Filed under: New York Auto Show, Crossovers/CUVs, Subaru
New York Preview: 2008 Subaru Tribeca
Click image for photo gallery
When Subaru introduced the B9 Tribeca a few years ago, it was not warmly received in the marketplace. Its styling was charitably described as "not as bad as a Pontiac Aztec," a backhanded compliment if there ever was one. Online auto pundit extraordinaire Robert Farago famously described its nose as a certain part of the female anatomy that had taken flight. Subaru has at last responded and "mainstreamed" the front end of the SUV. Based on this and the beak of the newly-revealed 2008 Impreza, it appears that Subaru has decided to make the forward-facing parts of its cars more palatable to the masses. Additionally (and thankfully), the Tribeca loses the inexplicable B9 part of its nomenclature and gains some displacement and horsepower, now up to 3.6L and 256 hp. Said powerplant is now set up to run on regular unleaded gasoline as well (until now, the Tribeca drank premium). Additionally, new mirrors and rear 3/3 windows help increase visibility.
Official press release after the jump.
[Source: Subaru]
Gallery: 2008 Subaru Tribeca
PRESS RELEASE:
FHI Unveils New Subaru Tribeca at the New York International Auto Show
Tokyo, April 3, 2007 – Fuji Heavy Industries Inc. (FHI), the maker of Subaru automobiles, today announced its plan to introduce the redesigned Subaru B9 Tribeca, now named Subaru Tribeca, and to start sales in the U.S. this summer. FHI will unveil the new Tribeca (U.S. specifications) at the New York International Auto Show, which will be held from April 6 through 15. (Press days : April 4 and 5)
Advancing the concept of a progressive sports utility vehicle (SUV), the new Tribeca features powerful new styling, improved performance, enhanced comfort and functionality. Its exterior design stresses a more SUV-like appearance with a new front face design. The revamped Tribeca is equipped with a newly designed 3.6-liter boxer engine. Although larger and more powerful than the previous 3-liter engine, the new engine delivers both improved performance and fuel efficiency in real world driving situations. Design modifications in its cooling system have enabled the use of regular unleaded fuel, a change from premium only-helping to lower consumer operating costs.
Subaru Tribeca (U.S. specifications)
1. Streamlined sophisticated styling
The exterior design of the new Tribeca is streamlined and powerful, building upon the sporty and dynamic feel of its predecessor model. Interior designs express a sophisticated quality look and sportiness.
2. Outstanding performance
The new Tribeca has been developed with the goal of balancing improved performance and environmental considerations.
- Without increasing the physical dimensions of the power unit, the displacement was expanded from 3.0 to 3.6 liters, which was made possible primarily through design changes involving expanded bore dimensions and a longer stroke.
- The new engine maintains the same levels of emissions and fuel efficiency as the previous 3-liter unit, despite the larger engine size and more powerful output.
- The new 3.6-liter boxer engine features Dual Active Valve Control System (Dual AVCS) for controlling timing in both the intake and exhaust valves, which helps provide improved low-end torque.
- Design modifications made to the cooling system allow the use of regular unleaded gasoline, which contributes to lowering consumer operating costs.
- A substantially revised 5-speed Automatic transmission with newly designed control unit, refined torque converter and optimized gear ratio delivers faster shifting response and smooth and powerful acceleration.
- The new engine and transmission are lighter weight, achieving a total weight reduction of 4.4 kilograms.
The new Tribeca offers a pleasant ride with improved access, visibility, and comfort.
- Third row seating access has been enhanced through a number of changes. The second row seat comes with a tilt-and-slide control on both the driver's and passenger's sides and a new assist spring that reduces the effort needed to slide the second row seat. Also new are molded grab handles on the lower C-pillar to assist in stepping into the third row.
- With redesigned door mirrors and rear quarter windows, side and rear vision have been improved.
- Re-calibrated rear suspension with new bushings improves ride comfort.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Ian 9:23AM (4/03/2007)
It's gone from a distinctive styling to pure BLAND.
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C. A. Martin 9:25AM (4/03/2007)
Holy cats, it's another Chysler Aspen!
