Subaru Forester test drive since 2008 SUV

Forest passive

To meet the updated Subaru Forester 2011 model year, I went to Hungary. From his forerunner (I remind you, the last generation crossover was published in 2008) the modernized model is very slightly. The forester received a new generation of opponents, a reconfigured suspension and barely perceptibly changed externally.

So, the recoil of motors is not much increased, but this is with much better efficiency and environmental friendliness. From a two-liter atmosphere, the Japanese still remove 150 hp. at 6000 rpm. The 2.5-liter motor develops 172 horsepower, and if the peak was previously available at 6000 revolutions, now the maximum power develops at 5800 rpm.

The torque of a two -liter engine from 196 Nm increased to 198, but it is now available not at 3200, but at 4200 rpm. It is impossible to catch an increase in the increase. The main thing here is an improvement in efficiency, the average fuel consumption in a new motor fell by 10%. But in a 2.5-liter traction engine on the bottoms, 235 Newtonians were significantly added at 4100 rpm, earlier the peak of torque was 229 Newton meters, and it was achieved at a mark of 4400 rpm.


Wheels with new 10-spoke 17-inch alloy disks and new mirrors with LED repeater of the rotation indicator received all the executions of the Forester, except for the simplest 2.0x. On the left below the new radiator grille.

The palette of flowers has changed. Two colors of the blue NewPort Blue Pearl and golden Sunlight Gold are replaced by new blue tint (Sky Blue Metallic) and blue (Marine Blue Pearl)

Improving motors achieved an increase in the compression degree and refinement of the mixture mix. The combustion chamber with the same working volume has become more compact, that is, the surface that forms its volume decreased. And this, in turn, leads to an increase in engine efficiency. Hence the increase in return and economy. The engines were adjusted with the gas distribution phase control system (the phaseuries are here both at the inlet and release), the intake tract (the resonance properties are revised) and the cylinder-piston group. With the same width of the cylinder block, the piston stroke is increased, but the diameter of the cylinder is reduced. The inertia of the crooked-shaped mechanism is reduced due to new lightweight pistons and connecting rods.

With connecting rods, the story is generally separate. The connecting rod and its lid are made of a single blank. All technological operations, including drilling and boring holes for the connecting rod of a crankshaft and even surfacing, they pass at the same time. The lid from the body of the connecting rod is torn off in a given place in a special breakdown. So when assembling with inserts and crankshaft crank, the lid definitely rises in its place. The assembly errors are excluded.

Thanks to this approach, the lower head of the connecting rod managed to make less and this is saving metal and, as a result, mass. The dimensions decreased due to the fact that the connecting rod cover is attached with a pair of bolts (nuts are not needed by definition), which enter directly into the body of the connecting rod from the side of the lid. The gas distribution mechanism was also subjected to alterations due to the altered combustion chamber had to reduce the collapse of the valves from 410 to 270. Instead of cylindrical pushers, rockers with rollers were used, thanks to them, they managed to reduce friction losses. The craft is replaced by chain, which made it possible to reduce the length of the engine and increase the service interval of the gas distribution mechanism.

On the course of Forester, the creators revised the elastokinematics of the suspension and the characteristics of the compression/end of the shock absorbers. Thanks to this, the forester has become more obedient on the highway. But on the potholes it shakes more strongly. But it is almost impossible to break through the suspension. It worked out to my mind once, and when I deliberately jumped from the springboxes on the roll -up tractor country. There are such roads in the suburbs of Budapest a dime a dozen. If you do not feel sorry for the suspension, you can improve comfort on off-road, a proven grandfather's way is higher than speed, less pits.


A new red-white optronic dashboard with an on-board computer display between a pair of dials is read and looks much better than the old one with awkward blue scales, but it is available only on advanced versions. Dear performance received a two -zone climate (left below). Button launch (on the top right) in the highest trim levels was earlier, the button is located unusual to the left of the steering wheel

Although it is better not to meddle with the automatic transmission on off -road with steep lifts and heavy soil and heavy soil with excessive loads and at the most inopportune moment strangles the motor, even with the anti -wings system disconnected. In addition, the drive here is the connected rear axle is automatically chopped with wet multi -disabilities of friction clutch.


