Interview With Irish Subaru Driver's Club (ISDC)
In my latest interview series, I'm travelling the globe (virtually!) to gather different perspectives on automotive. Today we are in Ireland to catch up with the Irish Subaru Driver's Club (ISDC).
Car clubs have been popular for decades, bringing together groups of car enthusiasts who share a passion for the same car or brand. In recent years, many of these car clubs have grown exponentially online, building their own dedicated online car communities who can stay in touch digitally and share tips and stories on their own cars and projects. These car communities also meet in real life, to share their passion and add some colour and horsepower to our lives if you might be lucky enough to come across one on a Sunday afternoon.
I grew up in the 1990s just as Colin McRae was skidding around a Welsh forest in the iconic Subaru Impreza '555'. The pages of my favourite motoring magazines were filled with the Subaru's classic blue and gold livery, while journalists gushed about the latest Impreza Turbo. Subaru was an exciting brand to follow at this time with a series of high performance, road-going Imprezas built in this era.
And if you come across the ISDC, you're bound to meet them all over again! I spoke to Joe Cahill, Chairman at the ISDC about the club and members' passion for the Japanese car brand.
Can you introduce yourself and the club to our readers?
My name is Joe Cahill, from County Kilkenny. I am part of a committee of volunteer members, that manage the core aspects of the Irish Subaru Driver's Club (ISDC). The club is a non-profit making organisation, run by Subaru enthusiasts. The aim of the ISDC is to share, through its members, the knowledge and experience of Subaru ownership.
Why Subaru?
It is a very expansive question and the beauty of it is, there are so many reasons to love a Subaru. Perhaps the moment that caught my attention was the ‘Group A Subaru Legacy RS’ in the 1990 season, developed by Prodrive. Watching drivers like Bertie Fisher R.I.P. and of course Colin McRae winning the World Rally Championship in 1995. Iconic moments like this perhaps got me hooked on Subarus and fascinated by their relentless AWD grip.
It may sound strange to say, being part of the ‘Subaru World’ you somehow feel connected with other Subaru drivers that you may not have even met or spoken to. It is not unusual for two Subarus to meet on the road and both acknowledge one another. To understand that feeling and the connection with Subaru, you need to own one, drive it and experience it.
Subarus have tremendous pedigree ticking so many boxes for a car owner. A Subaru's styling and stance is simply beautiful and eye catching. Subaru blue with gold alloys is iconic from the rally days. They tick so many boxes, the grip and safety of All-Wheel Drive (AWD) in wet and dangerous conditions, the rumble of the Boxer Engine puts a smile on your face every time. The overall ability and performance of a Subaru is formidable. They are equally accustomed to mountain roads, tight twisty country roads, tracks and the practicality of five seats and a big boot for shopping. A well-maintained Subaru could last forever.
Why was the ISDC set up?
The Irish Subaru Driver’s Club was established in 1999 by a small group of Subaru enthusiasts and was combined with an Irish web-based forum in 2000. Together, the aim was, and still is, to share knowledge and experience of Subaru ownership so that owners can fully appreciate and enjoy the Subaru driving experience. Since 1999, the club has grown into one of the best car clubs in the country, creating a very close knit community throughout the club. The Forum has enabled users from all areas of the country to be a part of the club and experience everything the club has to offer.
Over the years, the ISDC has supported many charities to try and give as much back to the community as possible, including Barretstown, Crumlin Children’s Hospital, Temple Street Children’s Hospital, Irish Autism Association, ISPCA and more.
The majority of activities and discussion takes place on our Forum and we encourage everyone from current owners to potential buyers to sign up so that they can meet like-minded people and learn as much as possible about their Subaru. A core object is that all members of the ISDC will find the club a friendly, knowledgeable and approachable place where they can express and share their views and knowledge and enjoy the experience for both themselves and their families.
How many members do you have?
Currently 103 paid members (annual membership is €50, check website for all membership bonuses). We have male and female members, from the ages of 18 to 60.
Which Subaru models are represented by your members?
