Subaru Forester test drive since 2008 SUV

Working fuel

Subaru Forester Diesel. Price: N.D. On sale: since autumn 2009
The Japanese forester Subaru Forester switched to diesel. Given the desire to enter the mass market and the fact that all of Europe drives diesel machines, the introduction of this modification is true. The peculiarity of the motor is that it, like gasoline, has an opposite structure
Test pilot
Maxim Egorov, 23 years old, automobile journalist, driving experience of 5 years, personal car Mitsubishi Lancer
Everything for sports, everything for victory! Under such a motto, Subaru engineers worked for a long time. But times are changing. Now at the forefront of merciless marketing, which forces to sacrifice sports technologies for the sake of consumer demand. And the consumer today requires comfort, quality and attractive appearance. Each of these aspects meticulously was worked out by Subaru during the creation of the new Forester.
Visual examination showed that Forester has become larger than the previous generation. He added in height, and in width, and in length. The cabin is spacious, there are enough space for all passengers. A solid volume is preserved for the luggage compartment. The mass of the forester is 1540 kg. The machine is equipped with a symmetrical output classic for Subaru.
A two-liter 4-cylinder 16-valve turbocharged diesel diesel with a capacity of 147 hp is installed under the hood, which are reached at 3600 min-1. A rather large moment of 350 nm is available at 1800 min-1, but begins to decline already at 2400 rpm.
The first car on which Subaru installed a new diesel engine was Legacy. Now the time has come for Forester, on which they also put a motor called Boxer Diesel. Designers did not move away from the previous horizontal-opposition structure, which is used on gasoline engines.
According to passport data, the maximum speed of Forester is 186 km/h. Acceleration to 100 km/h takes 10.4 s. At the same time, fuel consumption in the city cycle does not exceed 7.2 liters. But these are all numbers and statistics, great interest is, how Forester goes with such a motor. Let's check this in the case.
We make any characteristic tractor cod. The car works quietly, the sound from the motor penetrates inside when the tachometer arrow exceeds 30003500 min-1. But in order to go in traction, these turns have to be kept almost constantly. The engine differs in good thrust, but only when 2000 revolutions are reached. At this moment, the turbine is fully turned on, and the car begins to gain move very intensively. But while the cherished figure has not been overcome, Forester is reluctant to accelerate. Therefore, it will not work to move on reduced gear in this case.
So far, only a 6 -speed mechanical transmission is equipped with a diesel Forester. The transfer numbers are selected so that if you turn the engine, the acceleration will be very decent. The work of the gearbox itself is distinguished by clear inclusions, but the moves of the lever could be less. Of course, this is a drawback for a rally car, but in urban conditions it is more than acceptable.
Another distinguishing feature of the diesel Subaru Forester is a different suspension setting. There are no cardinal changes in it, all the same as in the gasoline version. But at a technical presentation, Japanese engineers said that some other components were used in the diesel version. As a result, the management system has become more informative. At the same time, the car did not lose in comfort, but now it more willingly enters the bends, less roll and swing.
No matter how good the new diesel is, but cars with such a motor will not be supplied to the Russian market. The catch, as always, as our fuel. Nevertheless, the experience of very solid companies proves that we can and should operate diesel equipment. So the hope for the emergence of an economical Subaru Forester has not died.
Unlike gasoline engines, diesel has one most important advantage is a low fuel consumption. Subaru diesel engine has several more advantages due to its design. The horizontal and opposition arrangement of the pistons effectively reduces secondary harmonic vibrations. In simple language, the level of vibrations and noise is reduced. Also, this engine design has a positive effect on the controllability of the car due to the low center of gravity. So modern diesel engines are a cut above some gasoline engines, but their fate is not always so rosy.
Transfiguration
The diesel engine is based on the structure similar to the horizontal-opposition with gasoline motors. But the features of the work and operation of the diesel force forced engineers to make some changes. So, the piston stroke was increased by 11 mm, and the diameter of the cylinder by 6 mm, which provided the best conditions for the combustion of diesel fuel. The distance between the cylinders decreased to 98.4 mm due to the smaller cylinder size. As a result, the length of the cylinder block decreased by 61.3 mm, which made the structure even more compact. All materials are applied taking into account operational loads. The cylinder block is made of aluminum alloy. Pistons, connecting rods and valves are made of high -strength steel to withstand high pressure. Instead of all the usual timing belt, a high -strength chain is installed.
Driving
The suspension is comfortable, it works out irregularities well. The rolls are present, but insignificant. Diesel engine
not bad, but does not pull on the bottom.
   
Salon
The salon is spacious. The materials used in the decoration are more aimed at practicality.
   
Comfort
There are enough places in the cabin. It is convenient to get a job, but you will have to spend some time on this.
   
Safety
The presence of active and passive security systems. Five stars in Crash tests.
   
Price
Not determined.
  
Advantages and disadvantages
+ A clear gearbox, comfortable suspension, spacious interior, high level of active and passive safety.
- Failure in traction at low speeds.
Technical Harcatericism
Mark and model - Subaru Forester 2.0d
Dimensions - 4560x1780x1675 mm
Engine - turbodiesel, 1998 cm3, 147 hp/3600 min -1
Transmission - mechanical, 6 -speed
Dynamics - Max 186 km/h; 10.4 s to 100 km/h
Competitors - Nissan X -Trail, Land Rover Freelander

Our opinion
The diesel Subaru Forester meets the main requirement for him, efficiency. By changing the image of a rural hard worker to the image of an urban car of increased cross -country ability, he will be in demand in Europe. Yes, and we will undoubtedly have interest in him, only when he appears?

Author: Maxim Egorov
 
 
 

Source: Magazine 5 wheel [November 2008]