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Subaru Introduces Forester Wilderness Hybrid, First Hybrid in Rugged Lineup

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Subaru Introduces First Hybrid to its Wilderness Off-Road Range

Subaru has expanded its Wilderness range of off-road-oriented vehicles with the introduction of the Forester Wilderness Hybrid, the first hybrid model in the sub-brand. The new variant joins existing petrol-powered Wilderness editions of the Forester, Outback, and Crosstrek.

Subaru Australia has been contacted for comment regarding the model's availability in the Australian market, where currently only the Outback Wilderness has been confirmed for sale.

Vehicle Specifications and Off-Road Enhancements

The Forester Wilderness Hybrid features several modifications aimed at improving off-road capability over the standard Forester. These improvements are achieved through the use of longer coil springs and different dampers. The vehicle retains an all-wheel-drive system with a mechanical connection between the front and rear axles.

Key off-road geometry improvements include:

  • Ground Clearance: 236mm, an increase from 221mm.
  • Approach Angle: 23.5 degrees, increased from 19 degrees.
  • Breakover Angle: 20.6 degrees, increased from 19.3 degrees.
  • Departure Angle: 25.5 degrees, increased from 24.6 degrees.

Powertrain Details

The hybrid variant replaces the standard 2.5-litre flat four-cylinder engine found in the petrol Forester Wilderness. The new powertrain consists of:

  • A 2.5-litre Atkinson/Miller-cycle flat four-cylinder engine.
  • A series-parallel hybrid system.
  • A lithium-ion battery.
  • Two electric motors.

This configuration delivers a peak power output of 145kW, which is an increase over the 134kW output of the petrol Forester Wilderness.

Standard Features and Equipment

Exterior and Off-Road:
  • 17-inch matte-black wheels with Yokohama Geolandar all-terrain tires.
  • Subaru’s X-Mode off-road system, including hill descent control and settings for Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud.
  • Raised roof rails with a 363kg static load capacity.
  • Distinctive orange accents and blackout trim.
Interior:
  • 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with navigation and Apple Maps integration.
  • 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system.
  • 11-speaker, 576-watt Harman Kardon sound system.
  • Grey textured StarTex synthetic upholstery, designed for weather resistance.
  • All-weather floor mats and a cargo area protector.

Market Context

Subaru first launched its Wilderness-badged vehicles in the United States market in 2021.

The introduction of these variants has been followed by other manufacturers releasing similar rugged editions, such as Ford's Explorer Timberline, Hyundai's XRT editions, Nissan's Rogue Rock Creek, and Honda's Passport and Pilot TrailSport.