EXCLUSIVE: 2008 Mazda Tribute pics leaked
click on image to enlarge
Loose lips sink ships, and we discovered that Mazda's got a hole in its boat big enough to drive the next generation Tribute through without being caught. Mazda shouldn't feel bad about these leaked photos and computer renderings of the 2008 Tribute and its interior (follow the jump for those), especially considering the Mercury Mariner has already been unveiled and Ford's done a terrible job so far of keeping the next Escape under wraps. So what do we have here? Pretty much what you'd expect, a virtually identical version of the Escape save for the grille, headlights, taillights, front and rear bumpers and side skirts. Unfortunately it's your basic badge engineering job on a vehicle that doesn't even need to exist in Mazda's lineup. This is the brand that's supposed to be sporty (Zoom Zoom, anyone?), so why does it need a boxy, unathletic SUV that looks like the least soulful of the three versions that will be sold to the public? It's place in the world is even more suspect when you consider that the very well-received CX-7 is a swoopy, athletic CUV with the sould of a sport compact. Common sense tells us that this next-gen Tribute probably cost next to nothing for Mazda to develop since Ford was picking up the tab on the Escape and Mariner. In our eyes, however, there are other costs involved with offering a discordant model in your lineup than the kind emblazoned with dead presidents.
Follow the jump for a rear 3/4 shot of the 2008 Tribute, along with computer renderings of the interior.
Thanks to anonymous for the tip!
PHOTO GALLERY:
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
fiamenz 10:50AM (5/05/2008)
I really like it...matter of fact I bought one three wks ago and love it...got the i sport 5speed, for the money its hard to beat especially since I didnt care about the "zoom zoom" factor...even has abs..traction control..rollover control...full power and a great sounding standard stereo...add 28 miles to the gallon, more airbags than you can shake a stick, quiet comfortable ride and lots of usable room...I wanted an american made vehicle but didnt like the looks of the ford escape...best part...$17k out the door :)
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Talis 3:49PM (11/06/2006)
Once again, there is little (if any) difference between any of these suv's. Ford should really start trying differenct designs for each of its brands.
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sp 3:57PM (11/06/2006)
is this going to be an fleet car? Doesnt make any sense to me...
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Kowell 3:51PM (11/06/2006)
Another one jumping out of the COMPACT SUV segment
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A Gupta 3:53PM (11/06/2006)
I wonder if this was the hole that caused that ship (the Cougar Ace) carrying a bunch of Mazdas to sink...
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Robert Brodrecht 4:19PM (11/06/2006)
I think this and the Mazda truck are going to be the two non-Mazda looking vehicles in their lineup. I understand the truck. I don't really know why Mazda bothers with the Tribute when the CX-9 is on the way. What role does this fill for Mazda, other than acting as a wart?
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carmaniac 4:01PM (11/06/2006)
Anyone notice the last shot of the dashboard is the hybrid!? That's probably why Mazda decided to keep the Tribute.
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Max 4:01PM (11/06/2006)
On the current generation, the Tribute definetly looks better than the Escape. This time around, it looks like Ford did the better job in restyling the SUV.
Bland doesn't even begin to describe the exterior.
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number40one 4:04PM (11/06/2006)
Looks just like the current (ugly) Escape.
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Tre' 4:08PM (11/06/2006)
Correct me if i'm wrong, but isn't the 2008 Tribute suppose to be sold in Thailand only?
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TargetFaux 4:08PM (11/06/2006)
well this looks like something straight out of dodge or chryslers lineup.. front end has headlights similer to that of the new durango and the rear end looks very much like the aspen.. to bad. i like the newer mazdas.. not this.
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fordman 4:08PM (11/06/2006)
why the hell are those cupholders so high up???
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johnny 4:11PM (11/06/2006)
interior seems to have cheap plastics although i cant be sure.
Those middle cupholders are a joke. If they are for the front occupants, then they are too high and to far back. If they are for the back occupants, then too much of a reach. Only person that it works for is the rear middle seat. And two cups for that person?
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Dave T 4:14PM (11/06/2006)
I'd expect it to be only a hybrid model.
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davegunderson 4:16PM (11/06/2006)
This is Ford not Mazda making decisions here. Mazda is well designed and well made.
I can totally see Ford's fingerprints all over this car.
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AKI 4:23PM (11/06/2006)
Mazda has CX7 and CX9.
This is pointless and very inferior to those two.
Axe the tribute and instead let ford have the Escape.
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Ryan 4:24PM (11/06/2006)
Those cupholders do look strange. Not even the F-150 has a center console that big or that high.
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Jason 5:48PM (11/06/2006)
Bland indeed. But I think it will sell, as it will appeal to the non-enthusiast who wants a small SUV for no other reason other then for transportation.
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John Neff 4:30PM (11/06/2006)
Good catch on noticing the gauges are from the hybrid model. We've gotten confirmed reports of the hybrid model running around Detroit, and while it would be ballsy if that were the only Tribute model offered (re #12), I doubt that's Mazda's intention. It would take them little effort to offer a range of powertrains from the Escape/Mariner and I expect that's what they'll do.
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CJ 4:30PM (11/06/2006)
It is kind of weird they are keeping in the line. But it is a nice option, bigger than the 5 and smaller than the CX-7 (which is actually pretty long). They did a pook job on the nose that's for sure. The current tibute was actually a sportier ride than the Escape, so it did make sense in the Mazda lineup. Now it doesn't have any of the agressive looks... maybe this is the model for Mexico....
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