2009 Subaru Forester an IIHS 'Top Safety Pick'

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario, Apr 17, 2008 -- Subaru Canada, Inc. (SCI) is delighted to announce that the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has awarded the new 2009 Subaru Forester its highest accolade, naming it a Top Safety Pick. To qualify, a vehicle must earn the highest rating (Good) in the Institute's front, side, and rear crash tests, and be equipped with electronic stability control.

2009 Subaru Forester 2.5 XT

According to the IIHS, achieving the highest rating is tough because the award is intended to drive continued safety improvements such as top crash test ratings and the rapid addition of electronic stability control, which is standard on the 2009 Subaru Forester.

"The performance of the Forester underscores Subaru's commitment to delivering state-of-the-art safety to its customers," said IIHS President Adrian Lund. "You don't know what kind of crash you're going to be in. That's why it's important to choose a vehicle that will protect you in all kinds of crashes. The Top Safety Pick designation is intended to help people find the safest choices."

The Institute's frontal crashworthiness evaluations are based on results of 40 mph frontal offset crash tests. Side evaluations are based on performance in a crash test in which the side of a vehicle is struck by a barrier moving at 31 mph. The barrier represents the front end of a pickup or SUV. Rear crash protection is rated according to the effectiveness of the seats' head restraint geometry in a collision in which a stationary vehicle is struck from behind at 20 mph. Seats without good or acceptable geometry are rated poor overall.

The extensive roster of dynamic safety technology in the 2009 Forester includes standard 4-wheel disc brakes with Subaru's 4-wheel, 4-channel, 4-sensor Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Emergency Brake Assist, the Vehicle Dynamics Control electronic stability system, as well as Symmetrical full-time All-Wheel Drive. The new Forester is also now equipped with Brake Assist.

The foundation for passive safety in the Forester is the proven Subaru Ring Shaped Reinforcement Frame vehicle structure. Standard passive safety technology includes the Subaru advanced frontal air bag system (SRS), driver and front passenger seat-mounted side-impact air bags, and standard side curtain air bags. A new rollover sensor can deploy the curtain side air bags if a potential vehicle rollover is detected.

For more information about Forester and the full range of Subaru vehicles-all of which have achieved Top Safety Pick status from the IIHS-please visit the SCI website at subara.ca.

For more detail about the IIHS and its safety testing procedures, go to www.iihs.org.

The new 2009 Subaru Forester will go on sale in Canada on April 19.

Source: Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd.

Bookmark/Search this post with:

 •    •    •    •    •    •    •    •    •    •