Tag Archives: cars

AWD, Motoring, Subaru, SUV/4X4

Still going strong…with more to come

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Subaru Forester e-Boxer

By Bill McCarthy

When discussing the many pros, and yes a couple of cons of Subaru models, the word Sport rarely comes into the equation. With the exception, of course, of the firecracker rally star the Impreza WRX.

‘Sport’ is a regular description in the lexicon of motor manufacturers, and usually suggests an upgrade in performance, which is not the case on Subaru’s versatile, go virtually anywhere SUV.

The Forester, due to be upgraded in a couple of months, offers superb off-road capability, excellent practicality and bulletproof reliability. 

A car much favoured in the rural community it is built on the firm’s Global Platform and features the two litre eBoxer self-charging hybrid power unit.

Its boxy and robust styling remains, although the rougher edges have been smoothed out and this Sport version offers various cosmetic changes.

Including splashes of colour, aluminium pedals, sport upholstery with coloured stitching and  flashes, smart 18-inch alloy wheels, and body-colour folding side mirrors with integrated turn signals.

It features red (some say orange, but it looks red to me) flashes, contrasting with the blue colour on this model, below the doors, roof bars, grille and to the rear and yes, it does give it a more sporty profile. 

The theme continues inside with red trim to the steering wheel  and transmission selector, while the sports seats add the red (or orange) stitching.

Sport also features steering wheel paddle shifters, and there are upgraded LED lights.

The driver’s seat is electrically operated and provides a commanding view through spacious glass areas, creating a comfortable atmosphere.

So cosmetic changes really and yes an aesthetic improvement, but the Forester is more about practicality, its off-road capability and offering something more traditional.

The interior remains functional, slightly dated, but for many, including me, that works. Fancy Dan touch screens with haptic buttons and sometimes distracting graphics deliver a hi-tech feel, but the solid, non-nonsense rotary dials and stalks are still favoured by Subaru drivers.

But there are still enough hi-tech gizmos, with  a central eight inch display controlling major functions like infotainment, navigation and smartphone connectivity, plus a 6.3-inch real time driver display.

There’s a wealth of standard features, including  the usual electrical aids a high-quality sound system, a reversing camera, and a standard full-length sunroof. 

The large, very large, stowage area, accessible via a powered tailgate, and becomes cavernous The 60/40-split folding seats can be laid flat.

Its off-road capability has few peers and while it’s not always put to the test in extreme conditions, it is well-suited for tasks like towing a horse box through muddy fields or working on a farm or giving extra grip and  stability in poor weather conditions

The e-Boxer hybrid setup has improved, (slightly) fuel efficiency although it is still quite thirsty for hybrid. This system pairs a compact electric motor with a two-litre e-Boxer petrol engine, functioning like a conventional hybrid with automatic assistance from the electric motor when needed.

Sport does not apply to performance, with the vehicle offers a decent driving experience, but a relatively sedate 0-60 mph time of just under 12 seconds. However, once reaching speed, it provides a comfortable ride, offering decent stability for its type, with only minimal body roll during corners.

Loaded with safety features, it includes the firm’s Eyesight technology, which, as the name suggests, acts as an additional set of ‘eyes’—or cameras—that monitor the road ahead for potential hazards, including other cars, motorbikes, bicycles, or pedestrians. While it may not be the most sophisticated vehicle available, this simplicity might be its main appeal to loyal customers. Coupled with a five-year/100,000-mile warranty, it presents a compelling package.

Factfile 

Subaru Forester e-Boxer 2.0i Sport AWD

  • Price: £40,195
  • Mechanical: 147bhp, 1,998cc, four cylinder petrol engine and electric motor driving all wheels via CVT gearbox.
  • Max speed: 118mph
  • 0-62mph: 11.8 seconds
  • Combined mpg: 34.7
  • Insurance group: 23E
  • CO2 emissions: 185g/km
  • BIK rating: 37%
  • Warranty: 5yrs/100,000 miles
Motoring

Compact EV still a smart choice

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smart #3 Premium

By Bill McCarthy

For many, smart conjures up the image of the quirky, slightly boxy two-seater Fortwo, very much a Marmite type of car for many. However, the Forfour offered a more conventional alternative.
The latest rear-wheel drive models are a world away, embracing the electric revolution with, yes, smart looking vehicles that deliver decent range and interesting technology.
Following smart #1, the #3 is what the firm describes as the brand’s first-ever sports utility coupé. It is available with five specifications – Pro, Pro+, Premium, driven here, 25th Anniversary Edition and the rapid BRABUS. The range starts with the base model with 49kWh battery at £32,950.
It is a pleasing design with a prominent ‘shark nose’ on the wide grille, flanked by elliptical LED matrix headlights and a deep grille.
The rear is defined by a continuous lightbar giving access to a roomy boot. Sitting on smart 19-inch alloys, the aerodynamic coupe styling is unmistakable, but it is clear that this is a compact SUV, offering space and practicality The full panoramic ‘halo’ glass roof adds to the feeling of roominess.

