Subaru Forester GT: What to expect

Subaru Forester GT was first revealed in November last year and it gathered a considerable amount of attention. Then earlier this month, Subaru launched the Forester GT in our neighbouring country Singapore during the 2020 Singapore Motor Show. Considering the kind of sales the Forester garners here in Malaysia with its 3 available variants - 2.0I-L, 2.0I-S, and 2.0I-S ES - and also the fact that we already have a GT version of the Subaru XV, it is only a matter of time when Subaru Forester GT makes its way to our shores.

So what is the new Forester GT all about and what should you expect? Read on to find out.

Forester GT exterior

Just like the Subaru XV GT, the Forester GT has been given a number of new exterior elements to make it sportier and visually more appealing. To begin with, there is a brand-new aero kit that includes front and rear bumper lip extensions, side skirts as well as a roof spoiler. Together they add the missing sportiness. Subaru also slapped on bigger 18-in wheels to match the new look of the SUV. Attention to detail can be seen in the Forester GT as the new wheels get ‘GT’ wheel caps.

The aero kit is designed in collaboration with Masahiko “Jack” Kobayashi, former Chief Designer (Head of Global Advanced Design Studio) at Subaru Corporation and Giken Co. Ltd. Kobayashi has designed more than 12 Subaru models including the WRX STI, Levorg and the first-generation Outback.

So that’s about it. These were the changes that you will find on the outside of the Forester GT.

Forester GT interior

Now coming to the interior, not much has been altered. If you have been in the cabin of the top-of-the-line Forester 2.0I-S ES, you will feel right at home. Cabin space, quality of materials used, comfort, storage space, etc. everything is the same. What new here is the inclusion of new leather seats, which are said to be inspired by European grand tourers and a large 8-in infotainment system that supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity options. Subaru has also added a 360-degree view monitor in the Forester GT. This would come in handy while parking and manoeuvring in tight spaces.

Forester GT engine

You would not find anything new regarding the engine in the Subaru Forester GT specs sheet. It is the same 2.0-litre, direct-injection, 4-cylinder boxer engine that churns out 156 PS of maximum power and 196 Nm of peak torque output and is coupled to a CVT gearbox. Of course, Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive is available, too, in case you want to try your hand in off-roading.

Forester GT safety features

Subaru has its own set of safety features that goes under the name ‘EyeSight Driver Assist Technology’. It is a bit different from the usual radar-based safety systems. It uses a set of two stereoscopic camera units which record the view in front and compute if the obstacles ahead present any threat of collision and whether or not there is a need for intervention by the onboard computer. The EyeSight Driver Assist Technology package includes Pre-Collision Braking with Throttle Management, Lane Sway and Departure Warning with Lane Change Assist, Side View Monitor, Blind-Spot Detection and of course, Adaptive Cruise Control with Lead Vehicle Start Alert.

Some of the other safety features are-

• Seven airbags (front, front side, curtain & driver’s knee)
• Subaru Rear Vehicle Detection (SRVD)
• Brake Override
• Vehicle Dynamics Control System (VDC)
• Active Torque Vectoring
• Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force
• Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist System (BAS)
• Hill Descent Control
• Auto Vehicle Hold
• Towing Vehicle Dynamics Control System

As for the pricing is concerned, the Subaru Forester price for its top-end 2.0I-S ES variant in Malaysia is RM 159,788. So, the GT variant is very likely to have a higher price tag than that. We’ll have to wait to get the official pricing. And we are also waiting for Subaru to bring in its Forester e-Boxer hybrid which it recently launched in the UK. It would be interesting to see how people receive it in Malaysia.

Also Read: By mid-2030, want to sell electrified vehicles only: Subaru