Detroit Auto Show: 2008 Mazda Tribute Hybrid
by Alex Nunez on Jan 7th 2007 at 6:04AM 
Click the image above for a high-resolution photo gallery
Mazda's chosen Detroit to pull the cover off its all-new 2008 Tribute Hybrid SUV. The greenified version of the Japanese automaker's Ford Escape clone receives a unique front fascia, but once you get past that, if you've seen the new Escape, you've seen the Tribute. That's not a bad thing, because the butchier look adopted by the Escape is pretty easy on the eye, and in this case, it belies the eco-friendly powertrain the Tribute Hybrid sports under its skin.
The Tribute's 2.3-liter four cylinder uses Atkinson-cycle combustion and is good for 133 horsepower on its own. It's joined by a 70-kilowatt electric motor (equivalent to around 94 horsepower), which will power the car unassisted at speeds up to 25 mph. Above that, the ICE engages and teams with the electric motor to provide sprightly performance while garnering a super-clean AT-PZEV emissions rating. An electronic CVT ensures the optimal gear ratio is always in use, and hybrid features you'd expect to find, such as regenerative braking and a stop-start system, are put to use here.
Finally, the new Tribute Hybrid is available in two trim levels and with both two- and four-wheel-drive. AutoblogGreen has comprehensive analysis and info. Click the image above for a high-resolution photo gallery.
Check out all the debuts and galleries from the Detroit Auto Show here.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
ruggels 8:26AM (1/07/2007)
75% increase in city economy? up to 25 mph on just electric? Fantastic!
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Dave T. 10:58AM (1/07/2007)
ruggles
18 mpg is the city mpg in the past V6/awd tribute (I figured take the worst possible stat). Using that number I got 31 mpg. I still don't believe that but we'll see.
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Zane R. 7:37AM (1/08/2007)
why not make the CX-7 Hybrid? does Mazda really need three SUVs
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ruggels 11:06AM (1/07/2007)
Yeah the 75% isn't mine, it comes from the press release... which also seems to think 200hp is a number oft associated with V6 engines :)... best not tell them about the jetta or the GTI right :P.
"As a result, the Tribute HEV pushes out a combined 155-hp, with 0-60 times comparable to a 200-horsepower V-6 engine, while increasing city-driving fuel economy by nearly 75-percent"
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American Cars suck 2:46PM (1/07/2007)
Wow! So the Ford hybrid wasn't enough of a failed experiment so Ford decides to let Mazda rebadge it and see how much more money they can lose in that division!
Great thinking Ford/Mazda
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Carguy 11:29AM (1/07/2007)
That design looks so out of date that its almost retro. Why not save the money and produce a CX-7 hybrid?
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ruggels 12:33PM (1/07/2007)
Is the CX-7 based on the escape (already in hybrid form) as the tribute is? if not, i'd wager that's why
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Ben 3:24PM (1/07/2007)
Not to correct anyone here... but the Escape is actually a rebadged Mazda design, at least regarding the chasis. Both vehicles ride on a revised Mazda 626 platform, which Ford calls the CD2 platform. But I guess Mazda doesn't have much say over the styling as I'd much rather see the Tribute (which I had heard was supposed to become the CX-5) sport a more CX-7 style.
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That One Person 5:22PM (1/07/2007)
ruggels...the CX-7 and Escape have nothing in common. The CX-7 is based on a modified Mazda6 platform. The platform is shared also bu the CX-9, Edge and MKX...
#6...who says the Escape Hybrid was a failed experiment? Is it because they dont sell 200k of them a year? Plus, they will still continue to sell it.
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megalon 8:35PM (1/07/2007)
wow, ridgeline ugly.
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CJ 9:19AM (1/08/2007)
Good job Ford/Mazda... way to uglify the Tribute
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Michelle Haley 9:08PM (1/23/2007)
I LOVE the looks of the NEW 08 Tribute! I AM going to purchase it. I prefer it to the looks and the style of the CX-7. I prefer the name to be CX-5 to Tribute, wish they would have changed it for this 08 model.
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