2008 Tribeca Pictures and Pre Debut Press Release [Archive]

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SoDealer

04-03-2007, 12:56 PM

Originally Posted by Subaru 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.

3. Improved comfort and functionality
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.

# # #

About Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd.
Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (FHI), the maker of Subaru automobiles, is a leading manufacturer in Japan with a long history of technological innovations that dates back to its origin as an aircraft company. While the automotive business is a main business pillar, FHI’s Aerospace, Industrial Products and Eco Technologies divisions offer a diverse range of products from general-purpose engines, power generators, and sanitation trucks to small airplanes, crucial components for passenger aircrafts, and wind-powered electricity generating systems. Recognized internationally for its AWD (All-Wheel Drive) technology and Horizontally-Opposed engines in Subarus, FHI is also spearheading the development of environmentally friendly products and is committed to contributing to global environmental preservation.

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ed@konceptracing.com

04-03-2007, 01:26 PM

i like pig nosed better. this model is too mainstream, but definitely will sell more than the 18,000 units sold last year.

hawker800mech

04-03-2007, 02:42 PM

It looks nice, but has no individuality. Does resemble a Chrysler. I agree that the bugeye B9 looks better. But, they must conform to the masses to make a buck.

gbirk

04-03-2007, 11:17 PM

Well, Subaru has succeded in making the B9 look like every other crossover on the market.

Glad I got one before the change.

ed@konceptracing.com

04-04-2007, 07:55 AM

i love the fact that you will get more power and better MPG, should have done it in the original.

jrseyshawn

04-04-2007, 10:53 AM

ed@konceptracing.com

04-04-2007, 01:09 PM

is it me or does this look like a Chrysler Pacifica? I know the current Beca is out of the norm but then again, believe it or not there are not many around(atlest in north Jersey) and i still get compliments on it. each to it's own i guess
i was thinking more of a hyundai santa fe, but your not the first person to say it looks like a pacifica.

DubyaSTI

04-04-2007, 03:38 PM

I like it, but I still like the original version better. Definitly more mainstream, which will work out well for Subaru.
I'm really liking the increased torque that the new motor offers.

Tup

04-04-2007, 04:15 PM

Def more mainstream. Ahh conformaty!!

What is the HP rating?

Will they orphan the 3.0l now?

What's the business about changing the cooling system to allow regular gas to be used? I find my Tribeca works the same with reg or premium.

Edit...found on another site:
<TABLE border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>HP 256 @ 6,000 rpm</TD></TR><TR><TD>Torque 247 lb.-ft. @ 4,400 rpm</TD><TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

hawker800mech

04-04-2007, 06:20 PM

jrseyshawn

04-05-2007, 07:18 AM

i was thinking more of a hyundai santa fe, but your not the first person to say it looks like a pacifica.

funny you say that because i was trying to figure out which it looks like the most. the Santa Fe or the Pacifica... i think the grill is what makes it look more like the Pacifica where as the back looks more like the Santa Fe in my opinion.

regardless..i think the whole body styling looks boring.

B9LTD83

04-05-2007, 09:26 PM

hawker800mech

04-06-2007, 07:12 AM

Just saw a new Santa Fe yesterday at work. It looks just like a smaller version of the Tribeca. Yuck.

ed@konceptracing.com

04-07-2007, 09:11 AM

I don't know what they were thinking about this refresh, but the only cool thing I found so far about this car is the new integrated key. Other than that the car looks like a hot mess slapped by Chrysler, and then destroyed by Hyundai. The least they could have done was thrown on a decent set of HID's or a Turbo. Totally disappointed...:tdown:
agreed. HIDs would definitely be nice, maybe an autolock function, hello subaru, this is suppose to be your flagship car right? i hope they put in a bigger gas tank too, 14.9 gallons on an SUV is down right silly, especially when you have to put in premium gas.

Tsporty

04-08-2007, 02:14 PM

Actually the 'Beca has a 16.9 gallon fuel tank-still too small.

