- The Subaru Forester received the highest possible safety rating - five
stars, for both frontal and side-impact crash tests for all seating
positions -
CHERRY HILL, N.J., May 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Subaru of America, Inc. today
announced that the 2009 Subaru Forester earned the highest rating in the
U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) crash tests. The
Subaru Forester received five stars in both the frontal and side-impact
crash tests for all seating positions.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080521/NEW101 )
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080325/SUBARULOGO )
"Subaru customers have come to expect the highest level of safety in
their vehicles," said Thomas J. Doll, Executive Vice President, Subaru of
America, Inc. "The Subaru Forester continues to deliver the highest levels
of occupant safety as evidenced by its recent five star performance in the
NHTSA NCAP tests."
New for 2009, all Subaru Forester models feature standard side-curtain
airbags with a rollover sensor, Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) stability
and traction control system and Brake Assist safety system. A roll-over
sensor activates seatbelt pre-tensioners and the side-curtain air bags.
NHTSA uses a consumer-friendly ratings system -- ranging from one to
five stars, with five being the highest, that makes it easy to compare the
predicted safety performance of tested vehicles. A listing of the NHTSA
NCAP ratings for 2009 models can be found at http://www.safercar.gov. This
information is also available by calling NHTSA's toll-free vehicle safety
hotline, (888) 327-4236.
Subaru Making Safety Standard
To Subaru, safety means more than protecting a car's occupants in the
event of a collision. Ideally, a passenger vehicle should provide the
driver with the means to help avoid hazardous situations. Subaru calls this
concept Active Driving/Active Safety. Designing a vehicle for active safety
gives a driver a strong sense of control, maneuverability and security.
Active Safety: Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive forms the core of the
Subaru Active Driving/Active Safety concept. Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive
gives a Subaru a significant traction advantage over two-wheel drive cars
(front- and/or rear-wheel drive) on all road surfaces. On all Subaru
models, the standard 4-channel / 4-sensor Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
incorporates Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD). This system
enhances braking performance and stability by actively optimizing braking
force between the front and rear wheels according to how the vehicle is
loaded with passengers and cargo.
Passive Safety: The compact Subaru Boxer engine helps enhance safety,
because it allows more crush room in front and on the sides. Subaru
vehicles are designed to allow the entire powertrain to slide under the car
along the floor tunnel in a severe collision, helping to prevent intrusion
into the passenger compartment. All Subaru models are built around a Ring
Frame Reinforced body structure design that incorporates front and rear
crumple-zone construction to absorb the energy of an impact and help
protect the reinforced passenger compartment. Essentially, the Ring Frame
Reinforced structure forms a series of "rings" around the passenger
compartment, providing excellent protection in a variety of collision
types. This structure increases cabin rigidity and can absorb impact energy
from any direction.
Advanced Restraint Systems: All 2008 Subaru Impreza, Legacy, Outback
and Tribeca models feature side curtain air bags (full side coverage) for
head protection. The side curtain air bags deploy from the headliner. All
models also employ the Subaru Advanced Frontal Airbag System. This
intelligent air bag system employs dual-stage-deployment driver and front
passenger air bags. A seat position sensor on the driver's seat track
detects if the driver is sitting too close to the air bag, in which case
the system would delay deployment of the air bag's second stage. The
passenger side front seat incorporates an occupant detection module that
detects weight on the passenger seat -- determining if it's a child or
adult -- to control air bag deployment.
All Subaru models feature standard front seat side impact air bags for
thorax-area protection. Mounted in the upper sides of the front seatbacks,
the front seat side-impact airbags offer protection regardless of seat
position.
The Subaru model lineup also incorporates electrically triggered
pre-tensioners and force limiters in the front three-point seatbelts. These
systems work together to gradually restrain the occupants and absorb the
impact energy of a frontal collision. The seatbelt pre-tensioners operate
simultaneously with the front air bags and cinch the front seatbelts to
help restrain the driver and front passenger in their seats. Next, the
mechanically operated torsion-bar force-limiters extend the belts to reduce
the belt forces on the occupants' torsos. The seatbelt mechanism also
absorbs energy through internal deformation.
All Subaru models are equipped with the LATCH system (Lower Anchors and
Tethers for Children) for securing specially equipped child seats in the
rear seat. Subaru sedan models are equipped with an internal emergency
trunk release with a self-illuminating handle.
For additional information about Subaru of America, Inc. and Subaru
vehicles, visit the company's media web site at http://www.media.subaru.com.
About Subaru of America, Inc.
Subaru of America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy
Industries Ltd. of Japan. Headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J., the company
markets and distributes Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive vehicles, parts
and accessories through a network of nearly 600 dealers across the United
States. Subaru makes the best-selling All-Wheel Drive car sold in America
based on R.L. Polk & Co. new vehicle retail registration statistics
calendar year-end 2004. For additional information visit http://www.subaru.com.
Contacts: Heather Ward
Subaru of America, Inc.
(856) 488-5093
hward@subaru.com
Michael McHale
Subaru of America, Inc.
(856) 488-3326
mmchale@subaru.com
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