SUBARU | Safety | Active Safety

Symmetrical AWD refers to Subaru’s proprietary all-wheel drive system that laid out symmetrical around the centre propellershaft. The result is excellent weight balance and even load distribution over each wheel, capable of delivering drive power efficiently to all four tyres. The transmission system, which is traditionally one of the heaviest components of a car, is positioned near the car’s centre of gravity in the Symmetrical AWD system. Another key feature is the lightweight and compact Horizontally-Opposed Engine. This design minimises moments of inertia, requiring less energy to turn and stop the car. The overall package gives rise to agility, and zippy handling that is considered to be close to ideal. These exciting qualities prove themselves over and over again when driving at high speeds, wet roads, snowy roads, and almost any other conceivable situation. This is the chief reason why Subaru stands committed behind the concept of its proprietary “Symmetrical AWD” system.

Subaru suspension systems are a showcase of driving philosophies. The front suspension features a longer stroke design to allow the car to better follow contours in the road surface. This provides better driving stability and outstanding steering response. The next-generation rear suspension keeps tyres firmly perpendicular against the road surface, and absorbs shocks in a steady manner. Both front and rear suspension systems support each other for safe, reliable drivability and supreme ride comfort.

Subaru’s high-rigidity body is renowned for its collision safety. Yet it also presents another major advantage – its high level of rigidity. While cars require a tightly tuned suspension system, excellent performing engine, transmission and other major mechanical components to drive exactly as the driver intends, a rigid body is perhaps the most important factor that is regularly overlooked. Car bodies with insufficient rigidity suffer from shaking throughout the frame when driving over gaps or cornering, resulting in unpredictable, unreliable behaviour. SUBARU uses bodies built with the new Ring-Shaped Reinforcement Frames concept for a high level of body rigidity. Giving the driver faithful response and reliable drivability is one approach that SUBARU believes is linked directly to safe driving.

Vehicle Dynamics Control is an electronic device that prevents the car from skidding when it experiences a loss in stability by constantly monitoring driving conditions from the steering angle, engine speed, gear selection and the brake position. It controls the brakes at each corner if the car starts behaving erratically, and is effective when the car is about to slip slideways when cornering.

Traction Control maintains constant acceleration and is most noticeable on slippery roads. A computer constantly checks whether the tyres are in contact with the road, and applies the brakes if one tyre is spinning to limit engine output and regain traction. Traction Control is most effective on slippery roads, especially when it is raining or snowing.

Braking performance is directly related to a car’s safety and risk aversion capabilities. The combination of ABS and EBD delivers precise brake lock control and distribution of braking pressure, particular on slippery roads on snowy or rainy days, which increases overall braking performance and maintains a high level of risk avoidance. Other functions that assist the driver include Brake Assist, which raises brake pressure in situations where sudden braking is required, and Brake Override, which applies the brakes if the driver accidentally presses the brake and accelerator pedals at the same time. The key focus for SUBARU is peace of mind, and to achieve this, the brakes have been designed to respond quickly when applying them on almost any type of road.

ABS constantly monitors the movement of the tyres, and reduces brake pressure as soon as a lock-up is detected. The system constantly repeats this process to provide ample braking power even on slipper roads, and allowing the driver to steer the car. Electric Brake-force Distribution is a system that distributes braking power at an optimum rate between the front and rear wheels to suit driving conditions. The front and rear wheels rotate at a different rate depending on how the car is driven and its weight. The system detects these changes, and distributes braking power to certain wheels to suit driving conditions for more reliable braking. The combination of ABS and Electric Brake-force Distribution assists the driver in avoiding dangerous conditions, and increases braking power on slippery road surfaces.