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Atomicbri 9:29AM (4/03/2007)
Maybe I am the only crazy one, but I kinda liked the old front end. This is a little too plain, and will definately fade into the scenery. Maybe the front of the old one would have been better if the headlamps weren't so round. Thes headlamps with that Edsel as people call it grill may have worked better. I did a REALLY quick Photoshop (I am at work! LOL!) and put the old front with new headlights and all making the Old grill smaller Not so IN YOUR FACE.... tell me what you think...
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f360/atomicbri/Tribeca.jpg
This new one just seems too bland now. One extreme to the other.
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DC_1 9:36AM (4/03/2007)
I am convinced that Chrysler and Subaru has merged!!!
This thing looks even worse!!!!
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Jason Sewell 9:41AM (4/03/2007)
I had always assumed that B9 was a homonym for "benign", implying that the Subaru was friendlier than the average SUV.
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karin 6:56AM (6/14/2007)
Are you Jason Sewell who ones dated a dutch girl Karin???
The Anti-Paul 9:44AM (4/03/2007)
It's a Hyundai Santa Fe with a Chrysler grill. Zzzzzzz......
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Jay MIller 9:58AM (4/03/2007)
LOL, they can't even do boring right. The grafted-on front end doesn't blend at all with the styling of the rest of the car.
The lights used to be fine, all it needed was a mild grille treatment. The WRX doesn't look much better either.
Imagine the cars that could have resulted if Alfa Romeo had gotten their hands on Subaru drivetrain (and tossed all the lousy coachwork). A 149 with hi-po AWD drivetrain, and a pre-built Kamal (Alfa CUV concept).
Instead we get a Tribeca with a Highlander front end and a WRX that looks as aggressive as a Corolla. Thanks Toyota!
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Bora 10:00AM (4/03/2007)
What the Subaru designers are thinking? This looks really cheap. Atomicbri's quick sketch was even better.
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Rick Lyon 10:02AM (4/03/2007)
I didn't mind the front end, it was the 3 tier rear end that reminded me of the Aztek. It just looked like a 3 layer cake had collapsed. That and the $30k price were enough to leave me with a sour taste. I don't care how un-ugly they make it, it's still way over priced.
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CaliberSRT4 10:02AM (4/03/2007)
I like the old front end.
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Matt 10:06AM (4/03/2007)
"Its styling was charitably described as 'not as bad as a Pontiac Aztec.'"
That's CLASSIC.
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B-NOIT 10:13AM (4/03/2007)
I find that the original styling was distinctive enough to justify the premium price for this Subie... But now it looks a bit like a Forester (at least they're getting a little consistant in their line-up) with blown up proportions. Definitely not a step up, in my opinion. Looks a bit like a cheap any-car.
I still wish the best to Subie... They make good cars. I just think they should hire ME as their director of design. *Sigh*
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Merkidemis 10:17AM (4/03/2007)
I still dig the dash and center column. It may not be the most ergonomic, but it sure looks interesting and like they spent time on design, rather then the random mash of parts many other interiors are.
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Bebee 10:19AM (4/03/2007)
That is amazing! A company that creates such technical wonders is incapable of hiring a single co-op student studying industrial design, let alone a real designer. Ugly replica of older Hyundai merged with Ass pen gill.
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Chris Miller 10:20AM (4/03/2007)
Toyota wants their RAV4 back, and that's not a good thing.
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John-Scott Smith 10:29AM (4/03/2007)
I just threw up in my mouth a little bit.
Subaru...whats going on with you guys? To many parties and late nights out on the town causing you to have hangovers at the design studio?
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MGBYG 10:29AM (4/03/2007)
Another Japan, Inc. design where the grille makes the hood look as it's not closed all the way.
(New CR-V from Holy-honda is the worst example)
As others have siad, the rug doesn't match the curtains...old Nissan nose on a still sweet and smooth rump.
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mikomi 10:33AM (4/03/2007)
The important question is, is this fun to drive? What's the wade depth? I would get one of these if I can fjord 250mm of water on my way to work.
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Proud Japanese 10:39AM (4/03/2007)
Oh come on, you fucking hypocrites. You guys would have been the first to scream if they didn't change the front and now that they did change the front, you are the first to scream bloody murder.
Everyone is just trying to find an excuse to bitch.
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