Subaru Ireland has launched the new Subaru Forester e-Boxer, priced from €44,495 for the SE model.
The Forester is Subaru’s top-selling model in Ireland, and the Japanese carmaker says it is a popular choice among drivers who trust it to be safe, capable and reliable.
The fifth-generation Forester, which Subaru says is new from the ground up, is generously equipped with LED headlights, keyless access, electrically adjustable driver seat, driver monitoring system, EyeSight, X-Mode 2, and a towing capacity of 1,870kg - all as standard.
There is also the SE Premium edition, which is priced at €48,195, and includes 18 inch alloys, sunroof, leather seats, satellite navigation, power tailgate, heated rear seats and heated steering wheel.
The new Forester features a completely new powertrain, the e-Boxer, which combines an electric motor with two of Subaru’s core technologies: the horizontally-opposed boxer petrol engine and symmetrical all-wheel drive.
Now built on the Subaru Global Platform, a cutting-edge re-design of the body and chassis, the Forester offers advanced safety performance and a dynamic driving experience. Plus, new technology ensures that the Forester e-Boxer is safer than ever as ‘EyeSight’ driver assist technology, Subaru rear vehicle detection, reverse automatic braking, and driver monitoring system are all standard across the range.
A refreshed and more substantial exterior design ensures the most spacious and capable Forester to date, featuring a high-quality interior, versatile boot space and 220mm of ground clearance. Perfectly suited to any on or off-road adventures, the upgraded X-Mode dial can now switch between two modes adapting to the most extreme weather and road conditions.
The Forester e-Boxer combines a 2.0 direct injection horizontally opposed petrol engine with an electric motor. A lithium-ion battery unit is mounted within the boot floor and allows for pure-electric driving at speeds of up to 25mph. Paired with an updated Lineartronic transmission and Subaru’s symmetrical AWD, the Forester e-Boxer achieves smooth, linear, acceleration and highly responsive torque. Power-split adjusts according to the driving condition and alternates among three driving modes: ‘EV’ driving, ‘motor assist’ driving and ‘engine’ driving.
At low speeds, Forester e-Boxer is powered by the electric motor alone for quiet, zero emission driving. It can drive in full electric mode for distances of about a mile and reach speeds of up to 25mph (40kph ). This is normally experienced in urban conditions with stop-and-go traffic where a 10 per cent improvement in fuel economy can be seen compared to the outgoing 2.0L variant.
At medium speeds, the motor and the engine work together to improve power and performance. Motor Assist driving improves off-road ability as it generates earlier torque when using X-Mode and also assists when towing.
At higher speeds Forester e-Boxer is driven solely by the petrol engine. According to speed and driving conditions, the engine will recharge the battery in preparation for the next use.
Subaru has been voted best manufacturer for safety features in the 2019 Driver Power Survey and, as mentioned, the Forester e-Boxer comes with a suite of driver-assist and safety features as standard.
A new technology for Subaru, the Forester e-Boxer is equipped with a driver monitoring system to complement its existing safety technologies and to encourage attentive driving. A camera installed on the visor of the multi-function display monitors the driver’s seat area to support safe driving. It uses facial recognition technology to detect if the driver’s gaze has wandered or if the driver is dozing off and alerts occupants if this occurs.
