Updated Forester revealed

Eyesight tech is sharpened and, yes, it has new ‘eyes’ too.

 MORE than just a pretty … erm, ‘interesting’ … new face.

That’s what’s promised with an update of the Subaru Forester. Unveiled in Japan and expected to reach export markets within six months, the model’s big facelift delivers obvious styling changes, but while the drivetrains are left alone, there are some improvements to the Eyesight suite of driver assist systems, plus revised suspension.

Note how the windscreen is different? Overseas’ media say that’s because the car has a largely revised EyeSight set-up comprising four cameras and a new stereo camera. The hardware connects to new software and adds to Subaru’s repertoire of advanced safety systems with turn and signal pre-collision sensing.

Another new tech on the safety side is Advanced Automatic Collision Notification which sends an alert to an operations centre including sat-nav positioning, useful information for emergency services. The sat-nav positioning is now also used to assist adaptive cruise control to slow for corners. Any coincidence the self-same technology is now also being used by co-operative partner, Toyota, on the latest Highlander and Land Cruiser LC300? The brands are tight these days.

As for the new look? With new LED headlights and a somewhat altered front fascia, it’s a more aggressive outlook, that’s for sure.

This is basically an upfront refresh, as little of the metalwork elsewhere around the body appears to have been touched.

Ditto for the cabin’s overall design, though there’s a central small digital screen sitting atop a console where the climate control and infotainment sit.

All indications from Subaru Japan is that the 2.5-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine and CVT automatic will continue. The car also offers with a more powerful 2.4-litre turbo model in the United States, an engine shared with the Outback. While the latter is set to adopt it locally next year, there’s no word if Forester will follow suit.