The club has a wide variety models from early 1990s, right up to the present day - the Subaru Legacy, Impreza and Forester. Within these models, there are series of different types, like a Classic, WRX, STI, S203, S204, S401, 22B, T25 Litchfield, RS Turbos, RB320, WR1 etc etc.. the list goes on. Perhaps the most popular is the Impreza.
What sort of events do you hold throughout the year?
Under normal circumstances, members have the opportunity to attend many events throughout each year including night meets (3-4 per year), organised drives (Wicklow, Wexford, Kerry, Galway, Limerick etc), car meets (Cars n Coffee Dundalk/Bray/Tullamore/Limerick), track days, Nurburgring Trip (every 2 years), Barrettstown, Gowran Festival of Speed, Terenure Classic Car Show, Irish Motor Festival, Runway club, Rolling Road Day, Rallyschool Ireland and other activities like paintballing and go-karting.
What’s the value in being part of an owner’s club?
The immediate connection with other like-minded Subaru owners, to give and receive advice on all matters regarding repairs, parts, tips and tricks. The forum has a wealth of knowledge and the members and users on the site are willing to help and share information with eachother. I would urge any Subaru owner to join and become part of a friendly, helpful and fun club.
How do you feel about the position of the Subaru brand now?
The new range of Subarus including the Outback and Forester are top quality with modern technology as good as any of the top brands.
How do see the future for Subaru enthusiasts, owners' clubs and car enthusiasts in general?
We really hope to keep enough numbers up in the coming years and to attract new, younger owners, which we have successfully done in recent years.
How can our readers keep up to date with the club?
Thanks to Joe for taking part in this interview and giving us such a valuable insight into the influence of the Subaru brand!
Subaru Forester e-Boxer Review
Caroline drives the 2020 Subaru Forester e-BOXER.
Subaru has long been a 4x4 specialist and purveyor of BOXER engine technology that saw the brand become 1990's heroes of rallying with the infamous Impreza Turbo. The glory days of Subaru in motorsport are long gone now. But the brand has been quietly producing some more sedate, serious crossovers and SUVs since then. The Subaru Forester is probably the one with the greatest following in Ireland, with a reputation for being safe, capable and reliable.
Now Subaru is introducing hybrid powertrains into their Forester and XV range for the first time. The fifth generation Subaru Forester will be sold exclusively as a hybrid ('e-BOXER'). It's priced from €45,545 in Ireland for the entry XE model, rising to €49,245 for the XE Premium.
What's new for the Subaru Forester?
The new Forester e-BOXER sits on the new Subaru Global Platform and combines an electric motor with two of Subaru's core technologies, the horizontally-opposed 2.0-litre BOXER petrol engine and Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. Styling has evolved rather than taken any dramatic twist. The Forester is quite plain in appearance with a robust look more in tune with the brand’s 4x4 roots.
Inside there is a new interior with a more modernised dashboard design. The built and quality is excellent throughout. There is an 8" touchscreen with Apple Car Play and Android Auto, which means you can bypass the native system's quite old-fashioned graphics. A second screen above, inset in the dashboard, displays more information to the driver on ventilation, the hybrid system and efficiency.
The XE model is equipped with LED headlights, keyless entry, and electrically adjustable driver’s seat. While the XE Premium model includes 18” alloys, sunroof, leather seats, satellite navigation, power tailgate, heated rear seats and heated steering wheel.
Forester features some very advanced safety technology as standard including Rear Vehicle Detection, Reverse Automatic Braking, and Driver Monitoring System. For example, the Driver Monitoring System uses a camera and facial recognition technology to monitor the driver's gaze and gives audible and visual warning to the driver to pay attention to the road! Subaru's emphasis on safety has seen the Forester recently named best in class for safety performance by Euro NCAP.
How practical is the Forester e-BOXER?
The new model is 20 mm wider and 30 mm longer than the car it replaces, improving passenger comfort. There is more elbow room and a longer wheelbase means more legroom for rear seat passengers. The rear bench is wide and comfortable. Its slightly raised position means there is a great view out for all passengers. The boot opens to reveal 520 litres with a plastic floor that’s easy to clean - ideal for outdoor adventures! An electric tailgate for extra convenience is standard on XE Premium.
