Subaru's versatile Model Year 2008 Tribeca is launched today with subtle styling changes, more power, better fuel efficiency and easier third row seat access in seven-seat models.

While specification is significantly enhanced, pricing is unchanged, starting from $53,990 for the Tribeca 3.6R five-seat.

Revised rear suspension on Subaru's Medium Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) benefits ride quality, while significant transmission refinements enhance drivability too, producing an agile constant All-Wheel Drive performer.

Tribeca's new 3.6 litre six-cylinder horizontally opposed boxer engine is the largest ever produced by Subaru, yet it retains the same dimensions as the superseded 3.0 litre unit and is 0.7 kg lighter.

Power is up 5.5 per cent from 180 Kilowatts to 190 kW, while torque is up an impressive 17.8 per cent from 297 Newtonmetres to 350 Nm.

The end result is vastly improved low-end torque and better fuel economy – 11.6 litres per 100 kilometres versus 12.4 in the superseded model.

Despite the larger engine, emissions are unchanged.

Tribeca's revised lighter-weight SPORTSHIFT five-speed automatic transmission produces smoother shifts and less lag.

Towing capacity is also enhanced, with the 2000 kg braked capacity download now increased from 100 kg to 160 kg.

Among the Model Year 2008 Tribeca highlights:

• Significant increases in torque and power – the all-new 3.6 litre engine is Subaru's largest ever, yet is lighter
• Pricing unchanged – starts from $53,990
• Dynamic driving performance
• Optimum fuel consumption via improved low and mid-range torque – 11.6 l/100 km
• Lightweight five-speed SPORTSHIFT transmission – smoother gear changes, weight down 3.7 kg
• Simplified third row seat access in seven-seat models
• Recalibrated rear suspension for optimum ride comfort and handling
• Larger rear quarter windows for better visibility – size up 30 per cent
• New 10-spoke design 18-inch alloy wheels
• New exterior highlights including revised headlights, bumpers and grille
• ANCAP five-star rating for occupant safety
• Choice of five and seven-seat versions in both entry-level and Premium trims
• Exhaust, cooling and power steering revised
• Improved towing – 2000 kg braked capacity now enhanced by 160 kg download
• Xenon HID headlights
• Roof rails on Premium variants

Nick Senior, Managing Director, Subaru Australia, said: "Tribeca's already impressive specification is vastly improved for 2008, while pricing remains the same, which is remarkable value for money.

"We will continue to offer both five and seven-seat options in 3.6R and 3.6R Premium trim levels.

"Yet again the Subaru engineers have achieved a remarkable feat in producing a greater capacity engine that is lighter, yet equally compact as its predecessor, and more fuel efficient.

"The revised SPORTSHIFT transmission is also mapped to ideally match the new engine's characteristics, producing an ultra-smooth, responsive drive right across the operating range.

"We've been delighted by the customer response to the original Tribeca and judging by the huge level of interest in the new version displayed at Sydney Motor Show, we can only see its appeal growing.

"Tribeca maintains the five-star ANCAP rating for occupant safety now shared by the entire Subaru range and combined with its exciting new look, constant All-Wheel Drive ability, tremendous specification and competitive pricing, it makes a compelling package."

Exterior

Tribeca's updated appearance includes a one-piece grille, new front and rear bumpers, bonnet, headlights, hatch, rear spoiler and light clusters.

New rear three-quarter windows freshen Tribeca's profile, while also offering occupants a better field of vision.

Taillights are wider for greater visual recognition, while a distinctive shoulder line runs the length of the car, merging with the front guards.

Roof rails are now standard on Tribeca Premium variants.

Colours

• Quartz silver
• Diamond grey
• Obsidian black pearl
• Newport blue pearl
• Satin white pearl

Interior

Tribeca's award-winning interior includes easier access to third row seats on seven-seat versions, enhancing practicality and comfort.

Second row seats feature a tilt-and-slide control on both the driver's and passenger's side, plus a new assist spring that reduces the effort needed to slide the second row seat.

Molded grab handles on the lower C-pillar also ease entry and exit of third row seats.

Redesigned larger rear quarter widows, increased in size by around 30 per cent, offer improved visibility, particularly for third row passengers in seven-seat Tribecas.

All glass panels offer UV protection – the windscreen allows zero UV penetration.

Engine

Tribeca's 3.6 litre six cylinder horizontally opposed boxer engine produces 190 kW of power at 6000 rpm and 350 Nm of torque at 4000 rpm.

Fuji Heavy Industries engineers achieved their goal of producing more power, torque and fuel efficiency for Tribeca without impacting emissions.

