Following its global debut earlier this year at the New York Motor Show, Motor Image, the exclusive distributor of Subaru vehicles across eight countries in Asia, has launched the new fifth generation Forester in Taiwan. Like the Impreza and the XV, the Forester is now based on the Subaru Global Platform (SGP).
The redesigned interior of the new Forester comes with impressive interior dimensions, providing the driver and all passengers with greater comfort in everyday and recreational usage, thanks to a wheelbase that has grown by 30mm to 2,670mm. Rear legroom has also grown by 33mm.
The new model also comes with more boot space. Fold the rear seats down and you will get a whopping 1,775 litres - a massive 251-litre increase with a wider 1,300mm rear gate opening over its predecessor. At the same time, the availability of an electronically-powered rear gate allows opening, closing and locking of the entire vehicle with just the touch of a button, making it more convenient than ever before.
Elsewhere, the spaciousness of the interior is enhanced by a new electronic parking brake switch that opens up more space on the centre console, alongside other redefined interior features such as divided seatback pockets and rear USB charging ports.
Elsewhere, the spaciousness of the interior is enhanced by a new electronic parking brake switch that opens up more space on the centre console, alongside other redefined interior features such as divided seatback pockets and rear USB charging ports.
But aside from the bigger and better cabin, SGP has also gifted the new Forester a safer, smoother driving experience by delivering less shake and body roll while also significantly reducing road noise to make conversations at high speeds more comfortable.
Handling, too, is improved with active torque vectoring, which enables drivers to control their vehicle exactly as intended, for enhanced cornering stability and hazard avoidance performance.
At its heart, the new Forester is powered by a 2.0-litre direct-injection boxer engine. Output is now rated at 154bhp (+6bhp) and 196Nm of torque. Driving experience has also been enhanced through a new seven-speed CVT, which Subaru promises will improve acceleration and fuel efficiency. The carmaker has, however, dropped the turbocharged XT variant from the lineup. That said, Mr. Glenn Tan, Managing Director, Tan Chong International Ltd, is hopeful Subaru will roll out hybridised powetrains for the Forester in the next 12 months.
The brand's iconic Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system comes standard across all four variants - Forester 2.0 i-S EyeSight, Forester 2.0 i-S, Forester 2.0 i-L EyeSight and Forester 2.0 i-L. According to Motor Image, the new Subaru Forester 2.0 i-S EyeSight will be available in Singapore by end of 2018.