The Forester has four wheel drive as standard with two off-road driving modes accessible from a dial on the centre console. 'Snow/Dirt' for use on slippery road surfaces such as snow or gravel and 'Deep Snow/Mud' for surfaces where the tyres can become buried, such as deep snow and dry dirt. There's 220 mm of ground clearance and the Forester e-BOXER’s towing capacity is 1,870 kg.
Driving the new Forester e-BOXER
This 2.0-litre petrol engine features mild hybrid technology for the first time. Support from an electric motor has been tasked with the job of improving the Forester's fuel efficiency. The Forester's performance figures are not particularly outstanding with 150 hp and 196 Nm of torque. But on the road this doesn't translate to any great disadvantage. In fact the nature of the CVT gearbox means that gentle progress on the accelerator is rewarded more than any grand showings of aggressive accelerator use.
There are three driving modes with varying levels of support from the battery. At very low speeds, the Forester can be powered by the electric motor alone for example in stop-and-go traffic, where Subaru say a 10% improvement in fuel economy can be seen compared to the outgoing 2.0-litre variant. At medium speeds, the motor and engine work together to improve power and performance. At higher speeds, Forester e-BOXER is driven solely by the petrol engine.
The new hybrid technology is arranged in a symmetrical layout. The electric motor assist and battery pack aligned longitudinally with the heavy motor placed near the vehicle's centre of gravity. The battery and other components are positioned above the rear axle.
Subaru is well-known for its off-road ability but probably less associated with ride quality. So I was really surprised to discover that the new Subaru Forester e-BOXER rides exceptionally well. I did lots of motorway and rural road driving and the Forester was very comfortable in these situations. It handles the road confidently, feeling flat and balanced through corners. While the engine responded willingly.
The Forester favours a less frantic driving style to manage revs from the CVT and promote better fuel efficiency. Over a week of driving my average fuel consumption was 8.2 l/100km. This was disappointing considering the promise of a more efficient Forester. The Forester has a tendency to hold onto revs, which doesn't do itself any favours when it comes to using less fuel.
To summarise the Forester
The careful arrangement of the paraphernalia for the hybrid system and balancing of the weight distribution means that you have a very natural feeling car. It rides and handles exceptionally well.
Forester's strong 4x4 roots give the driver real confidence off-road. While this is by no means a cheap vehicle, Subaru has thrown enough gear and leather at the Forester to pitch it as a more premium SUV.
But it's not a car for show-offs because style is not really part of the Forester's vocabulary. There is a lot of anonymity in this design. Depending on your point of view that's a good or bad thing.
The new Forester e-BOXER is an interesting evolution for the Subaru brand. The brand's perpetuation of the BOXER engine technology translates to one of the most unique behaving cars on the road. Subaru has given the Forester a gentle nudge in the right direction as the global car industry responds to ever tightening emission controls.
Caroline Kidd
Model tested: Subaru Forester 2.0i e-BOXER XE Premium Lineartronic
Price: €49,245
Engine: 2.0-litre petrol engine + 2 electric motors
Power: 150 hp
Torque: 196 Nm
0-100km/h: 11.8 seconds
Top speed: 117 km/h
Fuel consumption (WLTP): 8.1/100km
Motor tax: €390 per year
Subaru XV Crossover On Sale
Subaru Ireland has released details of the new Subaru XV Crossover and the all-new Forester e-BOXER hybrids, which will arrive in Ireland before the end of 2019.
Both cars will use a 2.0-litre petrol-electric powertrain. From standstill, or at low speed, the electric motor alone powers the vehicle. Depending on the vehicle and battery condition, it can drive on EV-Mode for distances ranging up to about 1.6km, and reach speeds up to 40km/h.
At medium speeds, power from both the motor and the engine combine to give a responsive, linear and fuel-efficient acceleration, while at high-speed the 2.0-litre direct-injection BOXER engine powers the vehicle while recharging the battery.