The new engine features a lightweight cylinder head and block with added rigidity, improved cooling and reduced vibration.

The air intake system has a lightweight plastic intake manifold.

The chain layout is also revised to reduce noise.

Subaru engineers designed a shortened con rod, allowing for a larger displacement without increasing the engine's physical dimensions or weight – it has reduced by around 0.7 kg.

It also means Tribeca retains its low centre of gravity, for optimum road holding. This helps minimize the chance of rollover in an accident.

Casting refinement has reduced aluminium thickness between bores by 6.4 mm, while cylinder liners are slimmer and lightweight.

Sintered iron pieces within the aluminium die cast cylinder block control thermal expansion of journal clearances during warm-up, while also relieving shocks to the crankshaft journals and reducing overall vibrations.

The percentage of intake air as a proportion of the total cylinder capacity has been improved, meaning more air is drawn into the cylinders, which in turn produces great explosive force and power output.

A new common rail cooling system is adopted. It individually cools each cylinder, using water separation chambers, rather than allowing water to flow from cylinder to cylinder.

This aids engine efficiency, and also allows standardized timing for all six cylinders.

Changes to the cooling circuitry and Dual Active Valve Control System (DAVCS) also benefit torque, noise control and fuel consumption at low speeds.

The new engine features DAVCS variable valve timing on both the intake and exhaust valves. The previous 3.0 litre engine had AVCS on the intake side only.

This particularly benefits torque at low to mid-range speeds.

Also aiding fuel efficiency are low friction pistons and spark plugs with improved ignition performance.

The power steering pump is changed too for increased efficiency and reduction of torque loss.

Changes to the Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) have enhanced drivability, fuel efficiency and throttle response. Acceleration performance has increased in the mid to low level torque range.

A lightweight, streamlined accelerator pedal is adopted too.

To suit the larger capacity engine, exhaust internal construction has changed from a "J turn" design to a "U turn" aimed at minimizing vibration.

Transmission

Tribeca's lightweight five-speed SPORTSHIFT automatic transmission is substantially revised.

It includes an all-new lock-up converter and control unit that delivers faster, smoother shifts and lower fuel consumption.

The transmission weighs 3.7 kg less than its predecessor, contributing to an overall 4.4 kg reduction in drivetrain weight.

It features a smaller and more lightweight oil pressure control system, improving oil pressure response. The electronic control systems have also been redesigned for more accurate response, producing refined gear shifting.

Fluid characteristics within the new design torque converter are completely reviewed. This produces acceleration improvements and an increase in engine speed during take-off.

Shifting has been mapped specifically to suit the 3.6 litre engine. Response has been optimized through a new design Transmission Control Unit (TCU), which offers vastly improved accuracy and response, combined with fuel efficiency.

The TCU features a new design lightweight and compact double-layer control valve body, including a high precision, high response oil pressure solenoid, minimizing oil consumption, lowering pressure and optimizing fuel consumption.

The internal clutch layout has been changed, including elimination of the low coast brake and one-way clutch.

Gear change response is improved by allowing 4 to 3 and 3 to 2 downshifting simultaneously. This produces a more accurate feel and enables multiple, continuous gear changes.

On hills, the new shift control uses car speed and accelerator opening to determine available driving power output and acceleration, while at the same time calculating the optimum gear position for the road gradient.

This produces a reduction in gear changes and better fuel efficiency.

Engine braking control means the driver's intentions can be interpreted, offering an experience similar to a manual transmission.

Suspension

Tribeca's rear suspension is recalibrated with new bushings for optimized ride comfort.

The long suspension stroke offers grand tourer comfort levels.

Entertainment

Tribeca's audio system now includes a roof-mounted tweeter speaker.

Safety

Tribeca maintains a five-star rating for occupant safety from the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP).

The rear vision camera is enhanced with a wider angle and display of marker lines indicating distance and car width, plus the edge of the rear bumper.

A partial glass lens is used to improve image resolution.

Tribeca now features Xenon HID headlights.

