This family friendly Forester is now available with a choice of extensively revised petrol and diesel Boxer engines, and faced stiff competition from the likes of the Porsche Cayenne, Skoda Yeti and the Range Rover Evoque. But thanks to its Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive configuration, car-like driving dynamics and exceptional practicality, judges singled-out the Japanese crossover for the highest praise.

The panel of experts from the 4×4 magazine commented “Typically of Subaru, the Forester does very good things without making a fuss of it. The combination it offers of quality, value, practical usability and driving talent makes it very hard indeed to beat.

“The Forester has always been a star in its own corner of the market, and heavily revised petrol and diesel engines means it now shines brighter than ever.”

The Forester Petrol range has a choice of two models the Forester 2.0X and 2.0XS, costing £21,370 and £25,370 respectively in manual guise.  Automatic versions are available at a £1,000 premium.

But for customers who prefer Diesel engines the Forester is also available with a 2.0-litre Boxer engine which has an impressive 47.9 mpg combined prices start at £23,070 (on-the-road) for the entry-level 2.0D X, rising to £25,070 for the 2.0D XC, and £29,070 for the range-topping 2.0D XS NavPlus.

Subaru have been recently backed by the AA in providing customers with practical tips on how they can use their Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive vehicles to tow snow-bound front and rear-wheel-drive cars out of trouble, safely and efficiently.

The AA-endorsed winter-specific towing tips (see below) include guidance and driving techniques for how to use your vehicles equipment. For example Subaru advise drivers to check that the transmission of the towed vehicle is left in neutral, and that the steering wheel is not locked, then its front wheels will be pointing in the planned direction to travel. But this can be very difficult in thick deep snow.

“On the road, traction is key at any time but never more so than during winter, when the roads are often slippery. In these conditions, All-Wheel Drive is always better than front or rear-drive, as it reduces the risk of wheel spin and maximises control of the vehicle” comments AA patrol of the year Keith Miller.

“This in turns aids those towing other motorists out of trouble by helping to keep things smooth, it’s important not to let the rope snatch – move off gently so the rope takes up the tension gradually.” Miller continued.

Subaru’s model range – Legacy, Outback, Forester, WRX STi and Impreza are equipped with Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system which directs power to all four wheels which optimises traction in the worst winter conditions. Subaru’s mostly feature Vehicle Dynamic Control, which manages torque distribution, engine output and brakes at each wheel, making adjustments instantaneously when grip levels in order to keep the vehicle on the chosen course.

Subaru’s top tips for emergency winter towing:

1)    Alert other road users – Use warning triangles to mark out the section of road onto which your Subaru and the towed vehicle are about to move.  Anyone placing warning triangles in the road should wear a reflective safety vest.

2)    Know the limits of the equipment – Only use a rope specifically designed for towing road cars, and only tether it to the towing eyelets specified by the manufacturer.

3)    Take the strain – The tow rope’s tension should be built up slowly to avoid vehicle damage.  When towing, pulling away in second gear in your Subaru can often help minimise any loss of grip.

4)    Keep it straight – The towed vehicle should ideally be towed to a safe position in a straight line, reducing unnecessary strain on the towing eyelets and making it easier to avoid the towed vehicle taking an unwanted change in trajectory.

5)    Stay loose – Ensure that the steering in the towed vehicle is not locked, and that the wheels are pointing in the right direction before towing begins.

6)    Take a neutral stance – The transmission of the vehicle to be towed should always be in neutral.  Keep the ignition of the towed vehicle on and the engine ticking over so that the brakes can continue to function.

7)    Keep it short – A towed vehicle can be hard to control on icy roads, so only cover the distance necessary to get the towed vehicle out of trouble.  Once the vehicle has been towed onto an area affording adequate traction, both vehicles should quickly but progressively come to a halt.  Then check if the towed vehicle is able to move off safely under its own power.

8)    Don’t look down – Never tow anyone downhill in case the stranded vehicle runs into the back of your Subaru or overtakes you.

Marketing Director of Subaru UK, Kenyon Neads, said: “I helped rescue a snow-bound neighbour in a German rear-wheel-drive vehicle last year, and we know many of our customers will find themselves in similar situations as soon as the snow falls.  We know our customers have less to fear than most from the snow and ice that winter brings, but we want to help them respond to appeals for rescue in the safest way possible.”

