Subaru Forester 2005 test drive - 2008 SUV
Vacation is quickly
Subaru with a turbo engine will not surprise anyone, but before the 2.5-liter 230-horsepower Forester it is impossible to resist. And recently, he also survived the modernization.In the old days, trying to gain popularity among demanding customers, Subaru tried to develop cars out of the ordinary. Here, for example, XT Turbo, he is also 1984 Alcyone. A turbocharger engine, electr -pneumatic suspension with a variable clearance, extraordinary appearance. Or, say, the famous SVX: a 6-cylinder 3.3-liter opposite with a capacity of 250 liters. p., Hillholder, holding the car on the rise, the anti -boom system - and all this in 1989 ... Times changed very quickly, and in 1997, when commercial success needed the most popular type of car, a light SUV with Simplified by the transmission, the design did not make up sly. They took the most massive model - Impreza, cut off the roof, welded a higher top and put it all on large wheels.
The latest -generation Subaru Forester Uporester underwent last year: they thoroughly shoveled the suspension, which became much more comfortable, restyling walked along the cabin and on the elements of the body decoration. But appearance is not the main thing, especially in the case of Subaru. The most delicious Forester is hidden under the hood: a quadrinary 2.5-liter opposite engine with a low-pressure turbocharger, with a gas distribution phase control system and a 4-speed sportshift gearbox with a Power mode and manual switching. If it sounds ordinary for you, then what about numbers: acceleration to 100 km/h in 6.3 seconds, maximum speed is 226 km/h ...
GO SHOPPING
Of course, I understand: the chopped Subaru is especially good at the dusty dopes of Portugal or on the Italian alp serpentine, in the end, in Firsanovka, where Pokatushki arranges the brand enthusiasts. However, after all, people go to such Forester 2.5ht to work and for purchases, for the city and on vacation. And if they drive, then we will go along a similar route, except that the vacation will have to be significantly reduced. Up to two hours, but we will spend it in the village ...
A person who is unusual, an opening door makes the door startle - there is no framework! It is nice when the company retains not only global traditions like all -wheel drive, but also trifles such as non -ramous door glass. In the cabin, we find a central console, which has become a characteristic vertical cup holder, moderately deep armchairs and frankly sports devices in slightly intended wells. Well, completely new is the armrest made in the form of a cover of the central box. It moves through the grooves and can be thrown back, turning into a tiny table. From that new one that is not visible right away, it is worth mentioning the four airbags and inflatable curtains included in the standard equipment assigned to the options.
Planting behind the wheel of any Subaru, except for Tribeca, is distinctive. It turns out not too bus and not very passenger. At the same time, visibility in all directions is very decent. In any parking lot at the supermarket, this is easy to evaluate. And in traffic jams, where the combination of a turbo engine, automatic transmission, sensitive steering and good visibility makes Forester invincible.
On vacation
Almost any trip by car on vacation from a big city runs along the highway and auto -bonds. There is already visibility and accurate steering is not so important, but the ability to keep the course and smoothness are highly valued. Well, with this, however, Subaru is in order - more or less. Only on long transverse waves, the car enters the resonance and begins to rock it unpleasantly. A similar feature of the suspension is characteristic either for very soft springs or for worn shock absorbers. I am inclined in favor of the first assumption, for which Forester's ability to lift my nose with sharp acceleration. And you can accelerate gloriously! Say, 180 km/h are perceived as an easy walk. The car is stable, the motor works with a flat hum, aerodynamic noises are not too worried, despite the doors without frames ...
On vacation, it is customary to take a lot of baggage, tools and accessories. If so, let's go to the Subaru Forester in the tail and ask for cargo capabilities. The fifth door opens up, the loading height could be lower. Under the floor of the luggage compartment, a full -size reserve has been laid - on the long run it is sometimes salvation. Around the fifth wheel in stamping the floor of the body, you can dissect a supply of keys into three subaru (or one UAZ, if you like). Enough space for a decent cable, and for a small, better folding sapper shoulder blade, and for a can of oil. The backs of the seats of the second row can be leaned forward in a ratio of 40:60. The width of the resulting platform is limited only by the protruding wells of the rear suspension shock absorbers, and two mountain bicycles with removed wheels and two bags are included in the trunk. For unprofitable baggage, there is an opportunity to take a place on the roof - in a box or a basket, for the attachment of which long -long religions are provided.
