Subaru Archives - Heels & Horsepower Magazine

Subaru’s Fresh-Faced Forester Now Available In South Africa

vuyi on January 10, 2022

Press Release: Subaru Southern Africa

Subaru Southern Africa’s most popular SUV, the Subaru Forester is now available in dealerships across the country.

Subaru Southern Africa’s most popular SUV, the Subaru Forester has received a mid-life update and is further heightening its appeal.

The MY2022 Forester marks Subaru Southern Africa’s 30th year in South Africa, and is available in four derivatives including the 2.0-litre and 2.5-litre variants in their respective Sport and Premium trims and specifications.

Design Changes

The biggest exterior design changes have taken place at the front of the vehicle. A larger, hexagonal grille takes centre stage with a reduced headlight design, resulting in a more dynamic and sturdier stance.

The grille and front bumper now incorporate more use of black elements around the redesigned headlight and foglamp clusters. Reworked headlights now include an array of LED bulbs for improved driver vision as part of the Forester Adaptive Headlamps and High Beam Assist features.

On the Forester Sport, the fog lamps are six-bulb LED units within a black housing where the Premium Forester’s fog lamp housing includes three chromed horizontal pieces for a more urban finish. Further along the flanks of the Forester, the mirror caps, A and B-pillar covers as well as the rear spoiler and tailgate finishes have all been enhanced.

On the Forester Sport, the mirror caps and rear are finished in a geometric textured material, where the Premium Forester is finished in chromed mirror covers and a high gloss black cover.

The new Forester sits on redesigned 17-inch alloy wheels on the base model or 18-inch alloy wheels on the high spec models. The new 18-inch wheel design on the Premium Forester is a new five-spoke, dual-tone design for a purposeful and yet elegant stance. This is in contrast to the all-black multi-spoke wheels on the more adventurous Forester Sport.

For the MY2022 Forester, a new Cascade Green Silica colour has been added in place of the Jasper Green Metallic. This new colour joins the rest of the colour palette of: Crimson Red Pearl; Crystal Black Silica; Crystal White Pearl; Horizon Blue Pearl; Ice Silver Metallic; Magnetite Grey Metallic; Sepia Bronze Metallic for the Premium derivatives.

For the Forester Sport, the colours remain unchanged as: Magnetite Grey Metallic; Ice Silver Metallic; Dark Blue Pearl; Crystal Black Silica and Crystal White Pearl.

Better Ride. Better Dynamics.

The powertrains remain unchanged on all derivatives of the new Forester, but the front suspension has been tweaked to improve steering responsiveness, ride quality and handling by reworking the coil springs and dampers.

X-Mode, Subaru’s smart all-terrain programme has also been updated with improved Hill Descent Control speed management. To enhance driver control, the revised system allows for manual acceleration on descent, with the system re-engaging Hill descent Control when the driver stops accelerating. X-Mode is available on all Subaru Forester models.

EyeSight Version 4.0

A more advanced version of EyeSight Driver Assist Technology is introduced to the MY2022 Subaru Forester. The new system delivers all-round improvement for use under a wider array of conditions and environments.

There is a new dual camera system with a much wider field of view, almost double what it was. Together with improved software, the system is faster and more intuitive, working to deploy the myriad EyeSight safety functions such as Adaptive Cruise Control, Automatic Pre-Collision Braking, Lane Departure and Sway Warning with even better precision. The system now works with better efficiency at intersections, where accidents frequently occur.

Also offered with EyeSight 4.0 are three new technologies that employ active steering inputs:

Active Lane Centering works within the Adaptive Cruise Control function to ensures the vehicle remains in the centre of the lane. This reduces driver fatigue. When the system is active, the driver’s Multi-Function Display as well as the Information Display screen show the Active Tracking graphics, depicting the system at work.
Lane Departure Prevention assists in keeping the vehicle within the correct lane by actively steering back into the correct lane.
Autonomous Emergency Steering works as an accident prevention function and can steer the vehicle to avoid an accident, be it a pedestrian, another vehicle or a cyclist. Autonomous Emergency Steering sometimes works in conjunction with the Emergency braking function but can also work when the system deems emergency braking is not adequate to reduce the severity of a collision.