Subaru joined with Toyota on a engineering venture, the result is the BRZ, which delivers a sensational driving experience. The BRZ Concept was designed and developed from the outset to deliver driving fun, exceptional handling, combined with reliability and safety. It’s been given a lightweight chassis with the use of cutting-edge lightweight materials which works in conjunction with a lowered Boxer engine, giving the BRZ exceptional handling.

The low-slung, naturally aspirated engine allows for a low and wide stance: 1,300mm tall and 1,775mm wide. However the 2 plus 2 sports car still offers ample luggage space ensuring it is a adept as a weekend touring companion and as an enthralling daily driver.

The exterior of the BRZ  is instantly recognisable as a Subaru, the front has a low bonnet line which accentuates the bulging front wheel arches. Signature design features include distinctive headlights, hexagonal lower grille and a six-star badge which all give it a striking appearance. It has neat air vents on either side, pierced by a chrome dart. It also has twin exhaust pipes which prominently penetrating each side which give it a final flourish of style.

The interior has been designed to ensure the driver enjoys the experience, the steering wheel is compact to aid rapid inputs and to ensure the driver can fully enjoy the BRZ’s lightning-quick responses. It has specially designed sports seats which feature ergonomically optimised bolsters to hold driver and passenger securely and comfortably. The instruments in the dashboard feature a tachometer with a digitally displayed speedometer at the centre, ensuring that vital information is in view at all times.

The BRZ also explotes the best design features of the current-generation Boxer engine, it has a newly developed 2.0 litre powerplant exclusive to the BRZ. The joint programme with Toyota allowed Toyota’s ‘D-4S’ direct injection and port injection technology to be incorporated into the BRZ’s power unit, improving efficiency. The powerplant achieves a maximum output of 200PS and 151lb/ft torque.

A more rigorous assessment system was implemented in 2009 by Euro (NCAP), they are a independent agency composed of European Governments and European motoring and consumer organisations, who have been testing cars since 1997. Vehicles are now assessed on “Adult Occupant Protection”, “Child Occupant Protection”, “Safety Assist” and “Pedestrian Protection”. The five star award was previously awarded to the new Legacy two years ago. All Subaru vehicles have received numerous awards for the car safety and performances from other authoritative bodies.

Subaru have advanced its unique “ring-shaped reinforcement frame body”  by optimizing the impact energy relay structure. The XV also has increased high tensile steel plates, these different features allow a reduction in weight and higher collision safety performances to impacts from all directions, and enhanced passenger safety. The XV has airbags installed in the front seats, sides (torso and curtain), and at the driver’s knee it also includes VDC (Vehicle Dynamics Control) in all models, making it a really safe car.

The full production model of the Subaru BRZ will be making its debut at the Tokyo Motor Show in December, the BRZ concept is a pre-cursor which has been eagerly awaited.

This new compact coupe has been developed as part of an on-going joint project with Toyota Motor Corporation.  All of the cars are to be built at Subaru’s Gunma plant in Japan when the production starts in Spring 2012.

The new Subaru BRZ has been built around all of Subaru’s core technologies such as a new 2.0 litre Subaru Boxer engine which was developed especially with the BRZ in mind. It also holds the latest direct injection technology to improve combustion and efficiency.

The engineered chassis is built with a front engine and a rear wheel configuration, which allows the engine to sit low and rearward to ensure the lowest possible centre of gravity to maximise the BRZ’s handling prowess.

The Subaru UK National Cycle Relay reached its successful conclusion, on the 21st October and has raised over £20,000 so far, for the people in Japan who were affected in the tsunami.

The relay started in the Midlands back in August, the challenge involved the entire Subaru dealer network and took in all four corners of the British Isles. An employee from each dealership volunteered to cycle a leg between their showroom and the next site in the relay. The distances between the sites ranged from 15 miles to a massive 130 miles.

Lord Edmiston, chairman of I.M Group (distributors of Subaru in the UK) said: “The Cycle Relay has been a huge success.  We wanted to achieve two things with our fund raising efforts; to identify a specific project in Japan that we could support and where there would be real, tangible benefits and secondly, to involve as many of our dealers as possible.  I’m delighted that the vast majority got involved with the project and did their bit for this worthwhile cause.”

