Subaru Tribeca

Infobox Automobile


name = Subaru Tribeca
aka = Subaru B9 Tribeca
manufacturer = Subaru
parent_company = Fuji Heavy Industries
production = 2005-present
class = Mid-size crossover SUV
body_style = 5-door SUV
assembly = Lafayette, Indiana, United States

Subaru began selling the Tribeca, a five or seven-seat mid-size, crossover SUV as a 2006 model. Built on the Subaru Legacy platform, the Tribeca was inspired by the "B9X" concept car and has now evolved into its second styling generation.

The name Tribeca derives from the TriBeCa neighborhood of New York City.

The Tribeca was only Subaru's second production vehicle to forego frameless side windows, the first vehicle being the Subaru SVX.

The Tribeca is not sold in Japan.

Awards

The Tribeca won best interior of the year by Ward's Auto, a benchmark agent similar to JD Power, but more subjective. Also, it was considered Most Innovative Concept at the 2004 Detroit Auto Show.

The Tribeca scored well on Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash tests. It earned a "Top Safety Pick" ranking.

(2005-present)

Infobox Automobile
name = Subaru Tribeca


production = 2005–present
aka=B9 Tribeca until 2008
engine = 3.6 L Convert|256|hp|kW|0|abbr=on H6
transmission = 5-speed automatic
fuel_capacity = 16.9 US gal
(63.9 L) (14 Imp. gallons)
wheelbase = Auto in|108.2|0
layout = Front engine / four-wheel drive
length = Auto in|189.8|0 (2006-07)
Auto in|191.5|0 (2008-present)
width = Auto in|73.9|0 (2006-07)
Auto in|88.8|0 (2008-present)
height = Auto in|66.5|0 (2006-07)
Auto in|66.4|0 (2008-present)
torque = Auto ft.lbf|247|0 @ 4200 rpm
related = Subaru Legacy
Subaru Outback
curb_weight = 4245 lb (1926 kg)

The B9 Tribeca was featured a new Subaru design language of a triangular grille and a rounded bodyshape. Subaru also used the grille styling on the Impreza, and the JDM Subaru R1/R2 "kei class" products with a similar reaction. Subaru has since abandoned this styling feature for future models beginning with the 2006 model year.

The grille design was not conceived by designer Andreas Zapatinas, rather by Fuore Design, an independent design consulting firm based in Spain, hired by Subaru before Zapatinas involvement Fact|date=April 2008. Andreas Zapatinas and his team were responsible for the design of the interior, and the dashboard in particular. According to an LA Times article, the grille design was "meant to convey parent-company Fuji Heavy Industries' glorious history in aviation." Cite web|url=http://www.latimes.com/classified/automotive/la-hy-neil31oct31,0,4736128.story?coll=la-home-middleright|title=Soft-serve Subie|accessdate=2008-04-11|year=October 31, 2007|author=Dan Neil|work=latimes.com]

The B9 Tribeca was initially powered by the EZ30 3.0 L boxer engine and was priced from US$ 30,695 to 38,320. Saab was planned to have also received a version of the vehicle, called the 9-6X, but such plans stopped with Toyota's acquisition of the FHI stake held by General Motors (Saab's parent company). It would have been built alongside the Tribeca at Subaru's Lafayette, Indiana factory. Saab revised their plans to base their SUV on the Tribeca and in mid-2007 introduced the 9-7x based on the Chevrolet TrailBlazer and GMC Envoy platform instead.

In the United States, Subaru's television ad campaign for the Tribeca has prominently featured the Kansas song "Dust in the Wind".

The Tribeca was slightly reworked for 2007. The updated model, debuting at the Chicago Auto Show, includes a revised grille, and revised struts, stabilizer bars, and spring rates. Inside, XM Satellite Radio and iPod connectors are pre-wired, while a backup camera and parking assist system are optional for the navigation system. A US$1300 Special Edition package includes a mesh grille, XM radio, and special wheels.

This car was introduced in Australia and New Zealand in late 2006.

2008 facelift

The 2008 model was introduced at the New York International Auto Show in April 2007. It received a facelift, as well as a larger EZ36 3.6 L Convert|256|hp|kW|0|abbr=on engine, and Subaru claimed 10% better fuel economy while using regular fuel "(the 2006 and 2007 use premium)" "B9" was dropped from the model name, leaving it just Subaru Tribeca. The back of the vehicle was also mildly redesigned. The tail lamps are more rounded and the "cutout" on the hatch above the bumper has been omitted. The rearmost side window was reshaped. Interior styling is unchanged, but the second row seats have been redesigned for more room and easier access in the third row. The refreshed Tribeca bears much resemblance to concept mock-ups of the unreleased Saab 9-6X.Cite web|url=http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070403/FREE/70402013/1062|title=Tribeca leaves B9 moniker in the recovery room|accessdate=2008-04-11|year=04/03/07|work=autoweek.com]

USA Spec
[2008 Subaru Tribeca Sales brochure, Subaru of America printed 6/07] The vehicle is offered with two trim levels; the standard Tribeca and the Limited, which adds a moonroof, leather interior, roof rails for enhanced cargo carrying and a premium audio system with 6-disc in-dash CD changer. The interior colors are somewhat limited to either dark gray cloth or a choice of dark gray or light beige leather interior.

The Limited trim level includes an in-dash multifunction screen that displays navigation system information, audio system information, trip computer functions, outside temperatures, maintenance intervals, controls for various vehicle settings, calendar, calculator and memo-taking functions. Video input from rear-seat DVD entertainment system is available with third row seating only, and can only be displayed if the vehicles transmission is in Park.

The cargo volume is convert|37.6|cuft|abbr=on with the second row seats raised and convert|74.4|cuft|abbr=on with rear seats lowered. Seating configuration remains at standard second row seats or optional third row seats.

The vehicle is equipped with six airbags; two for the front passengers, two side impact airbags that deploy from the outer edge of the front seats and side curtain airbags that drop in front of the front and second row side doors.

Two stereo packages are offered, starting with a 100W 6 speaker system with a single-disc in-dash CD player with MP3 compatibility, or a premium stereo with 160W, 9 speakers with subwoofer and a 6-disc in-dash CD changer, also MP3 compatible. Both stereos have auxiliary audio jacks for MP3 players and steering wheel-mounted audio controls.

References

External links

* [http://www.subaru.com Subaru of America]
* [http://www.subaru.com/sub/b9/init.html Subaru B9 Tribeca Official Site]
* [http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2005/04/01/026880.html Subaru Announces Pricing on B9 Tribeca]