Laundry
When updating 2002, Subaru Forester added a centimeter of a road clearance for an even account - up to 20 cm, hinting, so that this model is still an SUV, albeit from a light cavalry. The presence of all -wheel drive, the anti -boom system and the machine will allow it, having fallen in the mud, successfully get out of there. However, you still need to get to the mud. And far from asphalt. And if you come across a viewed and smooth soil road with gentle roadsides and an abundance of turns, you will not regret it. From this year, Forester all -wheel drive is supplemented by the VTD (Variable Torgue Distribution) distribution system, which, during an even movement, divides the torque into the front and rear axles in a proportion of 55:45 percent, respectively. When the contact with the contact with a coating wheel is, the thrust is transferred evenly. Under even more difficult conditions, the anti -boom system is included in the operation, which is slowing a slipping wheel or wheel.
In the turn, Subaru behaves as it should be for a car with a constant all -wheel drive and locking of the center differential. When the entrance speed is erupted, it slides out of the turn, and, losing move, is screwed into an elegant skid. If the road is uneven, then it should be maneuvered with tripled vigilance, since demolition occurs almost imperceptibly. Only the steering wheel has become easier, and now the roadside in front of the nose ... However, it is not without reason that Subaru spends so much time on rejection of handling and working with active safety. The framework of the course stability will allow the wheels to slip very little, but so that you feel. And while the face of the chef, who heard that the next test car lies on the roof somewhere near Zvenigorod, will be carried before the mental gaze, the VTD will slow down the car, redistribute the moment along the axes and the brake force on the wheels. Forester, gently sliding with all the wheels, is neatly screwed into the turn.
PICNIC
Forester's turbodger is powerful - for my taste, even too much. If there was a mechanical transmission on it, then it would not be possible to drive me to the crossed area. Everything is simple with the machine, it allows you to move smoothly and carefully hold optimal speed. This is important, since long front and rear overhangs will not be allowed to take off -road. Nevertheless, within the geometric patency, Subaru feels excellent. Where other crossovers do not have enough traction due to the lack of a lowering gear, Forester is easy and at ease. This is largely facilitated by the large torque of the engine and a rather high gear ratio of the lower gear of the machine L - 1: 2.785. On off -road, it is important not to get involved in the speed, since the turbine is turned on and such a thrust is transmitted to the wheels that they can easily be torn into slipping. On weak soils, this still did not help anyone.
TO WORK
So we arrived. What pleased us in the updated Subaru Forester, and what upset? The motor is a real hurricane! The sound is fabulous, acceleration, burden - it is not without reason it is chosen by the 2005 engine. The box liked less - it is stupid when switching, which is why you lose precious moments when maneuvering in dense fast traffic. But the machine helps a lot on off -road. Surprised by the brake pedal. There are no complaints about it in the normal environment, but emergency braking causes an adrenaline emission - you crush, crush it, it’s already felt the floor of the sole, but the move has not yet been chosen ... Fortunately, the large course of the pedal does not affect the intensity of braking, and adrenaline in small doses Even useful. They did not really like the suddenly empty zero at the helm and large rolls in corners. It is clear that the suspension is comfortable, but Subaru should not be rocker, like Blazer. There would be adjustment of stiffness ...
The Subaru Forester with a 2.5 engine equipped with a turbine, and with an automatic transmission of $ 42,000. Three types of package configuration are available. The easiest includes an electric package, heating seats, 2Din audio system, climate and cruise control. The hatch and special fabric on the seats will demand to invest another thousand, and the leather interior - two. Competitors could be said if it had not been a Subaru. And so ... Well, maybe BMW X3 3.0D, although where he is with 7.7 seconds of acceleration, besides he is diesel. The only competitor with the turbine is Mitsubishi Outlander, which, like BMW, gains a hundred in 7.7 seconds, but costs less from $ 37,890, while x3 will cost the buyer, for a minute, $ 53,000. In a word, not so expensive Subaru dealers ask for this compressed turbine wind from the east.
Text: Igor Gubar
Source: Magazine 4x4 [June/2006]