ES or EyeSight-equipped Forester’s also include Blind Spot Detection technology with Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross Traffic Alert as standard features. Reverse Automatic Braking is also included on EyeSight-equipped models, a system which uses sensors to detect objects and can automatically stop the vehicle if the driver does not take evasive action in time while reversing.

ES-spec Foresters remain the safest vehicles in their class with the highest 5-star safety ratings across all global safety ratings agencies. EyeSight contributes significantly to Forester safety, but even base-spec Subaru Foresters are loaded with ground-up safety technology and engineering that still keeps them in the 5-star safety rating standard.

2022 Model Line-Up and Pricing

	Subaru Forester 2.0i CVT	Subaru Forester 2.0i-S ES CVT	Subaru Forester 2.5i-Sport ES CVT	Subaru Forester 2.5i-S ES CVT
Engine Capacity	2.0-l Horizontally opposed, 4-cylinder	2.0-l Horizontally opposed, 4-cylinder	2.5-l Horizontally opposed, 4-cylinder	2.5-l Horizontally opposed, 4-cylinder
Power	115 kW	115 kW	136 kW	136 kW
Torque	196 Nm	196 Nm	239 Nm	239 Nm
Fuel Consumption	7.6l/100km	7.6l/100km	8.3l/100km	8.3l/100km
C02 Emissions	179g/km	179g/km	193g/km	193g/km
Price	R486 000	R564 000	R599 000	R649 000

Nteo Nkoli, Marketing Manager at Subaru Southern Africa says, “The new Forester, like the Foresters that have come before it, continues to be the most popular seller in our range of cars. These updates will certainly find more appeal with our customers because they show our innovation, our versatility and our focus on safety – the very things that our customers love about our cars and brand.”

The new Subaru Forester is the all-season, all-weather SUV. Local introduction of the new Forester is scheduled for January 2022.

The new Subaru Forester is sold with a 3yr/75 000km full Maintenance Plan as well as 5yr/150 000km Warranty. These are extendable, with various plans available to Subaru customers.

Toyota Announces Global Launch Of The All-New GR86

vuyi on November 1, 2021

The long-awaited Toyota GR86 is now available for sale in Japan but we’ll have to wait till 2022 to find out when it will be available in South Africa.

Press Release: Toyota South Africa Motors

The GR86 was jointly developed with Subaru Corporation (Subaru). In addition to building New Energy Vehicles, the two companies also share a desire to continue delivering the excitement, thrill, and joy of driving sports cars.

The GR86 shares the same base as the Subaru BRZ. However, Toyota focused on delivering the unique driving feel of a GR vehicle, with intuitive handling and instinctive responsiveness, linear response as well as outstanding agility at the upper limits of performance.

While carrying on the tradition of the 86 and engaging in friendly rivalry with Subaru’s BRZ development team, TGR sought to develop a vehicle that would realize a GR-like evolution. As a result, the new GR86 has been reborn as a car designed with outstanding driving feel that is both direct and satisfying.

Exterior

The front of the vehicle features the GR-specific Functional MATRIX Grille, which fuses performance and aesthetics. To mark its evolution from the 86 to the GR86, the GR86 logo has also been redesigned.

Interior

Equipped with a BOXER Meter, comprising a 7-inch colour screen and LCD metres, the car’s opening animation sequence is inspired by the piston movements of the GR86’s horizontally opposed engine, and fosters a sense of excitement even before the drive begins.

The metre display embodies the GR86’s sports performance, changing according to which driving mode is engaged. NORMAL mode shows the current speed in large numbers inside a circular tachometre; in Sports mode (available on AT grades only), the edges and rings of the tachometre gauge turn red; TRACK mode takes inspiration from racing car displays, and shows engine speed in large numbers.

The GR86 seats deliver a sensation of being at one with the vehicle. The lightweight front seats use independent pads used to support the body, and, in order to withstand the lateral and longitudinal g-forces generated during aggressive sports driving, they are covered in an extremely grippy material.

The new GR86 provides outstanding agility

Sporting a lightweight, compact engine with a low center-of-gravity in line with previous iterations, the GR86 increases its displacement size from 2.0 to 2.4L. The engine delivers superior driving performance as a consequence, achieving 0-100km/h acceleration in just 6.3 seconds―down from the 7.4 seconds of the previous model. Engine responsiveness has also been enhanced, providing smooth, stress-free sensations from low to high rpms.

