Motor Image Pilipinas outlined its 2018 plans which includes the introduction of new vehicles and safety technologies. After a banner 2017 with more than 3,200 vehicles sold (including a 200-percent sales increase for the Subaru XV), the exclusive distributor of Subaru vehicles in the country has announced the Philippine arrival of Subaru EyeSight along with the refreshed Legacy and Outback, all-new Forester, and the Levorg 2.0 DIT.

Chronologically, the first to arrive is Subaru EyeSight. The newest and latest driver assistive technology from Subaru, EyeSight uses stereoscopic cameras to continuously scan the road ahead for unanticipated dangers. It integrates technologies such as adaptive cruise control, lane assist and sway warning, pre-collision braking, and pre-collision throttle management. When equipped with this system, Subaru vehicles earn the highest possible safety rating from global organizations including the most stringent one: the US-based Insurance Institute for Highway Safety or IIHS.

The Subaru EyeSight system will roll out first with the refreshed 2018 Legacy and Outback followed then by the 2018 Subaru XV, and then the all-new Forester.

On the subject of new vehicle offerings, Motor Image Pilipinas will roll out the refreshed Legacy and Outback by the first quarter of 2018 (the tentative launch date is at the Manila International Auto Show or MIAS).

Along with Subaru EyeSight, the 2018 Legacy and Outback boasts of significant upgrades to comfort, safety, and multimedia capability. Both of these executive models receive enhanced aesthetics and more luxurious trimming. Their drivability has been upgraded thanks to thanks to retuned dampers, brakes, and electric power steering system along with better comfort through thicker sound insulation and the use of a short-pitch chain for the Lineartronic CVT.

A Subaru XV enhanced with the Subaru EyeSight system will complete Motor Image Pilipinas’s offering at MIAS.

Towards the latter part of 2018, Motor Image Pilipinas will hold the regional launch of the much-anticipated all-new 2019 Subaru Forester.

Not much is known about this all-new compact crossover, but it’s been confirmed that it’ll make a migration to the Subaru Global Platform which should see improved NVH isolation and better handling. It’s also expected to be roomier than the current model.

In terms of powertrain options, it’s a safe assumption that it’ll share the normally-aspirated direct-injected FB20 in the Subaru XV and Impreza. It should make 156 horsepower and 196 Nm of torque. Probably the biggest shocker is Subaru’s decision to drop the 2.0 turbocharged FA20DIT engine for 2019. Whether that will be replaced by the 175-horsepower 2.5-liter normally-aspirated FB25 remains to be seen.

While the Forester XT will surely be missed for being a quick grocery getter, Motor Image Pilipinas is looking to fill in that gap with the Levorg 2.0 DIT. Expected to arrive at the same time as the all-new Forester (second half of 2018), the Levorg 2.0 DIT will finally transform into the WRX wagon everyone’s been wishing for.

Being the spiritual successor to the Legacy 2.5 GT Wagon, the Levorg 2.0 DIT shares its engine with the WRX. It develops 265 horsepower and 350 Nm of torque which will rocket this wagon to 100 km/h in just 6.6 seconds. Along with the new engine, it’s going to gain a refresh with sees a massaged exterior and the addition of more features.