| Manufacturer | Subaru (Fuji Heavy Industries) |
|---|---|
| Also called | Subaru B9 Tribeca Saab 9-6 (cancelled) |
| Production | 2005–present |
| Model years | 2006–present |
| Assembly | Lafayette, Indiana, United States |
| Class | Mid-size crossover SUV |
| Body style | 5-door SUV |
| Layout | Front-engine, four-wheel drive |
| Engine | 3.0 L EZ30 H6 (2005–2007) 3.6 L EZ36 H6 (2008–present) |
| Transmission | 5-speed automatic |
| Wheelbase | 108.2 in (2,748 mm) |
| Length | 189.8 in (4,821 mm) (2005–2007) 191.5 in (4,864 mm) (2007–present) |
| Width | 73.9 in (1,877 mm) |
| Height | 66.5 in (1,689 mm) (2005–2007) 67.7 in (1,720 mm) (2007–2010) |
The Subaru Tribeca is a mid-size crossover SUV sold since 2005 by Subaru, the automobile manufacturing division of Japanese transportation conglomerate Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI). Released in some markets as the Subaru B9 Tribeca, the name "Tribeca" derives from the TriBeCa neighborhood of New York City. Built on the Subaru Legacy platform and sold in five- and seven-seat configurations, the Tribeca was originally intended to be sold alongside a slightly revised version known as the Saab 9-6. Saab, at the time a subsidiary of General Motors (GM), abandoned the 9-6 program just prior to its release—a decision forced by GM's disposal of its 20 percent stake in FHI in 2005.
Inspired by the B9X concept car, the Tribeca's original design was criticised at launch resulting in Subaru quickly releasing a heavily facelifted version in 2007, which dropped the "B9" tag in the markets where it was applied. The styling changes that resulted were originally intended to be the design of the abandoned Saab 9-6.
Although not sold in Japan, North American markets received the Tribeca in 2005 for the 2006 model year, while it was introduced to Australasia in late 2006, with an introduction to Europe in 2007. In addition to these markets, the Tribeca is also available in Chile, Argentina, Peru, China, and parts of Southeast Asia.
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The Tribeca, introduced as the "B9 Tribeca" in several markets featured a new corporate face of a triangular grille and a rounded body shape. Subaru also used the grille styling on the Impreza, and the Japanese market Subaru R1 and R2 kei car products. As this styling motif proved controversial, all future Subaru redesigns abandoned this design language.
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| Saab 9-6 | |
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. Andreas Zapatinas and his team were responsible for the design of the interior, and the dashboard in particular. According to an Los Angeles Times article, the grille design was "meant to convey parent-company Fuji Heavy Industries' glorious history in aviation".[1]
The Tribeca was initially powered by the 3.0-liter EZ30 boxer engine paired with a five-speed automatic transmission.
Saab planned to have also retail a version of the Tribeca, to be called the "9-6", but such plans stopped with Toyota's acquisition of the 20 percent FHI stake held by Saab's parent company GM.[2] The 9-6 would have been built alongside the Tribeca at Subaru's Lafayette, Indiana factory in the United States. Saab revised their plans to replace the 9-7X after a short two-year lifespan, and instead the Oldsmobile Bravada-based body-on-frame SUV continued production until the 2009 model year.
The Tribeca was slightly reworked in 2006 for the 2007 model year. The updated model, debuting at the Chicago Auto Show, included a revised grille, revised struts, stabilizer bars, and spring rates. Inside, XM Satellite Radio and iPod connectors were pre-wired, while a backup camera and parking assist system were optional for the navigation system. A "Special Edition" package included a mesh grille, XM radio, and unique wheels.
Subaru released the 2008 model year facelift[3] at the New York International Auto Show in April 2007. The revised Tribeca received a facelift, as well as a larger 3.6-liter EZ36 flat-six engine rated at 191 kilowatts (256 hp), and Subaru claimed 10 percent better fuel economy while using regular gasoline fuel (the 2006 and 2007 models use premium gasoline). At the same time, Subaru dropped the "B9" identifier from the model name in the markets that was applied in, harmonising the name internationally as the "Subaru Tribeca". The rear of the vehicle was also mildly redesigned—the tail lamps were more rounded, the "cutout" on the hatch above the bumper omitted, and the rearmost side window reshaped. Interior styling was unchanged, but the second row seats were redesigned for more room and easier access to the third row.
The facelift was released due to the controversial styling of the original. The changes were able to be implemented so quickly after the original model's release due to the refreshed Tribeca utilizing much of the exterior styling tweaks present in the unreleased Saab 9-6. Saab had withheld its version of Tribeca from the public until showing a prototype at the Saab museum in Trollhättan during July 2011.[4]
North American market Tribecas offered two trim levels—the standard Tribeca—and the Limited, which added a moonroof, leather interior, roof rails for enhanced cargo carrying and a premium audio system with six-disc in-dash CD changer. The interior colors were somewhat limited to either dark gray cloth or a choice of dark gray or light beige leather interior.
The Limited trim level included an in-dash multifunction screen that displayed 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 was available with third row seating only, and could only be displayed on the instrument panel center screen if the vehicles parking brake was engaged.
The cargo volume was 37.6 cu ft (1.06 m3) with the second row seats raised and 74.4 cu ft (2.11 m3) with rear seats lowered. Seating configuration remained at standard second row seats or optional third row seats.
The vehicle was equipped with six airbags; two for the front passengers, two side impact airbags that deployed from the outer edge of the front seats and side curtain airbags that dropped in front of the front and second row side doors.
Two stereo packages were offered, starting with a 100-watt six-speaker system with a single-disc in-dash CD player with MP3 compatibility, or a premium stereo with 160-watt, nine speakers with subwoofer and a six-disc in-dash CD changer, also MP3 compatible. Both stereos had auxiliary audio jacks for MP3 players and steering wheel-mounted audio controls.
In North America, the Tribeca is the only vehicle in this class that comes equipped with all-wheel drive as standard equipment. In the United States, Subaru's television ad campaign for the Tribeca prominently featured the Kansas song "Dust in the Wind". 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.
Subaru chose to use an aluminum alloy boxer engine in order to reduce powertrain weight. The Subaru boxer engines have a lower center of gravity than typical inline and V type engines, this helps reduce body roll. The weight of the engine and automatic transmission are balanced instead of being offset. The power delivery is also direct from the transmission to the front wheels, and to the rear wheels through a rear differential, which is limited slip on some models. The front differential is integrated into the Subaru transmission. Other AWD vehicles were first engineered as either front or rear wheel drive, but were modified with an additional, external transfer case and asymmetrical drive shafts to power the additional wheels.
The boxer design also provides near-perfect vibration mitigation due to the fact that the movement of each piston is exactly countered by the corresponding piston in the opposing cylinder bank, eliminating the need for a counter balance shaft, and that the movement of the pistons is on a horizontal plane. The only vibration caused by the boxer engine is secondary caused by the cylinders being slightly offset on opposing banks.[5] This vibration, however, is minimal and is largely absorbed by rubber engine mounts. Torque steer is also reduced with this type of power train layout. This is achieved by having the front driveshafts being of equal weight and length, and extend from the transmission to the front wheels at almost perpendicular from the transmission.[6]