Saw the pics first in the NYT and found the redesign totally forgettable as well and agree with the Pacifica meets Sante Fe styling cues. Official pics look slightly better but still prefer the quirky looks of the original. More torque would be nice but never have found ours to be underpowered for every day use.

Glad I got the original to go with our 02 bug-eyes WRX

Speaking of WRX the new re-design looks AWFUL can anyone say Kia Rio!?

ed@konceptracing.com

04-09-2007, 08:16 AM

Speaking of WRX the new re-design looks AWFUL can anyone say Kia Rio!?
really? i like the hatch/wagon, i think subaru finally got it right this time. yes its more mainstream now, more appealing to the masses, but they've improved alot. love the integrated hood, rear diffuser, interior is very nice. at first i wasnt too wild about it, but its grown on me, pretty much like all WRX's of the past. my only wish is the fender flares.

cash911

04-11-2007, 11:45 AM

I recently bought a 2007 Tribeca and love the exterior styling. It has a porsche cayenne look about it. I think the 2008 looks very good and will likely appeal to more of an audience, but I like the '06/'07 styling much better! I probably would not have purchased the Tribeca if this were 2008. Subaru needs to sell cars, so I can't really blame them for change.

abm77

04-17-2007, 09:16 PM

The old one looks alot better, this looks like all the american and korean suvs:( .

SoDealer

05-05-2007, 04:35 PM

The old one looks alot better, this looks like all the american and korean suvs:( .

I thought I liked the old one better too... then i put them side by side. Hands down the 08 looks a lot better than the 06/07... It is a little more conventional looking... but nothing that a few tweaks won't fix.

SoDealer

05-06-2007, 09:39 AM

Overview of 08 Tribeca:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEUbHxkjLmg&mode=related&search=

Overview of 3.6l engine:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jXumIBFJMs&mode=related&search=

Hum

05-07-2007, 03:31 AM

Well what can you say, I love my current shape, but after watching that 15 minute video, (Thanks for the link) I think I might like the new model. I love the tweeters in the ceiling and that the DVD system has video inputs. The extra power should be good. Subaru will definatelty sell more of the new model, they have addressed most of the shortcomings of the old model. I also noticed the Nav screen now displays the multizone aircon settings. I wonder what else the screen will do.

The biggest problem over here in Australia is that the current shape will have only been out 12 months before the new shape comes out. I don't know if I should be annoyed or enjoy the exclusitivity of the current shape.

mls64

05-17-2007, 07:57 PM

I saw a Subaru ad in the Wall Street Journal (it was either yesterday or today's issue, can't remember) with the new Tribeca pictured alongside a Legacy and WRX. Is it at dealers yet? I found it curious that they would already be advertising it if there is a large existing inventory of 07 models.

serge

12-17-2007, 02:00 PM

I wish Subaru added Manual Transmission option for Tribeca in future models. It was the only reason I bought Legacy 2007, but really wanted Tribeca.

chunkone

01-21-2008, 12:46 PM

that would be a nice to have a 5 speed

Magic Marker

02-18-2008, 02:35 PM

that would be a nice to have a 5 speed
Do you think there would be a demand for a stick Tribeca?

SubieDriver

02-20-2008, 08:13 AM

I would guess that there would be less demand for a manual Tribeca than there was for a manual Legacy wagon, and they discontinued those due to low demand (in the US). I'm totally OK with the new auto in the '08 Tribeca.

I drove an '07 and '08 Tribeca back to back this past weekend, and the difference in engine power is really noticeable. The 3.0 seems to strain under the weight of the vehicle, while the 3.6 lunges forward with plenty of go-power.

B9LTD83

02-20-2008, 09:38 PM

SubieDriver

02-21-2008, 08:02 AM

That might be tough. The engine is all-new, and I believe the tranny is too.

You'd have to do a swap. Find a wrecked '08 and do a transplant.