With the glass roof, the cabin feels light and airy and multicoloured ambient lighting creates a relaxing atmosphere.
The cockpit is a bit less is more, unless you are looking at the 12.3 inch central touchscreen that features some unique graphics. These include a graphic of an animated cheetah, amusing for some but potentially distracting, but the screen is easy enough to use, eventually, as some controls like heating and door mirror adjustment are embedded. But you get used to it.
The screen is the brain of the car, it features smartphoneconnectivity, navigation and a 13-speaker Beats infotainment system. This is supplemented by a 9.2-inch driver display with real time info and colour heads-up display.  The systems can now be constantly updated via the car’s over-the-air capability, allowing updates to be implemented directly by the user without a visit to the service centre.
All are well equipped and this Premium model has goodies like an all round view camera, wireless device charging, powered heated seats and tailgate and assisted parking system.
Performance is, well, electric thanks to the 66kW battery delivering nearly 270bhp for neck wrenching acceleration. It hits 60mph in just over five seconds and on to a top speed of 112mph. However, even this is eclipsed by the mighty Brabus version, hitting 60mph in around 3.5 seconds.
It handles pretty well, feeling stable, although flooring the throttle can snatch at the steering wheel, otherwise, it’s a smooth operator, particularly on motorway journeys.
 Plenty of performance and with a range of 283 miles WLTP, longer journeys can be planned more easily and with less anxiety. The car can then be charged from 18 to 90 per cent in just 30 minutes with the 150 kW/h chargers.
In practical terms, the boot offers a spacious 370 litres rising to 1160 with the rear seats folded, in addition, there is a central console for storage of other odds and ends.
Any vehicle associated with Mercedes will be packed with advanced safety equipment and the smart is no different with a five-star safety rating. Technology includes smart pilot assist, which combines a variety of systems, plus autonomous braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and traffic sign recognition.

For many, smart conjures up the image of the quirky, slightly boxy two-seater Fortwo, very much a Marmite type of car for many.

However, the Forfour offered a more conventional alternative.
The latest rear-wheel drive models are a world away, embracing the electric revolution with, yes, smart looking vehicles that deliver decent range and interesting technology and the modern tech lingo with the hashtag moniker.

Following smart #1, the #3 is what the firm describes as the brand’s first-ever sports utility coupé. It is available with five specifications – Pro, Pro+, Premium, driven here, 25th Anniversary Edition and the rapid BRABUS.

The range starts with the base model with 49kWh battery at £32,950.
It is a pleasing design with a prominent ‘shark nose’ on the wide grille, flanked by elliptical LED matrix headlights and a deep grille.

The rear is defined by a continuous lightbar giving access to a roomy boot. Sitting on smart 19-inch alloys, the aerodynamic coupe styling is unmistakable, but it is clear that this is a compact SUV, offering space and practicality. The full panoramic ‘halo’ glass roof adds to the feeling of roominess. 

With the glass roof, the cabin feels light and airy and multicoloured ambient lighting creates a relaxing atmosphere.
The cockpit is a bit less is more, unless you are looking at the 12.3 inch central touchscreen that features some unique graphics.

These include a graphic of an animated cheetah, amusing for some but potentially distracting, but the screen is easy enough to use, eventually, as some controls like heating and door mirror adjustment are embedded. But you get used to it.
The screen is the brain of the car, it features smartphoneconnectivity, navigation and a 13-speaker Beats infotainment system.

This is supplemented by a 9.2-inch driver display with real time info and colour heads-up display.  The systems can now be constantly updated via the car’s over-the-air capability, allowing updates to be implemented directly by the user without a visit to the service centre.

All are well equipped and this Premium model has goodies like an all round view camera, wireless device charging, powered heated seats and tailgate and assisted parking system.

Performance is, well, electric thanks to the 66kW battery delivering nearly 270bhp for neck wrenching acceleration. It hits 60mph in just over five seconds and on to a top speed of 112mph.

However, even this is eclipsed by the mighty Brabus version, hitting 60mph in around 3.5 seconds.
It handles pretty well, feeling stable, although flooring the throttle can snatch at the steering wheel, otherwise, it’s a smooth operator, particularly on motorway journeys.

Plenty of performance and with a range of 283 miles WLTP, longer journeys can be planned more easily and with less anxiety. The car can then be charged from 18 to 90 per cent in just 30 minutes with the 150 kW/h chargers.
In practical terms, the boot offers a spacious 370 litres rising to 1160 with the rear seats folded, in addition, there is a central console for storage of other odds and ends.
Any vehicle associated with Mercedes will be packed with advanced safety equipment and the smart is no different with a five-star safety rating.

Technology includes smart pilot assist, which combines a variety of systems, plus autonomous braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and traffic sign recognition.

The #3 is a fine car and not that expensive given the Mercedes link. Not so quirky as its predecessors, although strangely named, but still a class act.

Factfile

Smart #3 Premium
Price: £39,950
Mechanical: 268bhp, 200kW electric motor driving rear wheels via single speed transmission.
Max speed: 112mph
0-60mph: 5 seconds
Combined range: 283
Insurance group: 34 (tbc)
CO2 emissions: 0g/km
BiK rating: 2%
Warranty: 5yrs/100,000 miles