EyeSight driver-assist system improve safety of the Forester and BRZ
Subaru launched two new models at the 2022 Manila International Auto Show on April 7: the new Forester SUV and all-new BRZ sports car.
Mr Glenn Tan, Deputy Chairman and Managing Director, Tan Chong International Limited was visibly excited to once again reveal models live and onsite at the auto show. “The 2022 Forester comes equipped with EyeSight 4.0, so owners of this new Forester can live larger and go on larger adventures with their families, thanks to its largest improvements to date. We are also excited to introduce the all-new BRZ which levels up the driving game with greater power and performance than its predecessor. Driving enthusiasts can experience pure driving pleasure in this second-generation Japanese sports coupe, with safety and style,” said Mr. Tan.
The Forester SUV features sportier styling, improved X-Mode off-road driver assist, and new-generation EyeSight 4.0 active safety system. The fifth-generation Forester looks quite new, thanks to redesigned lights, sportier front grille, and restyled 18-inch alloy wheels. The suspension has also been retuned for better ride and handling. New colors include Brilliant Bronze Metallic and two shades of green: Autumn Green Metallic and Cascade Green Silica, in addition to the previous black, blue, gray, silver, red, and white color options.
The Forester is now equipped with the EyeSight 4.0 driver assist technology. This uses an improved stereo camera system to monitor the car’s surroundings and help the driver react to various road conditions. The new EyeSight can now cover almost double the front lateral and vertical area. This allows EyeSight to monitor vehicles in neighboring lanes, vehicles traveling in the opposite direction, and pedestrians crossing the road when the vehicle is turning. The new Autonomous Emergency Steering can now help steer the Forester away from a vehicle or obstacle at up to 80kph. Adaptive Cruise Control now includes a Lane Centering function to help keep the Forester in the center of the lane on straight or slightly curved roads. The Lane Departure Warning nudges the steering wheel to help keep the car in the lane while traveling at 60kph or more.
Even the driver can be monitored by the system, using infrared camera and facial recognition technology. A sleepy or distracted driver will trigger an alert. A bonus is that the facial recognition can remember the settings for up to five drivers and automatically adjust their seat, door mirror, and climate control settings.
The Forester’s X-Mode works with the brand’s trademark Symmetrical All-wheel Drive system to traverse difficult terrain. Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud can help keep the Forester going offroad. The system includes auto deactivation when the car goes past 40kph and reactivates below 35kph. Hill descent control has been improved for greater responsiveness to accelerator input.
For pure driving thrills, few cars could match the BRZ in its category. Now, Subaru has revealed the second-generation BRZ with more power, sportier handling, and on-board EyeSight driver assist for the automatic variant. BRZ packs a 2.4-liter four-cylinder boxer engine with 237ps and 250Nm of torque. It pairs to a six-speed manual or automatic transmission with improved sport mode. The manual can zip to 100kph in 6.3 seconds, with the automatic capable of 6.8-second runs. Top speed is 226kph for the manual and 216kph for the automatic.
You can also expect shorter braking distances particularly from 100kph, and sharper handling with less body roll. The new BRZ is longer (25mm) and lower (-10mm), with a slightly longer wheelbase (5mm) and wider rear track (10mm). The wheels have also been increased to 18-inch units. Side sill spoilers, ducktail-shaped trunklid, twin exhaust pipes, gunmetal gray alloy wheels all exude a sporty expectation even before you get into the car.
The cabin features leather and Ultrasuede seats with red double stitching, large center tachometer. A 7-inch LCD screen shows adjustable infographics for different driving modes and can display g-force, and power and torque output. There’s an Apple CarPlay and Android Auto infotainment system. For the first time, the BRZ is now equipped with Eyesight driver assist technology, which includes collision-avoidance braking, lane departure warning, and lead vehicle start alert.
The all-new BRZ is available in two variants – the BRZ Manual and BRZ Automatic EyeSight. They will be available in seven colors: Ignition Red, Magnetite Gray Metallic, Sapphire Blue Pearl, WR Blue Pearl, Crystal Black Silica, Crystal White Pearl, and Ice Silver Metallic.
New Forester 2.0i-S EyeSight starts at P2,068,000 while the BRZ goes for P2,399,000 for the manual and P2,499,000 for the automatic.
Precision driver Russ Swift put the new Forester and all-new BRZ through their paces at his three-times daily show at MIAS. Mr. Swift thrilled the Philippine audience with his signature J-turns, donuts and dance routine. The boxer-powered Subarus all performed beatifully under his unparalleled car control.