The Year Ahead for Subaru Southern Africa
Johannesburg, 27 FEBRUARY 2017 – The Subaru brand has consistently strived to achieve unmatched excellence in driving enjoyment, safety, functional and practical designs. Now at the precipice of a new era, Subaru Southern Africa presents the 2017 year ahead: a year of celebration as well as the exciting introductions of several new products and technologies that usher in a new brand ethos and vehicle design direction: DYNAMIC x SOLID
Award-Winning Subaru EyeSight to launch in 2017
Subaru EyeSight®, an award-winning safety technology developed over the past 20 years by Subaru engineers, can best be described as an extra set of eyes on the road ahead, or an extra foot on the brake when necessary. EyeSight® is a technology that forms part of Subaru’s Pre-Collision Safety Pillar.
The system offers seven different types of driver assistance systems that are designed to reduce or circumvent collisions and to reduce the workload on a driver. At the core of the technology, and a key point of difference between EyeSight and other driver assistance systems of similar nature is the pair of stereo colour reading cameras. These are mounted behind the review mirror and they scan the road for unanticipated dangers. Other manufacturers make use of either Radar, Lidar or Single camera systems each of which has its shortcomings.
In 2016, all Subaru vehicles equipped with the EyeSight® system were awarded the highest safety ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS Top Safety Pick) as well as the Japanese New Car Assessment Programme (ANCAP) where it achieved the Advanced Safety Vehicle (ASV ++) award. EyeSight® uses the stereo camera, engine, brakes and transmission to improve safety and assist the driver in the following ways:
Pre-Collision Braking: Pre-collision Braking warns the driver to take evasive action when a forward collision is possible. If necessary, automatic braking can be applied to reduce damage or prevent the collision
Pre-Collision Throttle Management: Pre-collision Throttle Management can reduce accidental forward movement caused by the shift lever being in the wrong position or the accelerator pedal being accidently depressed/depressed too strongly.
Lane Departure Warning: Lane Departure Warning can alert the driver when the vehicle is about to depart the traffic lane unintentionally.
Lane Sway Warning: Lane Sway Warning can alert the driver when the vehicle is unintentionally drifting within the lane.
Adaptive Cruise Control: In addition to maintaining the preset cruise control speed, Adaptive Cruise Control can track the speed of the vehicle in front and controls speed accordingly to maintain a safe following distance.
Lead Vehicle Start Alert: Lead Vehicle Start Alert can warn the driver when the lead vehicle has pulled away from a stop while the EyeSight vehicle remains stationary.
Reverse Automatic Braking: When reversing, EyeSight® sensors can monitor objects behind and automatically stop the vehicle if an obstacle is detected.
All-New Fifth-Generation Subaru Impreza launching in Q2
The latest generation Subaru Impreza will make its way to South Africa at the end of the 2nd Quarter of 2017. It is a very important car for Subaru, as it is the first vehicle to be built using the new Subaru Global Platform architecture, which will underpin all new models for the next decade. This Platform offers new levels of safety and crashes protection, efficiency, agility, driving pleasure and modern technology. By all global accounts, it is already a winning formula as the Impreza has already bagged the 2016-2017 Japanese Car of the Year award.
The new Subaru Impreza represents a whole new level of driving enjoyment and peace of mind. Whilst the core DNA of Boxer power and Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive remains, the car is now propelled by a new 115kW 2.0-liter direct injection Boxer® engine that is the next step in efficiency and driving performance. Built upon the Subaru Global Platform the body and chassis benefit from increased strength and rigidity with 50% less body roll, the result of which is a more rewarding drive, better road holding and manoeuvrability as well as increased levels of comfort. The car also features Active Torque Vectoring for enhanced cornering capability in almost any conditions.
