New York Leakage: Subaru's new Tribeca revealed
One of our favorite marque-specific, indie buff books, SubieSport, let a couple images slip of Subaru's warmed over 2008 B9 Tribeca.Due to be shown on Wednesday at the New York Auto Show, the reworked SUV gets a new nose that's eerily reminiscent of Chrysler's Pacifica (with a little Touareg thrown in), dispatching the Edsel-like front grille that has caught the ire of several journos and consumers. The rear gets a mild tweaking as well, with a few more angles on the tail lamps and hatch.
As expected, a new 3.6L H6 finds its way underhood, developing 256 HP at 6,000 RPM (up from 250 HP) and 247 lb.-ft. of torque. Apparently, the five-speed autobox has also benefited from some additional engineering, with new programming that should make good use of the extra twist.
SubieSport's got all the technical details here, along with an a few pics.
Top tip, Jeffrey!
[Source: SubieSport]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
jeffrey 5:04AM (4/03/2007)
Every panel but the doors & roof has changed. Believe it or not, the new, larger 3.6 H6 engine has more HP, much more torque, weighs less, gets better gas mileage, and no longer recommends premium fuel. HP-to-weight ratio is very good, and rumor says simple ECU tuning will turn this engine into a bad boy. It no longer looks a Euro-sleek sophisticate, but looks a bit more rugged and sporting with a powerful hood, SUV-style mirrors & roof rack, more traditional rear gate. 3rd row should feel less claustrophobic with the larger, squared-off rear 3/4 glass. I think the great engine improvements with the decent styling will make it a winner with the general public.
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Jae 5:38AM (4/03/2007)
Subaru, Hyundai wants their Santa fe rear end back
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DPC car videos 5:24AM (4/03/2007)
Overall a great looking SUV, defenatly will appeal to more people then the current one. Here is the website and picture of the current one:
http://www.subaru.com/shop/model_consideration.jsp?model=B9_TRIBECA
The front end of the current Gen. was too extreme for most people. This new one blends in more with the other SUV's.
http://www.dpccars.com
DPCcars
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Deezee 5:30AM (4/03/2007)
Much better than the old one. MUCH.
It looks like the Hyundai Santa Fe's long lost brother. Which is a good thing.
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Will 5:34AM (4/03/2007)
Loved the interior on the last model. I wonder if it has changed significantly with the refresh? The only thing that really got me on the B9 was that front fascia and grille. I have to say, this is much, much, better. Is it coincidence that the WRX looks similar to the Sebring, while the newer B9 appears to have the Aspen's rugged looks?
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PICTOR 6:11AM (4/04/2007)
A 256 HP engine and a five speed automatic, if this was domestic you folks would all be over it screaming abou the low HP and the lack of a six speed.
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Jae 5:39AM (4/03/2007)
Oh, and the front
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Jae 5:40AM (4/03/2007)
Why is it that when Hyundai comes out with a design similar to another car, people are critical but when a Japanese maker copies them people are not?
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Dusty 5:41AM (4/03/2007)
Woah Subaru, you better tame down these new designs, they're way over the top, some people just can't handle the excitement...
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Deezee 5:45AM (4/03/2007)
LOL @ #8
And I kind of agree with #7. But I"m just glad they didn't botch it completely like they did the new WRX.
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Jae 6:07AM (4/03/2007)
Oh yea... the new WRX looks horrible
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ron 6:54AM (4/03/2007)
That's much better! The front end of the original looked like a cross between an Edsel and an anteater.
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AJB 6:53AM (4/03/2007)
Looks like a Hyundai now. At least the old B9 had some distinction, even though most found it unattractive.
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JB 7:05AM (4/03/2007)
What a mishmash of design ideas. Looks like a Japanese copy of a Korean copy of several models.
Why is there that slit under the grille? It looks too small to be of much use, and that's likely where the plate will go. Did the airflow guys really need that, or did styling think it was necessary?
The back is OK. I'd like to see more lights on the tailgate though. LEDs make packaging easier. I know that regulations require lights on the body so when the hatch is up there are still lights denoting the corners of the vehicle. But there is room on the hatch to be creative with LEDs. This car is not cheap, so spend the money.
Of course, we must have the obligatory strakes in the fog lamp bezels. Partly it is needed to reinforce the area, but it is so common. Try something new.
The mirrors look nice and big, though.
I do have to give Subaru one salute - no fender vents!!!
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GOKARTN 9:00AM (4/03/2007)
It looks like someone neutered the design department at Subaru.
Their cars went from fun and distinctive to Korean.
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Aetius 7:43AM (4/03/2007)
At least the current gen Tribeca is original. This is a re-badged Hyundai.
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yacoub 7:47AM (4/03/2007)
Funny, the rear STILL looks like an Infiniti FX35 wannabe, just like the previous model year Tribeca :)
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Dave 7:57AM (4/03/2007)
Note to self:
Cross Subaru off the shopping list. Nothing of interest.
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Bob R. 8:03AM (4/03/2007)
At least the last B9 had a unique, but ugly design. This one blends in with every other SUV/CUV on the road. New motor sounds cool though.
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mike 1:16PM (4/03/2007)
#14. I agree completely. I'm no Subaru fan but I thought the 1st generation Tribeca was at least of interest. Now, it just looks like very other vanilla small SUV. No thanks.
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