Subaru Australia has announced a December debut for its EyeSight collision avoidance system, accompanying the arrival of the 2012 Liberty 3.6R Premium and Outback 3.6R Premium models.
Fitted as standard to the top-shelf Liberty and Outback models, the EyeSight system will be added to other models in the future.
“We have plans to roll it out on other models over the next couple of years and before the end of the decade it is likely to be standard across the range," Subaru Australia MD Nick Senior said.
“EyeSight has been a major success in Japan, where more than 50 per cent of Liberty models are now sold with the system.”
Senior's comments also suggest the technology will not feature in the all-new 2012 Impreza range when it arrives in the new year.
EyeSight brings Subaru into the advanced safety game, adding technologies pioneered by the likes of Volvo and Volkswagen.
Unlike the European options, Subaru's EyeSight does away with the need for a radar system, using only a stereo camera system mounted either side of the inside mirror.
“It makes for a compelling safety package, of which insurers will hopefully take note when it comes to premiums," Mr Senior said.
The system includes seven key functions:
- Pre-crash braking – applies the brakes when a vehicle ahead is detected slowing or stopping suddenly (and the driver has failed to apply the brakes).
- Pre-crash brake assist – if the system determines that a collision is highly likely and the driver applies the brakes, the system can generate 1G maximum deceleration to help reduce impact or damage.
- Progressive Start Control – if a driver accidentally applies full throttle close to a barrier or large object situated in front of the car (such as a car park wall or vehicle immediately ahead at close range), EyeSight inhibits the throttle opening, helping minimise or potentially avoid impact.
- Adaptive Cruise control – is designed to maintain a safe distance from the ‘target’ car in front irrespective of the varying speed of that vehicle.
- Lane Departure Warning - alerts the driver if the system determines that the car is drifting across clearly marked lanes.
- Vehicle Sway Warning - alerts the driver if the car starts to sway from one side of the road to another, which may occur with fatigue.
- Progressive Motion Monitor - when the EyeSight-equipped vehicle is stopped and the vehicle in front starts to move, the driver receives an audible reminder and information display indicator notifying them that the vehicle in front has moved.
This info and more can be found at: http://www.themotorreport.com.au
right off.