The Subaru Impreza will arrive in South Africa brimming with a host of new technologies designed to enhance driver appeal and improve safety. One of the many highlights of the new Impreza is a totally redesigned cabin and dash layout with a brilliant mix of tactile and soft touch switchgear in the middle of which sits a new 8-inch Touchscreen Starlink Infotainment system. This entirely new system features Apple CarPlay™, Android Auto™, Voice controlled Navigation as well as a number of other connected Apps to enjoy. In terms of build quality, features and ergonomic design, the Impreza is truly in a class of its own.
Whilst initial launch versions of the Impreza in South Africa will NOT feature Subaru’s award-winning EyeSight® Driver Assist system, EyeSight-equipped models will follow soon in the third quarter of 2017 with customers able to pre-order from the initial Q2 launch timing.
With top ratings in all crash tests plus strong performance scores for its headlights and crash-avoidance technology, the redesigned 2017 Subaru Impreza has just been awarded a Top Safety Pick Plus award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The Impreza received the Plus designation, IIHS’ “highest crashworthiness honour”, the institute said last week.
Subaru’s EyeSight® system earned a superior rating in IIHS’ dynamic tests; vehicles must earn advanced or superior scores for front crash prevention for the Plus designation. Another requirement to earn Plus status under the agency’s tougher 2017 rules is adequate or good headlight performance, both of which the Impreza received for its LED headlight & high-beam assist systems.
The Impreza also earns the top rating of good+ for ease of use of LATCH hardware for installing child restraints.
This makes it the only small car to earn top ratings in all IIHS evaluations.
Other highlights of the Impreza include Blind Spot Monitoring, Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross Traffic alert, technologies currently only offered on Subaru Legacy and Outback models.
For a car in this segment, the new Impreza offers unparalleled safety, technology and comfort features. It also stands above its competitors in build quality, driving dynamics and NVH levels.
All-New Subaru XV with EyeSight® Driver Assist launching Q3
An all-new Subaru XV Crossover will be available in South Africa from Q3 2017. Taking styling cues from the Subaru Impreza that made its international debut in 2016, the Subaru XV will be the first SUV/Crossover to be built on the new Subaru Global Platform. The car will officially launch on 7 March 2017 at the Geneva International Motor Show.
Whilst details of the Subaru XV will only be revealed on 7 March 2017, what has been confirmed is that the Subaru XV will be launched in South Africa equipped with EyeSight® Driver Assist, an advanced new X-Mode system with hill descent control and an all new interior design to mirror that of the Impreza.
MY2018 Subaru Levorg to break cover in Q3
The Subaru Levorg is a performance waggon based on the popular Subaru WRX sedan. The car features the same 197kW, 350Nm Direct Injection Turbo Boxer® engine with Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive.
The Subaru Levorg is no ordinary wagon. It’s a seamless crossbreed of performance vehicle and family wagon all packaged in a stylish yet undeniably sporty design. With estate car practicality and comfort, all-wheel drive confidence and an exhilarating engine the Subaru Levorg is set to bolster the Subaru Southern Africa line-up and give customers an extra choice in safety, space and sporty dynamics.
The car that will be made available to South African customers will be the MY2018 spec model updated in exterior and interior styling as well as suspension enhancements. The MY2018 Subaru Levorg will be available in South Africa from the third quarter of 2017 and it will be available with the EyeSight® Driver Assist system.
MY 2018 Subaru WRX and WRX STi Launching Q3
Unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show earlier this year, the MY2018 WRX and WRX STI have been updated. The highlights include a redesigned front fascia with a new grille and larger air intakes giving the car a more aggressive and sporty visage complemented by new 19-inch wheels on the STi and 18-inchers on the WRX.
On both models, the suspension and the steering feel has been enhanced. The Driver Control Center Differential (DCCD) on the STi model has been switched to a fully electronic limited-slip differential which will improve handling characteristics and increase the fun factor. The brakes on the STI have also been improved, a hint of this evident in the yellow-painted Brembo monoblock calipers that peak out through those new wheels.
A fresh application of new materials has enhanced the cabins of both cars. New customers can also expect improved NVH levels and updated tech and graphics on the larger HD TFT screens.
Final specifications will be announced closer to timing of launch in Q3.