A sports car that provides a secure and safe car life

The GR86 is equipped with EyeSight⁵ Driver Assist Technology (AT grades only). Featuring pre-collision braking technologies that help avoid collisions and mitigate damage, the system provides support for safe everyday driving.

GR PARTS maximize the appeal of the GR86

TGR has prepared a selection of custom GR PARTS to maximize the appeal of the GR86. From everyday driving to sports driving, a wide-ranging parts line-up enables all customers to personalize their GR86.Toyota South Africa Motors says local timing for launch as well as sales will be confirmed in 2022.

The all-new Subaru Outback is heading to South Africa

vuyi on March 18, 2021

Subaru Southern Africa has recently announced the imminent arrival of the all-new Subaru Outback SUV.

The all-new Subaru Outback is the most advanced, most capable and safest car in the brand’s history. Sporting a new and more powerful 2.5-litre direct injection Boxer® Engine as well as wholly improved levels of refinement and dynamic ability, the new Outback will extend the product positioning of being all-terrain capable, practicality and convenience.

The Outback will be offered in South Africa in two trim levels, the Field and Touring models giving customers more choice to suit specific lifestyles. The new Outback also debuts a number of new technologies, such as the Hands Free Tailgate function – an entirely new technology for the brand. It works by waving your hand or arm directly in front of the rear Subaru badge on the centre of the tailgate, for a convenient and easy way to gain access to the boot.

The all-new Subaru Outback is a leap ahead in terms of benchmark safety and technology
– Nteo Nkoli, Marketing Lead at Subaru SA

Making its debut in the Outback, is the DriverFocus™ Distraction Mitigation System – a smart new technology that will in future, be rolled out to other vehicles in the Subaru range. The system makes use of cameras and facial recognition to monitor the driver for signs of fatigue or distraction, then warns the driver when it detects a lack of focus and attention to the road. The system also allows for facial recognition to automatically adjust driving position and mirrors to pre-programmed settings for up to 5 individual drivers.

The Outback also features the latest, most advanced generation of EyeSight® yet. The system now includes Autonomous Corrective Steering, improved lane keeping, vibration feedback through the steering wheel, wider field of view and operation through the dual cameras. This is in addition to all the other functions of our award-winning EyeSight® Driving Assistance system.

Nteo Nkoli, Marketing Lead at Subaru SA says, “The all-new Subaru Outback is a leap ahead in terms of benchmark safety and technology not just for Subaru but for the segment as well. It really is a mind shift in terms of what is possible.”

The all-new Subaru Outback will be available from all Southern African dealers from 1 May 2021.

2021 Subaru Outback Pricing

Subaru Outback 2.5i-Field ES R699 000

Subaru Outback 2.5i-Touring ES R729 000

Each Subaru Outback model is sold with a 3yr/75 000km Maintenance Plan as well as the 5yr/150 000km Warranty.

FANTASTIC FATHERS’ FORUMS

vuyi on June 10, 2020

ABOUT

The FANTASTIC FATHERS’ FORUMS aim to educate, inform and empower male drivers and motorcyclists on the nuances of motoring/biking and vehicle ownership. The Forums focus on similar topics as in the Gals Garage Workshops – finance, safety, vehicle maintenance and driver/rider training.

A key topic within the FANTASTIC FATHERS’ FORUMS is the safe travel of expectant women, babies and toddlers.

Using various manufacturers’ vehicles, the FANTASTIC FATHERS’ FORUMS showcase different vehicular features, technologies and services and how those fit the everyday lifestyle of the guests at the Forums.

The FANTASTIC FATHERS’ FORUMS are extremely popular as they provide a bonding platform for groups of men who attend either as family members or friends.

PAST EVENTS

The first ever FANTASTIC FATHERS’ FORUM was held in association with Subaru South Africa at Bass Lake Adventures. 20 men attended the forum and spent the day experiencing various Subaru vehicles on the challenging courses within the facility. Thereafter the Forums continued with Isuzu South Africa in association with celebrity Chef Benny Masekwameng and with Bona Magazine as our media partner.

Due to COVID-19 regulations the FANTASTIC FATHERS’ FORUMS are currently on hold until further notice but will resume as soon as government regulations permit.