Motor Image Pilipinas Inc. (MIPI) has introduced the second-generation of the BRZ and updated Forester.

Tan Chong International Limited Deputy Chairman and Managing Director Glenn Tan led the unveiling of the two models at the 2022 Manila International Auto Show.

“The 2022 Forester comes equipped with EyeSight 4.0, so owners of this new Forester can live larger and go on larger adventures with their families, thanks to its largest improvements to date. We are also excited to introduce the all-new BRZ, which levels up the driving game with greater power and performance than its predecessor. Driving enthusiasts can experience pure driving pleasure in this second-generation Japanese sports coupe, with safety and style,” Tan said.

All-new BRZ

The all-new Subaru BRZ (which stands for Boxer, Rear-wheel drive, Zenith) coupe is said to deliver more power, better performance, sportier handling, sleeker design, and fitted safety technologies.

The highly-anticipated rear-drive coupe is powered by a naturally aspirated four-cylinder horizontally-opposed power mill that is capable of producing up to 234hp and 250 Nm of torque. The engine is paired to either manual and automatic transmission (which are both six-speed).

Although 10 kilos heavier than its predecessor, the power-to-weight ratio has improved due to the car's higher output. According to MIPI, the manual version BRZ can run 0-100kph in 6.3 seconds, while the automatic, 6.8 seconds.

Similar to its Toyota GR86 twin, the all-new Subaru BRZ’s overall design got bolder — contributing to its handling capabilities.

The body of the latest Subaru BRZ is now 25mm longer and 10mm lower than the first-generation model, and wears a widened rear track (additional 10mm) and larger wheels (from 17- to 18-inch).

The vehicle features front bumper ducts, front wheel-arch slits, rear wheel-arch fins, side sill spoilers, an aggressive ducktail spoiler integrated into the boot lid, and twin exhaust pipes.

Inside, the all-new Subaru BRZ’s seats are clothed with leather and Ultrasuede materials and the steering wheel, shift boot and gear lever, handbrake as well as door panels are covered with leather trimmings.

The seven-inch TFT color LCD instrument cluster houses the tachometer and other essential driving information, and shows different infographics for the various drive modes. It can also be programmed to show specific data such as G-force, power and torque curves as well as fuel consumption.

It is also supplied with an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system matched to six speakers (which offers Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, voice recognition) and USB ports in the console box.

The standard safety fitments of the all-new Subaru BRZ are the following:

• Seven airbags
• Ring-shaped Reinforcement Frame
• Sport-tuned Vehicle Stability Control
• Steering Responsive Headlights
• Subaru Rear Vehicle Detection –
  Blind Spot Detection, Lane Change Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert
• Reverse Automatic Braking (for automatic-transmission kind)

For the first time, the automatic transmission variant of the all-new BRZ comes with the EyeSight Driver Assist Technology version 3.0, which has six functions, similar to the bigger models Forester and XV:

• Pre-Collision Braking
• Pre-Collision Throttle Management
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Lane Departure Warning
• Lane Sway Warning
• Lead Vehicle Start Alert

Offered in seven body color options (ignition red, magnetite gray metallic, sapphire blue pearl, WR blue pearl, crystal black silica, crystal white Pearl, and ice Silver Metallic), the price of the all-new Subaru BRZ is at P2.399 million for the manual trim, and P2.499 million for the automatic offering.

2022 Forester

Meanwhile, the updated Forester gets the latest version of the Eyesight Driver Assist technology and other upgrades inside out.

The EyeSight 4.0 Pre-Collision Braking is said to cover more traffic scenarios at intersections, with its improved stereo cameras that offers more coverage laterally as well as vertically and can detect obstacles not only at its own lane, but at neighboring lanes too.

The safety technology now has nine features — three of which are new (autonomous emergency steering, lane keep function and lane departure prevention), while pre-collision braking and adaptive cruise control have been improved.  

The new Subaru Forester utilizes a Driver Monitoring System (DMS) to monitor if the driver is distracted or drowsy and remembers (and automatically adjusts upon facial recognition) the unique settings of up to five drivers for their seat and door mirror positions as well as climate control settings.

Further, the new Forester has an improved X-Mode to complement the Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system of the vehicle.

The improved X-Mode has an auto-restore function that switches to “standby” when the speed exceeds 40kph, and subsequently comes back on when the speed drops below 35kph.

Furthermore, the new Forester has redesigned front grille, lamps and restyled 18-inch wheels.

The 2.0-liter direct-inject Boxer engine matched to a lineartronic continuously variable transmission (CVT) with seven-speed manual mode propels the refreshed vehicle.

Priced at P2.068 million, the vehicle is retailed in three new hues, namely brilliant bronze metallic, autumn green metallic and cascade green silica, in addition to the crystal black silica, horizon blue pearl, magnetite gray metallic, ice silver metallic, crystal white pearl and crimson red pearl.

Both the new Forester and BRZ are now on display and ready for test drives across all Subaru showrooms nationwide .

Photos from Ruben D. Manahan IV

Also read:

1st batch of Subaru BRZ units headed to PH already spoken for

Subaru reveals 2022 BRZ

Subaru PH to bring in new WRX sedan and wagon, Forester next year