NEW YORK — A year ago, Subaru brought a "revised" B9 Tribeca to the Chicago auto show with changes that were nearly invisible to the naked eye. This time around, parent Fuji Heavy Industries has announced that it will take the wraps off a redesigned version of the crossover at this week's 2007 New York Auto Show with more noticeable tweaks.
The changes are seen as crucial for the crossover, which is the first Subaru in the United States that could hold more than five passengers.
For starters, the "B9" part of the name has been dropped. The Tribeca also gets a revamped engine that hikes the displacement from 3.0 to 3.6 liters. Subaru said the engine was altered "without increasing the physical dimensions of the power unit," primarily through design changes involving expanded bore dimensions and a longer stroke. The 3.0-liter boxer engine on the outgoing model delivered 245 horses. Subaru has not yet released engine specs on the redesigned unit. It said it has also "substantially revised" the five-speed automatic transmission on the Tribeca for faster shifting response.
The Tribeca, which hits U.S. showrooms this summer, also gets a more SUV-like look thanks to a new front end design. In the cabin, access to the third-row seat has been improved. The second-row seat now comes with a tilt-and-slide control, a new assist spring that reduces the effort to slide the seat and grab handles on the lower C-pillar.
The Tribeca also gets a recalibrated rear suspension with new bushings to improve ride quality.
No word on whether the Tribeca, which starts at $30,620, including a $625 destination charge for the '07 model, will get a price hike for 2008.
What this means to you: The key question is whether you'll notice the changes to this iteration of the Tribeca — and whether you'll like them.
The changes are seen as crucial for the crossover, which is the first Subaru in the United States that could hold more than five passengers.
For starters, the "B9" part of the name has been dropped. The Tribeca also gets a revamped engine that hikes the displacement from 3.0 to 3.6 liters. Subaru said the engine was altered "without increasing the physical dimensions of the power unit," primarily through design changes involving expanded bore dimensions and a longer stroke. The 3.0-liter boxer engine on the outgoing model delivered 245 horses. Subaru has not yet released engine specs on the redesigned unit. It said it has also "substantially revised" the five-speed automatic transmission on the Tribeca for faster shifting response.
The Tribeca, which hits U.S. showrooms this summer, also gets a more SUV-like look thanks to a new front end design. In the cabin, access to the third-row seat has been improved. The second-row seat now comes with a tilt-and-slide control, a new assist spring that reduces the effort to slide the seat and grab handles on the lower C-pillar.
The Tribeca also gets a recalibrated rear suspension with new bushings to improve ride quality.
No word on whether the Tribeca, which starts at $30,620, including a $625 destination charge for the '07 model, will get a price hike for 2008.
What this means to you: The key question is whether you'll notice the changes to this iteration of the Tribeca — and whether you'll like them.
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