The new generation of the Subaru Forester is the most technologically advanced Subaru yet, equipped with a host of new Advanced Safety technologies including EyeSight Driver Assist Technology, Driver Monitoring System and Reverse Automatic Braking.
The new Forester features a spacious passenger cabin and a versatile cargo compartment thanks to the compact battery that minimizes spatial impact. The width is increased by 20mm over the previous model providing more front seat comfort. The wheelbase was stretched 30 mm, as a result, the distance between the front and the rear seat passenger was extended by 33mm for improved rear seat comfort. There are 220 millimeters of ground clearance and wide approach and departure angles for off-road driving. The X-Mode is now available with dual functions, suited for a variety of weather and road conditions and the new Forester has a towing capacity of 1870kg.
The new Subaru Forester is priced at €44,495 for the SE model and comes with LED Headlights, Keyless access, electrically adjustable driver seat, Driver monitoring system, EyeSight and X-Mode 2. The SE Premium edition is priced at €48,195 and includes 18” alloys, Sunroof, Leather seats, Satellite Navigation, Power tailgate, heated rear seats and heated steering wheel.
The new Subaru XV Crossover is built on the all-new Subaru Global Platform and just like the Forester, the XV Crossover is powered by a direct-injection 2.0-litre horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine and paired with an electric motor within the customized lineartronic transmission. The Subaru XV Crossover e-BOXER comes as standard with a suite of driver-assist and safety features, such as EyeSight driver assist and Rear Vehicle Detection. It has a compact body with 220mm ground clearance, underpinned by Subaru’s original Symmetrical AWD System, Active Torque Vectoring, and an improved X-Mode system for off road.
The Subaru XV Crossover is priced at €38,495 for the SE model which includes LED headlights, 17” alloys, electrically adjustable and heated driver seat, EyeSight, Keyless access and Dual zone air-conditioning. For €41,495 the SE Premium version offers upgrades such as a Sunroof, Satellite Navigation and Driver seat electrical adjustments.
This e-BOXER announcement follows news that Toyota and Subaru will jointly develop a BEV-dedicated platform as early as next year, marking the next stage of the Subaru electrification strategy. The two companies will apply Subaru’s all-wheel drive and Toyota’s vehicle electrification technologies to jointly develop a C-segment SUV.
Order books are now open for both models with first vehicles set to arrive in Ireland this November.
Subaru Outback Specification And Pricing For Ireland
Subaru Ireland is introducing a revamped 2018 2.5i Subaru Outback Lineartronic in time for the new 182 registration in July.
Pricing for the new model remains unchanged from the current diesel Outback, though the new car has some styling revisions and updated features. The 2018 Subaru Outback will start from €46,995 for the entry level SE Model and €49,995 for the SE Premium.
SE models are equipped as standard with Eyesight, adaptive cruise control, hi-beam assist, Subaru rear vehicle rear detection, automatic LED headlamps and headlamp washers, 17-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats, keyless entry and push-button start, and privacy glass, as well as an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, incorporating audio, smartphone connectivity and rear, front and side view parking cameras. The system also incorporates Subaru STARLINK and is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible.
SE Premium models add leather seats in a choice of ivory or black, 18-inch alloy wheels, sunroof, power tailgate, 8-way power adjustable driver’s seat with memory function and lumbar support and electrically-adjustable passenger seat.
What's new for the 2018 Subaru Outback?
The front grille, bumper, door mirrors and headlights have been redesigned.
There is a new front view camera, which can monitor a 180°-degree area in front of the car that would normally be in the driver’s blind spot. These images, as well as visible guidelines, are displayed on the touchscreen to aide drivers in gauging potential hazards in front of the car and improve overall manoeuvring.
The 2018 Outback SUV is fitted with an additional side view camera mounted at the base of the passenger door mirror. Displaying the area diagonally in front of the passenger side of the Outback, the resulting imaging allows drivers to navigate through narrow spaces with greater ease. A “view” switch has also been positioned next to the X-Mode button allowing the driver to move between display options on the centre touchscreen.
