tax incentives (40% reduction in acquisition tax, 25% cut in tonnage tax, and 50% off the following year's automobile tax).
(b) Auto-step shift control and close-ratio eight-speed shifting
The turbocharged model adopts auto-step shift control for direct and sporty acceleration. Moreover, in SI-DRIVE S# (Sport Sharp) mode, close-ratio eight-speed shifting makes for easier use of the power band in a sportier setting.
(3) Improved quietness
Thicker door glass, stronger sealing, and improvements to Lineartronic transmission result in less unwanted sounds.
*1. "EyeSight (ver.3)" as it is known on the Japanese market.
*2. Manufacturer-installed option for EyeSight models.
*3. The newly designed front bumper is adopted in all NA models except the S-Limited.
*4. Siri is a registered trademark of Apple Inc.
*5. A Siri-enabled Apple device needs to be connected via Bluetooth.
*6. Manufacturer-installed option, provided as a set with genuine leather seats.
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