2014 Forester redesign (merged thread)

[bashfulbernie]

It should be faster than 10 sec 0-60 at 5000 ft elevation, even on 91 octane.

[Loscaldazar]

Originally Posted by eps105

Yeah, speculation... sprinkled with some paranoid doom and gloom! LOL.

One of the first drive reviews I read today made reference to Subaru's own mention during the press briefings in AZ that the use of 87 octane fuel results in a 10% loss of power. So that's 225 hp with 87. So I figure, using 91 instead of 93 might be, what, 2% loss?

Also, not sure how you can estimate that 225hp would get you 0-60 in 10+ seconds when the NA 170 hp engine does it in 9.2.

Was going to say the same thing.

I think it's pretty obvious that Roman's 0-60 test was not scientific in the least, nor did Roman try to pass it off as scientific. He will have his real world test up in the future soon, where he will have ~400lbs of people in the car, a full tank of gas, and 1 mile above sea level. He'll play around and figure out the fastest setting too.

But drama sells I guess.

Other things I noted, is that the tires don't appear as wide as they could be. That means the handling department still has a lot of room to grow even with replacement all season tires!

[good dog]

Originally Posted by npaladin2000

The Forester only requires 91 octane anyway for the full 250 HP, not 93. Probably for that very reason.

Don't know where people are getting 93 when Subaru's own site and specs say 91...

Subaru Forester | The New 2014 Forester SUV

Because some members have almost ten year of experience with the XT's requiring a premium fuel like 93. And the XT's not running their true potential with lower grade gas over those same years. I imagine we'll see what running the 2014 XT's on regular in the next few years versus those that choose to run a more premium gas and what problems may or may-not show up as a result.

Don't forget there will be those that want to extract the potential out of the new Forester with tuning, running premium will likely be better right from the beginning.

[Loscaldazar]

Originally Posted by good dog

Because some members have almost ten year of experience with the XT's requiring a premium fuel like 93. And the XT's not running their true potential with lower grade gas over those same years. I imagine we'll see what running the 2014 XT's on regular in the next few years versus those that choose to run a more premium gas and what problems may or may-not show up as a result.

Don't forget there will be those that want to extract the potential out of the new Forester with tuning, running premium will likely be better right from the beginning.

My guess is that the new forester has some sort of dynamic ECU learn setting. So, instead of learning set parameters on 93 octane, and if you fill up with 91/89/87 instead of having to reset the ECU to relearn the (lower) parameters will less octane, the ECU can either advance timing to the threshold of knock constantly (without knocking) and dynamically change with the octane. It must have some way of changing the parameters without having to reset the ECU every time you switch grades of gas....

Subaru has stated that 87 octane is ok to use in the 2.0XT...Not just as an emergency use only, but as an actual full time gas. They wouldn't spec it, if it caused too much damage.

[good dog]

Originally Posted by Loscaldazar

My guess is that the new forester has some sort of dynamic ECU learn setting. So, instead of learning set parameters on 93 octane, and if you fill up with 91/89/87 instead of having to reset the ECU to relearn the (lower) parameters will less octane, the ECU can either advance timing to the threshold of knock constantly (without knocking) and dynamically change with the octane. It must have some way of changing the parameters without having to reset the ECU every time you switch grades of gas....

Subaru has stated that 87 octane is ok to use in the 2.0XT...Not just as an emergency use only, but as an actual full time gas. They wouldn't spec it, if it caused too much damage.

You're most definitely right, but I guess my point was after so many years of problems on the XT's running lower grade fuels and the likelihood of further tuning the 2014 XT that using the higher fuel may be a better way to go right from the start. Newer owners to the XT probably won't give it a second thought to run Regular.

[fts1966]

Originally Posted by dpm

Funny, this side of the Pond people manage to turn accross oncoming traffic and merge onto motorways etc in loaded cars with only 50-70hp...

yes that is true. my smart has a bit over 70 hp. no problem at all keeping up with or any kind of traffic yet in the us. 3 years and 60,000 miles.

alo our old 93 ford truck has just under 150hp for the 302 v8. but it does just fine. pulled a camper for many years with it. now it is old and retired from pulling.

it was not that long ago you could not get many cars or trucks with more than about 150 hp. look back to the 80's

sis had a 82 nissan sentra 82 hp automatic she drove the crap out of that thing. and still go 40mpg

[keepclam]

Originally Posted by ssatpathy

Folks, for those wondering what the mysterious "Jasmine Green" body color on the 2014 Forester would look like, here's something to quench your thirst :)! Its listed as a color on the XV on Subaru's Global site. Even though this is only a poor substitute to seeing it in the flesh, that's all we've got for now.

SUBARU | SUBARU XV | Exterior 360°

Originally Posted by staryoshi

...
I saw that, too. If it's a slightly more green "sage green metallic" then it's definitely in the running for my choice of color.

Looks like you can see a real-world (albeit dust-covered) example of Jasmine Green after the 1:00 mark of this video:
2014 Subaru Forester and XT Turbo First Drive Review - YouTube

[keepclam]

delete

[keepclam]

Originally Posted by npaladin2000

Was that sea level? Roman is Colorado based so they usually test at high altitude.

The track portion of the testing was at Inde Motorsports Ranch in Willcox, AZ. Willcox has an elevation of 4,167 ft above sea level.

[bashfulbernie]

I will predict faster than 8 sec 0-60 between 5000 - 6000 ft elevation, with 91 octane.

[Lo/Rez]

Most auto manufacturers post 0-60 times that are generally achievable in the real world. Some even tend to be conservative in their numbers.

[ents]

2014 Subaru Forester Test Drive - Popular Mechanics
2014 Subaru Forester Drive Review - Autoweek
First Drive: 2014 Subaru Forester - Automobile Magazine

[cris]

Originally Posted by bashfulbernie

It should be faster than 10 sec 0-60 at 5000 ft elevation, even on 91 octane.

but what does that mean? nothing.... elevation alone is meaningless.....5000 feet elevation with better than average aforementioned variables/conditions can actually be better than 2000 feet elevation with worsethan average conditions......what you are doing is like describing a man with just one variable, 250LBS..... but is it a 5'5" morbidly obese mouthbreather who has to catch his breath every 5 steps, or is it a 6'6" physically fit and muscular athlete?....so your 5000 ft elevation is just as meaningless as my 250 lbs description without other key variables..........secondly, 0-60 is a measure of acceleration not top speed, so describing it as "fast" or "faster" is wrong........but thats just me being a smartass now :D

[cris]

Originally Posted by Loscaldazar

Was going to say the same thing.

I think it's pretty obvious that Roman's 0-60 test was not scientific in the least, nor did Roman try to pass it off as scientific. He will have his real world test up in the future soon, where he will have ~400lbs of people in the car, a full tank of gas, and 1 mile above sea level. He'll play around and figure out the fastest setting too.

But drama sells I guess.

Other things I noted, is that the tires don't appear as wide as they could be. That means the handling department still has a lot of room to grow even with replacement all season tires!

so what exactly is the definition of a "scientific 0-60 test" ? and based on what dictionary orinternationally agreed upon standard?

[Sydgun]

Originally Posted by ents

2014 Subaru Forester Test Drive - Popular Mechanics

Popular Mechanics review of the new XT :

"And with a 0-to-60 time of 6.2 seconds, the XT is the fastest crossover in its class, hands down."

Read more: 2014 Subaru Forester Test Drive - Popular Mechanics