Mazda shows Tribute rewrite in Melbourne
Mazda Australia is gettting a revamped Tribute SUV. Freshly unveiled at the Melbourne International Motor Show, the revised-for-2007 is set to go on sale later this year.
As seen here, the rather conservatively restyled front end is all-new, incorporating new clear-lens headlamps, revised grillwork with larger Mazda emblem and more prominent chrome edging, along with a fresh hood and bumper cap. New wheels, side mirrors (with turn signal repeaters), and the promise of tighter panel gaps are all welcome additions.
(More details and photographs available after the jump... be sure to click on each photo for high-resolution images!)
Perhaps the biggest change is inside, where the dashboard and interior materials have received a thorough going-over. In the main, the gearshift selector has rappelled down from the steering column and taken up residence in the center console (as is already the case in North America). Seen here in piano black trim, the center stack has been rationalized, resulting in better integration of stereo and HVAC controls, and the current Trib's decidedly downmarket polymers have given way to higher-caliber plastics. Gauge faces have changed, though the basic binnacle (and dashboard form itself) appears unchanged. In addition, the door cards are new, and though the sporty three-spoke wheel may look unfamiliar to U.S. Tribute owners, it is in fact a carryover piece for the AU market. In the back middle seat, those losing rock-paper-scissors can at least take solace in a new 3-point lap belt and headrest (a feature already on U.S.-spec Tributes).
Under the skin, both the 2.3-liter four and 3.0-liter six are now Euro III emissions compliant, and changes to the six-pot are being credited with a 10.6-percent fuel economy increase. In the braking department, rear drums have been tossed in favor of discs, and the existing front hardware has been upsized as well. Mazda is also claiming suspension improvements, though specific improvements elude.
It is as yet unclear whether U.S. Tributes will receive similar updates, but they would certainly help the aging trucklet in America's rapidly-evolving small SUV market.
[Source: Mazda AU and Global Automotive Index]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Swade 7:56AM (2/12/2006)
This is not the greatest truck in the world....This is just a Tribute.
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Roy 9:18AM (2/12/2006)
Now we know what Pontiac did with the Azteks cladding. Beautiful! (Not) And a grey interior-how unusual(not)
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Steve B. 10:31AM (2/12/2006)
A few posts back I opined that the Chevy Tahoe's interior looked like a late 90's CR-V. Just one look at this should show you just have far GM still has to go on its interiors (remember, this is a Ford owned company we're dealing with here.)
Compare the beautifully executed design in the Mazda pictures above to these:
http://autosupermart.com/auto/images/news/2004chevyequinox7.jpg
http://us.autos1.yimg.com/img.autos.yahoo.com/ag/chevrolet_trailblazer_ls2wd_2005_dashboard_10_346x270.jpg
http://us.autos1.yimg.com/img.autos.yahoo.com/ag/saturn_vue_awd4_2005_interior_19_346x270.jpg
The images speak for themselves! While the Tahoe shows them finally on the right track, they are still trailing the competition by a fairly wide margin.
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John 10:46AM (2/12/2006)
IMO, the Tribute is as "anti-zoom-zoom" as you can get. It's purposely defeating the Mazda brand image, and this pile of crap needs to vanish out of American dealer lots ASAP. Of course, since customers here don't buy the Tribute, it may be difficult to get rid of it easily ;)
Anyway, Mazda has a Hybrid Tribute on display at the Chicago Auto Show. I wonder if their marketing people realize that the Hybrid Escape got excessive media-play 2 years ago.... it's far too late to do some coat-tail public relations now. Also, the hybrid's eco-friendly attributes don't mesh with the zoom-zoom image either.
Australians still buy crazy sport Utes (they're like truck/car things) - so I think they may appreciate the Mazda Tribute more than people in North America.... but ugh - this is Mazda's weakest effort by far.
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David 5:01PM (2/12/2006)
Looks better than the Escape, IMO.
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Sully 5:32PM (2/12/2006)
"Anyway, Mazda has a Hybrid Tribute on display at the Chicago Auto Show"
Funny thing is that vehicle (I just saw it today) is an Escape Hybrid with a different bumper... The Fenders, Headlights, hatch, tail-lights, and interior are the Escape version (Which are different on the real Tribute)
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Jeff Crew 11:52PM (2/12/2006)
Good job Sully, you figured it out. The Tribute has always been an Escape cross dressing as a Mazda. You deserve a cookie.
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Felix 12:16AM (2/13/2006)
Brilliant people. It's well known the Tribute and the Escape (and the Mariner) are kissing cousins. Have you driven them tho? Compared to the Escape, the Tribute has tons of "zoom-zoom", the driving dynamics are very good for a truck. (yes, a truck, it is a truck ...not a manly truck mind you, but not a station wagon "crossover") I should know, I've owned one for quite a while... oh wait no ones buys them or the multiple others I accidentally walk to into the parking lots.
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ZipZapZop 12:16AM (2/13/2006)
Jeff: Actually, it's the other way around. The Escape is based on the Tribute, Ford redesigned the exterior of the car and beated the Mazda in sales, how ironic.
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Sully 12:04PM (2/13/2006)
"Good job Sully, you figured it out. The Tribute has always been an Escape cross dressing as a Mazda. You deserve a cookie"
Well, gee, that's brilliant. If you look at a Tribute and an Escape you will notice that while they share a platform, the body is actually very much different. The fenders, headlights, hatch, tail-lights, and interior are all unique on the Tribute compared to the Escape and Mariner (among other things). The "Tribute" Hybrid on display at the Autoshow has the Escape body, including the fenders, headlights, hatch, tail-lights, and interior. The only thing they changed is the steering wheel and the front bumper. Jeff Crew doesn't even deserve a cookie. Moron
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