Lane Keep Assist has also been added for 2018.
Steering Responsive Headlights are also new to Outback, improving driver safety and increasing visibility at night. The headlight beams mirror the driver’s steering input to illuminate corners when turning.
Inside there are new decorative gloss black panels and silver surrounds, whilst the touchscreen size has been increased from 7” to a new 8” multifunction colour touchscreen for the SE Premium model, which is also compatible with both Apple CarPlay™ & Android Auto™ and DAB radio functionality.
The Outback is powered by a naturally-aspirated 2.5-litre petrol unit with 175PS and 235Nm torque.
Subaru And Castle Garage Bray Sponsor Monkstown Hockey Club
Subaru Ireland and Castle Garage in Bray, Co. Wicklow have announced their sponsorship of Monkstown Hockey Club U-16s. As part of the sponsorship, the teams will receive new kit, a welcome boost for the rising stars of the well-known and very successful South Dublin hockey club.
Castle Garage was set up in 1955 and is a family-owned Subaru dealership in Bray, serving customers in South Dublin and Wicklow. With nearly 30 years’ service as the Subaru Main Dealer for South Dublin and Wicklow, Castle Garage is the longest serving Subaru Dealer in Ireland.
Derek Bradshaw, Dealer Principal of Castle Garage, commented: “We are delighted to get involved with Monkstown Hockey Club in sponsoring their U16 teams. This is a great initiative that allows us to get our name out there and support one of our local sports teams. These are a great bunch of kids and the bright young stars of local sports so we hope the support and new gear will bring as much of a boost to the teams as it will to Castle Garage.”
Trevor Watkins, President of Monkstown Hockey Club, added: “Monkstown Hockey Club are delighted to welcome Subaru & Castle Garage on board as sponsor of the U-16 section of our club. The club, teams, mentors and parents are delighted with this new partnership.”
Subaru Levorg Arrives In Ireland
The all-new Subaru Levorg will have a list price in Ireland of €44,995.
The new Levorg is dubbed a “sport tourer” and is the natural successor to the Subaru Legacy Tourer.
The car will be available in a single GT trim with a high level of specification and Subaru’s iconic All-Wheel Drive (AWD) as standard. There is just one engine available for new Levorg, a new 1.6-litre Boxer turbo petrol engine producing 170PS and 250Nm torque. Using a CVT automatic gearbox, the Levorg will hit 100kmh from a standstill in 8.9 seconds, while returning fuel consumption of 7.1 litres/100km (almost 40mpg). Emissions of 164g CO2 put the Levorg in tax band D with annual motor tax of €570.
The Levorg is smaller on the outside when compared to the last Legacy Tourer, however Subaru say it’s even more spacious and practical. The boot has a capacity of 522 litres, expanding to 1,446 litres with the second row of seats folded down.
Standard equipment includes leather-trimmed sports seats with blue stitching, 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment, connectivity and navigation system, LED headlamps, auto lights and wipers, front and rear fog lamps, metallic paint, 18-inch dark grey alloy wheels, privacy glass and roof spoiler, keyless access and push-button start, bespoke leather heated sports seats in the front, 60/40 split-folding and reclining rear seats, two 12-volt power outlets, four USB ports (two in the front, two in the rear), dual-zone air-conditioning and rear parking camera.
Levorg is equipped as standard with safety technology including Blind Spot Detection (alerts drivers to cars sitting in their blind spot), Lane Change Assist (warns drivers of fast-approaching vehicles behind when the driver indicates to change lane), and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (detects vehicles passing behind when reversing out of a parking space). The car also features SI Drive (Subaru Intelligent Drive) which allows the driver, via a button on the steering wheel, to choose either Intelligent mode or Sport mode.
For better handling, the Levorg has Active Torque Vectoring (ATV), which effectively brakes the inside wheels under cornering and apportions greater torque to the outside of the car, reducing understeer and oversteer to allow a more predictable and controlled course through corners.
The all-new Subaru Levorg goes on sale in Ireland this month.
Caroline Kidd