A new generation Subaru Forester has been introduced in Malaysia with a new strategy from Motor Image.
It has been some time since we last heard from Motor Image and Subaru, in fact things have been quiet since the change in leadership last year. Now they’re back with the all-new Subaru Forester 2.5i-S Eyesight – a new generation product with a new strategy to go along with it.
What is this new strategy? Well to rebuild the brand’s foundation for long-term reliability, and unmatched levels of fit and finish with fully-imported ‘Made In Japan’ build. This new strategy also means abandoning regional CKD operations and increasing product pricing. This one variant of the Subaru Forester is priced at RM221,500.
The new Forester is powered by a 2.5L FB25 boxer 4-cylinder and paired to a new TR58 Lineartronic CVT that sends power to all wheels via their symmetrical all-wheel drive system.
It is built on an evolved version of the Subaru Global Platform with improved body rigidity and a ground clearance of 220mm. It has a new dual-pinion electric power steering unit and it also features the familiar Subaru Intelligent Drive and dual-function X-MODE and Hill Descent Control. The new engine is good for 185PS and 247Nm of torque.
The interior features seats co-developed by Subaru and a Japanese medical centre for ergonomics and comfort.
The driver’s seat has 10-way power adjustments with lumbar support.
There’s an 11.6″ portrait-oriented infotainment unit with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with a mix of USB-C and USB-A ports plus a Qi wireless charging pad. It’s also worth noting that the cabin now looks and feels a lot better than before.
Other equipment to note of includes the kick-activated hands-free powered tailgate, 60:40 split rear seats and a new EyeSight camera and software system now with an additional wide-angle monocular camera to expand detection of pedestrians and bicycles.
Active safety is pretty interesting as well on the Subaru Forester. There’s a new Emergency Driving Stop System that detects when the driver stops responding during Active Cruise Control. It then attempts to wake the driver up by ‘jerking’ the car with the brakes and blaring some audio warnings. If the driver continues to be unresponsive, the hazard lights turn on and the car slowly comes to a stop, engages the parking brake and unlocks the doors.
We also got to try the Forester out back to back on Sepang’s Driving Experience Centre’s kick plate with the previous Forester and the more expensive Toyota Harrier. The test was simple, accelerate towards a wet road where a kick plate would pull the rear wheels hard to one direction.
The cars were all operated without hands on the wheel and they hit the kick plate at just under 60km/h. The new Forester exhibited ESC intervention that was less harsh and more natural, pulling the vehicle back to a straight line without throwing the passengers across the car or over-reacting to the external stimulus.
The new Forester also looks pretty unique with a dynamic front fascia, redesigned grille, C-shaped LED headlights, muscular wheel arches, and 18″ alloy wheels. There are plenty of colour options available – possibly up to 11 including River Rock Pearl, Cashmere Gold Opal and Daybreak Blue Pearl.
