Movie Report #02: 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show

Osamu Namba
General Manager of Design Dept, Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd.

Hello everyone, this is Namba from the Subaru Design Department.

Today I would like to talk about the all-new Forester direct from the LA Auto Show. We have adopted three keywords during our design process -- Fun, Reliability, Quality. The entire car has been designed and engineered around these three aspects.

One of the major areas of improvement to the design included focusing on better overall proportions of the car. The A pillar here has been moved forward over previous models to create a smoother gradient. This gives the entire body a more modern, flowing look and style.

First I would like to start off with the front end of the car. It features more aggressively styling and bears the mark of a more powerful SUV than the previous Forester. Naturally, the front end also features Subaru's signature face and characteristic headlights. The headlights have been positioned high to give greater SUV-like authority. The model you see here is the turbo variant, however the hood scoop that has been used on previous turbo models has been removed. Instead, air is fed efficiently through the gaps in the front grill. A special bumper for the turbo model has also been added to create a sportier look.

And now on to the side. The body features a wide panel down from the edge of the window to give the impression of more power and a well-balanced design. No unnecessary plastic parts have been used -- instead, the underlying beauty of the car is clear here as it exudes an SUV personality and pure strength. The roof rails have been constructed with extruded aluminum, which also forms a unique feature of the car's design.

The rear end carries hints of past designs, yet also features more solid styling. The new Forester has been designed with the same tail lamps as other models in the Subaru stable. One new addition for added user convenience is the powered rear gate that opens at the touch of a button. Combined with the large luggage compartment, ease-of-use has been improved significantly. Naturally the gate also closes with a single touch. Be sure to check out all the features of the revamped Forester. Next I will show you the interior.

The interior has been designed with space and luxury in mind. The instrument panel spans across the cabin with a commanding style that befits its SUV nature. New door grips also complement this powerful styling hinting a greater sense of stability. A longer wheel base allows greater knee-space for passengers in the rear seats for a roomier feel at the back. The transmission tunnel has been lowered much further over previous models allowing for easier access. All these features combine to provide a much more spacious and high-quality interior. Platinum has been used around the cabin for a premium, brighter look, however the area around the driver's seat remains black to minimize distractions and make driving easier. This wraps up my quick overview of the all-new Forester.


*From April 2017, the company name has been changed to SUBARU CORPORATION.