Customers also showed generosity by given various sponsorship donations for the cyclist taking part. The fundraising is due to continue until the middle of December, with prize draw tickets taking over from charitable cyclists in a bid to create more money for the charity. Showroom visitors can also purchase a ticket to enter a prize draw to win a Subaru Outback 2.5 SE Lineartronic which is worth £28,075

Subaru’s UK fund raising efforts come in addition to the 50 million yen (£415,000)  which was donated by Subaru’s parent company, Fuji Heavy Industries in March. They also provided light towers, water pumps, generators and 200 industrial products as part of their donation.

All of the donations which are raised are going to AAR Japan (Association for Aid Relief) they pay for mobile clinic services which provide paramedics, nurses and medical supplies to those displaced by the earthquake.

The Subaru BRZ  ‘Prologue’  is the enhanced version of the BRZ. This exhibit will showcase new Subaru technology which is being used in a joint venture with Toyota. The new BRZ will feature an all new 2.0 litre Subaru direct injection Boxer engine, which has been developed exclusively for the model.

The production model of the new XV will also be included in the show, this model remains true to the concept, which was first shown in Shanghai in April. This model includes Subaru’s symmetrical All-wheel drive and advanced Subaru dynamic chassis control concept.

Company President of Subaru Yasuyuki Yoshinaga, will be conducting the press conference at 9.30am on September 13th.

The “BRZ” stands for “Boxer engine”, “Rear-wheel drive” and Zenith, and embodies ultimate passion for the new sports car. The FHI will exhibit the technology concept of the “Subaru BRZ”named SUBARU BRZ PROLOGUE-BOXER Sports car Architecture II – will be shown at the 64th Frankfurt Motor Show in Spetember.

The start of production is planned for the Spring of 2012.

The dealers are to raise there own sponsorships for their own leg of there journey’s. Some dealers will have to ride a distance of 15 miles, some could have to travel 130 it all depends were there site is situated. The cycle relay is due to finish mid October and all four corners of the UK will have been covered, as well as a trip across the sea to Northern Ireland.

Chairman of the company Lord Edmiston, Group Managing Director Andrew Edmiston, Subaru UK’s new Managing Director Darren James and Operations Director Paul Tunnicliffe all took to their bikes to ride the first leg of the relay, from the Subaru UK headquarters in Coleshill to local dealer Carstins, nine miles away at Balshall Common.

Subaru are donated all sponsorship money to the AAR Japan (Association for Aid Relief), all money raised by the UK will go towards the mobile clinic services, who provide nurses, paramedics and medical supplies to people who were displaced by the earthquake.

Subaru are also offering a brand new Outback 2.5 SE Lineartronic worth £28,075 as a competition prize to raise further funds. The car itself will be the support vehicle throughout the relay, carrying spares for the participating cyclists. Its also been fitted with a GPS navigation system so its progress around the UK can be monitored via Subaru’s website. To win the Outback, you will need to visit your local Subaru dealer and buy a ticket or text in their answer to a simple question featured on the side or a car.

To follow the national relay, visit Subaru UK website at www.subaru.co.uk, the website also has daily event blog to follow.

Former British Rally Champion Mark Higgins posted a blistering lap around the 37.8 mile course in 19 minutes and 56.7 seconds which was an average speed of 113mph and a highest speed of 162mph. Higgins time was more than two minutes faster than the faster previous record set by the late Tony Pond 21 years previously at the wheel of a Rover 827 Vitesse. He was the first to break the average 100mph barrier in a road car, and the lap record has stood ever since.

The WRX STi used for the record breaking run was a standard Subaru production car, equipped with a 300PS Horizontally- Opposed Boxer engine, unmodified brake callipers and with road-legal Pirelli P Zero Trofeo tyres. The springs and dampers were adjusted to minimise any potential damage when the car encountered various bumps and jumps at high speed along the course.

The TT organisers gave Higgins just one lap to conduct his record attempt and there was no opportunity to carry out and practice runs. Higgins Comments  “Setting the record was both the most exhilarating and the most frightening thing I have ever done, The rules allow for a flying start, so I crossed the line at 125mph.  I then went down through the Bray Hill junction – normally taken at around 20mph – at over 150mph.  Once that tricky section was out of the way I settled into the lap and quickly got used to the balance and sheer pace of the car”.

The WRX STi is currently available from all Subaru dealers with free satellite navigation and a free power upgrade of 320PS.