The front seats are convenient, but I want more reliable side support. On the back sofa of the expanse, even high riders will not be crowded in the knees, the supply is large in width and height. In the middle of the rear seat, an interesting chip of a retractable table with cup holders

So for forcing off-rock, a modification with a manual box is better suited. The drive here is already permanent with automatic blocking (with the help of a viscous coupling) of the center differential and lowering the gear. You can turn on and off the lowering and off even at speed just squeeze the clutch.

In the mud on a mechanical forces with a fellow feller, we bought plenty, and once again a permanent all-wheel drive confirmed his renome. Being shod in slippery road tires, the forester confidently moves on a fragmented slope. And he drags, drags, drags a version with an automatic machine and a full -wheel drive is less confident. The slightest slipping of the front axle, while the connecting rear wheel wheels are triggered, provoke burrowing

The list of cosmetic changes in the updated forever is very short, it has only a new radiator grille, mirrors with LED repeaters and 17-inch wheels with new design, a couple of fresh colors ... The interior has almost not changed. On expensive versions, now a new optronic dashboard (it is much better read) and a two -zone climate. From now on, decorative plastic inserts for titanium will also become available.


The Subarovites during the presentation of the updated forever made all of us a pleasant surprise: they prematurely showed the new compactven Trezia, whose premiere will take place at the Geneva salon in early March. Trezia is the flesh from the flesh of Toyota Verso-S, which debuted in Paris last fall. Technical details will follow during the presentation in Geneva, but now it is already known that in Russia the car will not be sold

For Europe, Forester 2011 has already slowly began its offensive, we have a start of sales of an updated forester on the March April. The cost of the basic two-liter version with a mechanical box will remain the same and will amount to 1,037,700 rubles, but the modification with a 2.5-liter engine will rise a little as a crossover with the mechanics will cost at least 1,292,100 wooden, the vehicle for any engine will be 30 thousand rubles. The update also affected the Subaru Forester XT with a 230-horsepower turbo engine. The modification starts from a mark of 1,416,000 rubles (earlier the prices for XT began at 1,400,000 rubles). We will also have the most powerful version of the S-EDION with a 263-horsepower engine, it can be purchased for 1,676,500 rubles.

Vitaly Kabyshev
Photo by the author and Subaru



Competitors
In terms of dimensions, cost and availability of all-wheel drive (no matter what: constant or automatically connected) for Subaru Forester, several dozens of strong rivals will be typed: from the quite democratic Mitsubishi Outlander XL (and its Citroen C-Crosser and Peugeot 4007 clones) to the Land Rover Freoleander. What to choose?

Chevrolet Captiva from 952,000 to 1,228,500 rubles

Citroen C-Crosser from 919,000 to 1,204,000 rubles

Ford Kuga from 999,000 to 1,303,000 rubles

Honda CR-V from 1,112,000 to 1,428,000 rubles

Hyundai Santa Fe from 999 900 to 1,569,900 rubles

Hyundai IX35 from 899 900 to 1 335 900 rubles

Jeep Liberty from 1,271,000 rubles

Kia Sportage from 1 019 900 to 1 359 900 rubles

Kia Sorento from 979 900 to 1 639 900 rubles

Mazda CX-7 from 1 269,000 to 1,409,000 rubles

Land Rover Freelander from 1 174 000 to 2 001 000

Mitsubishi Outlander XL from 929,000 to 1,319,000 rubles

Nissan X-Trail from 1 049 400 to 1 362 400 rubles

Opel Antara from 920,000 to 1,133,000 rubles

Peugeot 4007 from 919,000 to 1,204,000 rubles

Renault Koleos from 999,000 to 1,214,000 rubles

Ssangyong Rexton from 1 049 000 to 1,350,000 rubles

Toyota Rav4 from 916 000 to 1,410,000 rubles

Volkswagen Tiguan from 995,000 to 1,248,000 rubles

But the main competitor of Forester is, of course, Suzuki Grand Vitara, which has a constant all -wheel drive and can show itself well on the road.
Suzuki Grand Vitara from 979,000 to 1,229,000

Competitors Alexei Kovanov
 

Source: Auto.mail.ru