HB_Dad

05-02-2008, 11:36 AM

I drove an '07 and '08 Tribeca back to back this past weekend, and the difference in engine power is really noticeable. The 3.0 seems to strain under the weight of the vehicle, while the 3.6 lunges forward with plenty of go-power.

Stop, you're making me envious! My wife and I agreed tentatively to go another year in our '06 before trading in for an '09 or '10 and when I hear these comments, I get more anxious to do the trade for an '08 now.

The good news is that the '09 will probably have the Ipod integration and Blue Tooth if all goes well, so if this is the case, its worth the wait... ;)

SubieDriver

05-02-2008, 12:05 PM

Stop, you're making me envious! My wife and I agreed tentatively to go another year in our '06 before trading in for an '09 or '10 and when I hear these comments, I get more anxious to do the trade for an '08 now.

The good news is that the '09 will probably have the Ipod integration and Blue Tooth if all goes well, so if this is the case, its worth the wait... ;)

I wrote that before I bought my '07. After driving the two, the '08 was definitely torquier down low, but the throttle almost felt too touchy. I think it was harder to make a smooth take-off in the '08 (without giving whiplash to my passengers) because it wanted to lunge forward. I felt I could modulate the '07 throttle better.

Now, after having my '07 for over a month, I think I made the right choice. I like the unique front end, and the power is entirely sufficient. I occasionally wish for a little extra mid-range punch, but for 95% of my driving it has plenty.

Regarding the iPod integration, they included that on the '07s. There is an Aux In that the '06 didn't have. The CD player also will play MP3 CDs, and you can browse folders on the disk. Not sure when Bluetooth arrives.

If you're thinking of waiting 'til '10, you might as well wait for the next-gen in '11 (if they keep up their current 5-year update pattern).

Anybody heard anything on the next Tribeca version? (I know, it's a little early...)

Magic Marker

05-02-2008, 12:07 PM

We love our 07 so much, we anticipate to keep it until it dies.

snork

05-02-2008, 01:12 PM

Stop, you're making me envious! My wife and I agreed tentatively to go another year in our '06 before trading in for an '09 or '10 and when I hear these comments, I get more anxious to do the trade for an '08 now.

The good news is that the '09 will probably have the Ipod integration and Blue Tooth if all goes well, so if this is the case, its worth the wait... ;)

I would definitely wait for the 09/10 models. The 09 Legacies & Outbacks are getting a Harmon/Kardon stereo...385 watts, 9 speakers. And if Brian Cooley on cnet.com says it actually sounds good (he's pretty critical and accurate rating car stereos IMHO), I'd wager it's pretty good. That being said, if the Legacies are getting an upgrade I would hope the Tribecas would too considering they are Subaru's most expensive vehicle! The stereo is the only component really lacking in the Tribeca IMHO. Even my mom's 94 Eddie Bauer Explorer had a sweet sounding 8 speaker JBL stereo w/ sub. Crap, my parent's still drive it and it's better sounding than our Tribeca:o

The only thing I regret about not waiting to get an 08 model is the added power and running on regular gas...although we haven't really put in much premium fuel into the car b/c of the cost.

Magic Marker

05-02-2008, 03:40 PM

The only thing I regret about not waiting to get an 08 model is the added power and running on regular gas...although we haven't really put in much premium fuel into the car b/c of the cost.

We ran 89 for a while, but performance suffered. It seemed like it took longer to down shift for passing. I put premium back in and she's ok now.

2GC8sNaB9

05-03-2008, 01:51 PM

~I cannot remember the last time I purchased 87/89 octane. (hmm, probably when 87/89 Octane was around .87 cnts gal.) Savings is less than $3 when you fill w/ 93 and fuel quality and performance is worth it.
~Sheeshh, I feel so much better about $4 gal. prices here in NYC, when compared to Europes $7 min. - $11 Max. Fuel Prices! They only get 91 Octane Max. in most of EURO. All the OIL providing countries like S.A. and Arabia pay less than half a dollar per Gal. Go figure... if we only had a large enough oil resource here in the states..

~Can't wait for the Deisel Boxters..