The Subaru Forester, sold in the USA, has won the Insurance Institute
for Highway Safety’s 2008 Top Safety Pick award.
The Forester, an SUV based upon the Impreza, scored the highest marks
for side, rear and offset frontal impact-protection.
Institute president Adrian Lund said: "The performance of the Forester underscores Subaru’s commitment to delivering state-of-the-art safety to its customers.
"You don’t know what kind of crash you are going to be in. That’s why
it’s important to choose a vehicle that will protect you in all kinds of crashes."
Lawrence Good, managing director of Subaru (UK) Limited, said: "This is
excellent news and perfectly timed just as the UK version of the new
Forester is about to go on sale.
"The tests by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety are respected
worldwide and it is also worth noting that both the US and UK Foresters
are Japanese-built and therefore share the same basic potential
life-saving features."
The Forester made its European debut at the 78th Geneva Motor Show
earlier this year and launches with a 2.0 litre petrol engine with the
option of both manual and automatic transmission.
Subaru has now developed its new boxer diesel engine, and is hoping to introduce its use across all models in the Subaru range by 2010.
The company predicts that the new diesel options will double sales from 7,000 in the UK in 2007 to an impressive 15,000 by the end of the decade.
Subaru’s UK sales target for 2008 is 8,500 cars, based upon the all-new Impreza, launched at the end of 2007 and the first boxer diesel-equipped Legacy and Outback models.
Subaru hope to have a diesel Forester crossover and Impreza by the end of 2008 and then also sell the Justy, based upon the Daihatsu Sirion, which marks a major collaboration with the Toyota motor company.
Subaru’s European and Scandinavian distributors, the IM group, are also in talks with other Malaysian, Chinese and Indian firms to repeat the possibility of working with new manufacturers.
The new third-generation 2009 Forester, which is set to arrive in Subaru dealerships in the spring, represents a "major leap" for the manufacturer, the automaker claims.
This updated model shows off a design that more closely resembles an SUV and also contains advancements in safety, comfort and driving dynamics, according to Subaru.
Fully equipped with symmetrical all-wheel drive, the 2009 Forester also has a 3.6-inch longer wheelbase and double-wishbone rear suspension.
"The 2009 Forester once again blends positive SUV attributes including a high seating point and interior versatility with passenger car comfort, handling and fuel efficiency," the manufacturer stated.
Subaru said that the 2009 Forester 2.5 X in particular offered "one of the best values" among crossover SUVs.
In addition, for the first time, the updated model features a navigation system – and it also has advanced upgrades for its audio system.
The original Forester was introduced in Japan in 1997.
A father has extolled the virtues of the Subaru Forester SUV after the vehicle helped him through terrible conditions to take his injured son to hospital.
Geoff Cox had to drive through a blizzard to take his son, Adam Alder-Cox, to hospital after the 14-year-old suffered severe facial injuries in a skiing accident in the French-Italian Alps.
The snowstorm had grounded all helicopters and was so severe that even ambulance drivers refused to go out in the conditions.
Mr Cox had to resort to tackling the blizzard himself in order to get his son to the nearest hospital in Briancon, ten miles down a mountain road.
"I decided that, given the circumstances, I would attempt the drive myself in order to get the treatment my son needed," Mr Cox explained.
"The ten miles were not easy. Nine inches of new snow on already icy roads meant that we had to take it slowly but the Forester never gave me any cause for alarm or even concern. I was amazed at the combination of positive feedback from the road and the traction that I got, even in the most atrocious road conditions."
It turned out to be fortunate that Mr Cox did brave the storm, as his son was treated for severe blood loss and a triple fracture of the cheekbones when he arrived at the hospital.
Andrew Edminston, managing director of Subaru UK, said he was "delighted" that the Forester proved to be so trustworthy and said the automaker was "determined to offer our customers a range of practical cars for all road conditions that are also enjoyable to own and drive".
Read more
No Comments