Falken gains OE fitment on 2019 Subaru Forester

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif. — Subura Corp. has selected the Falken ZIEX ZE001 all-season tire as an original equipment fitment on its redesigned 2019 Forester SUV.

The ZIEX ZE001 tire, size P225/55R18 - 98H, will be manufactured at Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd.'s (SRI) plant in Rayong, Thailand, and shipped to Subaru's factory in Japan where the Forester is built.

The fifth-generation compact SUV, which has been redesigned externally and internally, will be released in North America this fall.

This is the third Falken OE fitment with Subaru in the past 11 months. The others are:

• Ziex ZE001 all-season as the exclusive OE fitment on the 2019 Ascent SUV;

• Ziex ZE001 A/S on the Limited edition of the redesigned 2018 Crosstrek.

"Subaru continues its consecutive months of 40,000-plus vehicle sales, and as an original equipment partner, Falken is intent on helping build upon that record," David Colletti, Falken's vice president, original equipment, said.

The 2019 Forester offers increased passenger and cargo room along with an updated 2.5-liter, flat-four boxer engine, paired with Lineartronic continuously variable transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive.

The model features the company's Starlink multimedia system, along with a new Sport model.

The ZIEX ZE001 A/S features four circumferential grooves that Falken said evacuate water and enhance hydroplane resistance and stability in wet conditions. The chamfered tread block corners promote even wear, and a solid center rib enhances handling response, according to Falken.