New Subaru Forester SUV makes New York debut
The new Subaru Forester has been unveiled in New York ahead of its UK arrival at the end of the year
The covers have been pulled off the all-new Subaru Forester at the 2018 New York Motor Show, with the Mazda CX-5 rival expected to go on sale in the UK before the end of the year.
The brand claims the Forester combines the toughness of an SUV with functionality, while the styling takes cues from the Impreza hatch as well as the Visiv Future concept, which was first seen at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show.
The new Forester is based on the latest Subaru Global platform (SGP), which it shares with models like the new XV and Impreza. A new 2.5-litre four-cylinder horizontally opposed direct injection engine is the standout feature, which is said to be 90 per cent new compared to the previous 2.5-litre engine.
The platform is engineered to accommodate petrol, hybrid and fully electric powertrains, so some hybridisation is also likely to appear to make up for the absence of a diesel. Subaru will not offer a diesel engine, as it plans to end oil-burner production completely in 2019.
• All the latest from the 2018 New York Motor Show
Like the XV, it'll feature Subaru's CVT transmission across the range as that's the only gearbox that can be combined with the firm's range-wide Eyesight camera-based safety system. Four-wheel drive features, too.
The Forester also debuts Subaru's new Driver Monitoring System. It's the marque's first-ever use of the technology, which can alert the driver to signs of drowsiness or distraction on the road as well as automatically adjusting settings including seat position, door mirror angles, and air-conditioning preferences. An 8-inch screen infotainment system is now an option, while Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available.
The new Forester will go on sale in the US in the autumn, with European sales likely to follow before the end of the year.
Check out our in-depth review of the Subaru Forester…
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