GM Motor introduced its Chevrolet Forester 2.0 on Indian Road. The Chevy-badged Forester will be imported directly from Subaru in Japan and sold through select GM India dealerships that have been expanded and developed as Chevrolet franchises. The Forester has earned a reputation internationally for its unique repertoire of talents. It’s an estate and SUV rolled into one with sparkling performance and brilliant dynamics to boot. The Forester comes with an awesome reputation largely because it is based on the Subaru Impreza and uses the same underpinnings of this rally-bred saloon. That means MacPherson struts with transverse links in the front and independent struts using coils over shock absorbers at the rear, located by dual lateral links. The Forester’s styling falls in between an estate and an SUV.  It has a ground clearance and a wheelbase of 190mm and 2525mm respectively.

 

The flat-four engine considerably lowers the centre of gravity and distributes weight evenly between the front wheels. Torque steer is also eliminated by the use of equal length driveshaft. High-low range in the 4-WD transfer case has to be manually selected. The Forester’s 4×4 transmission comes with a dual-range gearbox and a viscous-type limited slip differential at the rear. Despite the additional weight of its 4×4 mechanicals, the Forester weighs a mere 1375kg, much lighter than any other SUV in the market.

 

The Forester’s steering is very.  And when you press on, the steering has a fine ability to remain unfazed, regardless of speed. The Forester’s body is also remarkably composed at speed over undulating roads. The suspension is fully independent all-round, and the high-tech nitrogen-filled dampers have in-built springs to get them to react faster to rebound. The suspension set-up is deliberately soft to allow for compliance off-road and at low speeds. However, there’s still a hard edge over sharp irregularities like manhole covers and expansion joints. However, as speeds build, the suspension tightens up and vertical movements are kept under a tight rein, as are dive and squat under braking.

 

 

It has also little road presence, the upswept headlamps and the thick bumper with its sunken fogs providing the only visual interest. The Forester’s insides feel highly driver-centric. The seats are comfy and supportive, and all the controls, like the stubby gear lever and sporty steering wheel fall easily to hand which are made from top quality material. The rubberised texture of the dash and door pads, the silver-finished centre console, the netted door pockets and the feel of the switchgear are all superb. Storage space is not great, but there’s a useful bin in the top of the dash. The rear seat lacks sufficient under-thigh support, and the backrests do not recline.

 

The front seats are superbly comfortable and offer good support even during spirited driving. The driver’s seat can also be tilted and raised, has a tremendous amount of legroom and, like the passenger seat, comes with a mini-armrest that folds away neatly into the backrest. Cubbyholes and storage areas abound. There’s not much space in the rear and this is one of the Forester’s weaknesses. Legroom is not generous by any yardstick and the small seat base gives little underthigh support. Also, with three adults abreast, shoulder space is tight.

 

The Forester’s flat four or ‘boxer’ engine is amazingly smooth. Give it the stick and the Forester reaches serious speeds pretty quickly. The dash to 100kph comes up in 11.78 seconds and goes on to hit a top speed of 177kph. The flat-four engine configuration in the Forester is another Subaru trademark and a first for the Indian market. This compact, naturally aspirated engine, which uses a single overhead camshaft to actuate four valves per cylinder, develops a decent 120bhp.

 

 

Fual efficiency, it gives 8.0kpl in the city and a respectable 10.05 on the highway.  The Forester’s ability to give a flat and consistent ride on virtually any surface and remain unfazed is staggering.  A 60-litre tank gives a useful range of over nearly 600km on the highway.

 

 

This utility car has a 1994cc petrol engine, with dimensions of 4450(L) X 1735(W) X 1590(H) mm weighs 1375kg. It also comes with a factory fitted air conditioner, heater, music system with 6 CD Changer and has additional features like power steering, power windows (front and rear), premium upholstery, fog lamps, body colour bumper, cigarette lighter, light off or on reminder, rear defogger, adjustable steering wheel, molded floor and trunk carpet, 16” alloy wheel, tachometer and is available in 4 colours. It also comes with security features like central door locking system, ABS, Air Bag for driver and passenger, side impact beams and childproof rear door locks. It also has cup holders, umbrella storage, auto-off headlights systems, digital twin trip LCD display odometer, glass antenna on rear quarter window, digital clock, 3-dial electrical type HVAC control panel, ash & coin tray and a coat hook-rear.

Filed under: Chevrolet Cars in India