By Khulekani Dumisa

Subaru Southern Africa has launched extended the Subaru Forester range with more power, new derivatives as well as more tech and practicality. The best-selling model in the company’s line-up sees the addition of two new flagship. The Subaru Forester 2.5i Sport ES CVT is an entirely new derivative. It’s aimed at those seeking a car with practicality and sporty aesthetics. The range-topping 2.5i-S ES CVT appeals to the traditions Subaru base looking for safety, practicality and adventure.

“The introduction of the 2.5-litre models and the Sport model to the line-up is so important for us as a brand, because it gives our customers more options and a more personalised experience,” says Nteo Nkoli, Marketing Lead for Subaru SA

New 2,5 engine

For the first time, the range gets a new direct injection 2.5-litre Boxer Engine. The engine paired with a CVT transmission with shift paddles behind the steering wheel for stepped / manual control. The 2.5-litre engine delivers 136kW of power, an additional 21kW over the 2.0-litre engine. Maximum torque is 239Nm, an increase of 43Nm over the 2.0-litre. In Sport mode, the 2.5 Forester will accelerate from 0 – 100km/h in 9,3-seconds.

Despite the increase in power and performance, the 2.5-litre remains as efficient as the 2.0-litre model, delivering impressive fuel consumption figures of 7.6l/100km on the combined cycle.

As standard across the entire Subaru range, the Forester offers Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. Additionally, the car comes with X-Mode and Hill Descent Control as standard across the range. X Mode is a system that uses gear ratios and torque distribution to deliver power to specific wheels where the most grip is detected.

The 2.5i-S ES comes with 18-inch alloys. The colour range for the non-Sport derivatives is as follows: Jasper Green Metallic, Horizon Blue Pearl, Crystal Black Silica, Crystal White Pearl, Ice Silver Metallic, Dark Grey Metallic, Red Pearl and Serpia Bronze Metallic.

Interior

The S and ES Forester derivatives are fitted with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system that includes AUX, Bluetooth connectivity as well as the use of Apple CarPlay / Android Auto through the USB-A ports in the front. Also included in ES and Sport models there are electrically-adjustable front seats, automatic climate control and a sunroof and rain-sensing wipers.

Safety

The Forester range features a number of passive and active safety features. These include seven airbags, cruise control, automatic pre-collision braking, lane departure, sway warning, lane keep assist, auto vehicle hold, reverse camera, blind spot detection and rear cross traffic alert and high beam assist.

Measures have also been taken to improve the structure of the car for enhanced safety in collision thanks to the new Subaru Global Platform. The design of the car also ensures that there are fewer blind spots.

Forester Sport

The Subaru Forester 2.5i-Sport is the newest model to the range that was announced in January. Featuring 5 exclusive colour combinations, the Sport contrasts the body colour with distinctive orange and black trim pieces. The grille and bumper elements are finished in black as are the side sills, wheel arch surrounds, rear bumpers and the top section of the boot lid. Part of the package includes orange accents that run along the lower half of the Forester Sport as well as on the corners of the roof rails. The 2021 Forester Sport version is also set apart from other derivatives with the use of 18-inch Dark Metallic alloy wheels. The orange accents are also adopted in the interior.  They are found on the air vents, gear shifter and X-Mode switch as well as on the stitching throughout the car.

There are 5 body colours that are available with the Sport models: Crystal White Pearl; Dark Blue Pearl; Magnetite Grey Metallic; Ice Silver Metallic and Crystal Black Silica.

Also exclusively available on the Sport model is the addition of new Water Repellent Seats.

Pricing

The Forester range is priced as follows:

• Subaru Forester 2.0i-CVT R486,000
• Subaru Forester 2.0i-S ES CVT R564,000
• Subaru Forester 2.5i Sport ES CVT R599,000
• Subaru Forester 2.5i-S ES CVT R629,000

Each Subaru Forester model is sold with a 3yr/75,000km Maintenance Plan as well as the 5yr/150,000km Warranty.