Goodbye turbo, hello EyeSight!

The all-new Subaru Forester carries the Eyesight technology that allows automated driving in heavy traffic.

The Forester is one of the main models of Subaru next to the WRX-STI that sells because of its power and handling. It used to be a 2.5 litre turbo AWD that has caught the fancy of many car enthusiast, especially those who love fast and stable cars.

For 2019 though, the all-new Subaru Forester will come without a turbo. The four new models come with a 2.0 liter normally aspirated boxer engine on a symmetrical all wheel drive. It is also planted on the Subaru Global Platform and includes the rave of all traffic jammed cities, the EyeSight Driver Assist Technology (EyeSight).

The Eyesight is the latest and probably the best feature of the new Subaru, especially the Forester, for its ability to control the car with minimal driver intervention.

“We believe that the EyeSight is a better selling point for the Forester, more than a turbocharger, because of its practical use against the Metro Manila traffic that I have personally experienced,” Glenn Tan, Managing Director of Tan Chong International Ltd., told the Daily Tribune.

X-Mode is the latest in transmission and suspension control that can shift from one terrain texture to another in a flick of a button. The EyeSight is an advanced driver assist technology that includes automatic pre-collision braking, pre-collision throttle management, adaptive cruise control, lead vehicle start alert, lane departure and lane sway warning.

It really is an automated feature for the Subaru using three active cameras mounted behind the windshield of the vehicle. These cameras monitor all vehicles around the car and estimates distance and speed to prevent collision with the vehicle in front. Unlike regular cruise control systems in other brands, the Eyesight will function from zero kilometers per hour, making it functional in EDSA’s stop and go traffic.

In addition, features such as auto vehicle hold and Subaru rear vehicle detection (SRVD) are also available. Auto vehicle hold works to reduce driver fatigue by keeping the vehicle still when the driver’s foot is removed from the brake pedal while the vehicle is stopped. SRVD uses radar sensors installed on the rear of the vehicle to detect objects and vehicles behind and alerts the driver with its three main functions: blind spot detection, lane change assist and rear cross-traffic alert.

“The All-New Forester is now bigger and better with an all-round enhancement to its technology, interior and exterior to create an SUV that boasts performance, comfort and maximum safety” explained Tan. “We are thrilled to launch the new fifth generation Forester and are confident that the model will excite drivers and create amazing experiences with their loved ones.”

The Forester engine is a 2.0-litre boxer engine, featuring a direct injection to improve horsepower while also boosting fuel efficiency. Tan said that with the developments on the boxer engine, their engineers believe they can produce enough power without a turbocharger. This power plant is controlled by a new seven speed manual mode of continuously variable transmission that improves acceleration and fuel efficiency.

These are mounted on the redeveloped Subaru Global Platform, a redesigned chassis that offers a safer, smoother driving experience by delivering less shake and body roll while also significantly reducing road noise to make conversations at high speeds more comfortable.

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