Just over a yr after the world premiere of the sixth-generation Forester, Subaru has now pulled the covers off the Hybrid model ahead of the Chicago Auto Show this weekend. As previously reported, the automotive derives its petrol-electric powertrain from the most recent Crosstrek Hybrid, which in turn took the technology from Toyota’s highly successful hybrid models.
The Strong Hybrid system, because the Pleiades brand calls it, is a series-parallel setup that replaces the mild hybrid e-Boxer offered on the previous Forester. This consists of a bigger 2.5 litre Atkinson-cycle naturally-aspirated flat-four (the e-Boxer used a 2.0 litre mill) mated to 2 electric motors, these being a motor-generator that charges the 1.1 kWh lithium-ion battery and a traction motor that gives motive power.
No outputs for the engine and traction motor were provided, but within the Crosstrek Hybrid those power sources produced 160 PS and 209 Nm of torque and 88 PS and 270 Nm respectively. Subaru did, nevertheless, release a complete system output for the Forester Hybrid, which is 197 PS – up from 182 PS on the two.5 litre petrol model.
The motors, eCVT (still branded as Lineartronic), front differential gear and electronically-controlled coupling are integrated right into a single transaxle, routing each petrol and electric power to all 4 wheels and enabling using one or the opposite (or each) to drive the automotive, unlike the e-Boxer system. The automotive retains Subaru’s trademark symmetrical all-wheel-drive system, setting the Forester Hybrid aside from Toyota’s E-4 setup that adds a separate electric motor to show the rear wheels.
By way of fuel consumption, the Forester Hybrid is estimated to hit an EPA-rated 6.7 litres per 100 km in town, 6.9 litres per 100 km on the highway and 6.7 litres per 100 km combined, figures which might be as much as 40% lower in town and as much as 25% lower combined. Subaru claims as much as 935 km of total range.
The corporate also says the Forester Hybrid retains the usual model’s off-road prowess – besides the aforementioned AWD system, the automotive also features a formidable 220 mm in ground clearance and comes with dual-function X-Mode with hill descent control, torque vectoring by braking and Vehicle Dynamics Control.
Beyond the brand new powertrain, the Forester Hybrid retains the sixth-gen’s somewhat uninspired blocky design, albeit with a contrasting Crystal Black Silica roof on certain colors and a singular Daybreak Blue Pearl color option.
Inside, you’ll find the identical 11.6-inch portrait touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but there’s a brand new 12.3-inch digital instrument display with hybrid-specific screens. Animal-free StarTex upholstery is offered on select trim levels.
Safety-wise, the Forester Hybrid is fitted as standard within the US with the most recent EyeSight suite of driver assistance systems, now featuring reverse autonomous emergency braking, blind spot monitoring with collision prevention and rear cross traffic alert.
Emergency stop assist has also been added, detecting if a driver is unresponsive to warnings while using adaptive cruise control, stopping the vehicle and placing a call to emergency services. The Forester Hybrid will enter US dealers within the spring, priced ranging from US$34,995 (RM155,200).
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This Article First Appeared At paultan.org