Standard features at a glance

Tribeca 3.6R:

Safety

• ABS brakes with four-wheel discs and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)
• Brake assist
• Child seat anchor points
• Constant All-Wheel Drive
• Dual front, side and curtain airbags
• Five-star ANCAP rating for occupant safety
• Front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters
• Heated wing mirrors
• Rear door child lock
• Rollover sensor
• Seatbelt indicator lights – front seats
• Side intrusion bars
• Speed sensitive wipers
• Three-point A/ELR rear centre seatbelt
• VDC – Vehicle Dynamics Control with Traction Control System
• Windscreen wiper de-icer
• Xenon HID headlights

Interior

• AM/FM radio/six stack CD player – MP3 compatible - with nine speakers and steering wheel controls
• Auxiliary RSE/AUX jack for portable music devices
• Cargo area light
• Cargo security blind (five seater)
• Cloth trim
• Cruise control
• Cup holders x 10
• Dual zone climate control air conditioning – dual rear air vents in five seat, four rear air vents in seven seat
• Eight-way adjustable power driver and front passenger seats
• Height adjustable steering column
• Immobiliser security system
• Intermittent wiper control
• Leather steering wheel with audio and cruise controls
• Leather gear shifter
• Map lights (5)
• Multi-function trip computer
• Power steering, mirrors and windows
• Two remote central locking keys
• Remote fuel lid release
• Satellite navigation and reversing camera
• Seat back storage pockets
• Second row seats centre armrest
• Seven seat (third row) option
• SPORTSHIFT five-speed automatic transmission
• UV protection glass
• Vanity mirrors (illuminated)
• 40/20/40 split/fold second row seat

Exterior

• 18 inch alloy wheels – space-saver spare
• Colour-coded mirrors
• Chrome finish door handles
• Dual exhaust
• Fog lamps - front
• Headlights auto off
• Rear roof spoiler
• Rear wiper – control with intermittent

Other features

• Auto tailgate unlock
• DataDot security technology
• Electronic throttle control
• Three-year unlimited kilometre warranty
• 3.6 litre six cylinder horizontally opposed boxer engine

Tribeca 3.6R Premium adds:

• Dual memory function for the eight-way adjustable power driver's seat
• Heated front seats
• Leather trim – choice of ivory or grey
• Electric sun-roof
• Rear seat DVD entertainment system with two sets of wireless headphones and remote controller
• Roof rails
• Seven seat (third row) option

MY08 Tribeca highlights

Value

• Comprehensively equipped yet competitively priced from $53,990 – range topper $60,990

Interior

• Choice of five or seven-seat cabins - simplified third row seat access in seven-seat models
• Larger rear quarter windows for better visibility – size up 30 per cent
• Satellite navigation
• Premium variants with DVD entertainment system + wireless headphones and remote control and electric sunroof
• Dual zone climate control air conditioning
• MP3 compatible six-stack nine-speaker in-dash CD stereo system
• Space for two mountain bikes with second and third row seats flat
• Under-floor cargo boxes
• Power, eight-way adjustable front seats – Premium models add heating, plus dual memory function driver's seat
• UV protection glass – windscreen allows zero UV penetration

Exterior

• New 10-spoke design 18-inch alloy wheels
• Revised headlights, bumpers, bonnet, grille, taillights, hatch, guards and rear quarter
• Roof rails on Premium variants

Engineering

• 2000 kg braked towing capacity with 160 kg download
• Lightweight SPORTSHIFT automatic five-speed transmission – smoother gear changes, weight down 3.7 kg
• Significant increases in power and torque – the all-new 3.6 litre engine is Subaru's largest ever, yet is lighter - produces 190 kW/ 6000 rpm, 350 Nm/4000 rpm
• Better economy – 11.6 litres/100 km v 12.4 in the superseded model
• Exhaust, cooling and power steering revised
• Recalibrated rear suspension for optimum ride comfort and handling - double wishbone rear suspension ensures optimum drivability
• Electronic Throttle Control
• Active Valve Control System (AVCS) and Varia ble Valve Lift, ensures optimum power and torque output
• Dual exhaust system for optimum efficiency

Safety

• Active head restraints
• ANCAP five-star crashworthiness rating for occupant safety
• Constant All-Wheel Drive
• Rear view camera
• Rollover sensor
• Dual front, side and curtain airbags
• Ring-shaped reinforcements around the cabin
• Brake Assist
• Vehicle Dynamics Control
• Xenon HID headlights

Tribeca MY08 Pricing

These are retail recommended prices and do not include dealer and statutory charges.

1Zero percent penetration of UV rays - front window shield. 2Compatible with video DVDs, video CDs and audio CDs. Not compatible with audio DVDs, MP3 and WMA. 3Mid-way lock function only available on seven seat variant. 43rd row of leather seat material - not full leather upholstery. 5SPORTSHIFT is a registered trademark of Prodrive Ltd.

1All performance data measured using 95RON. 2Ground clearance at unladen mass. 3Controlled testing conducted using 95RON as required by Australian Design Rule 81/01.4Fuel consumption measured according to the Australian Design Rule 81/01.

Subaru Australia reserves the right to change mechanical specifi cation and equipment levels without prior notice.