Suburu unveils new All-Wheel Drive Tribeca at NY Auto Show
Click on the image for Autoblog's gallery of high-res images of the 2008 Subaru Tribeca.
Subaru has taken the wraps off its new Tribeca All-Wheel Drive SUV at the New York Auto Show. Featuring more generic, but easier-on-the-eye looks and a new fully revised interior, the 2008 model's green credentials are all under the hood. Subaru are introducing their largest ever engine to power the Tribeca in the form of a 3.6-litre horizontally opposed six cylinder that produces 190 kW / 255 hp and 334 Nm / 246 ft-lbs of torque.
Despite the increase from the previous 3.0-litre unit, the new, larger engine maintains emission levels and improves fuel economy. Part of the efficiency improvement is due to the introduction of a Dual Active Valve Control System (Dual AVCS) which controls the timing of both the intake and exhaust valves, along with a revised automatic transmission and a weight reduction of the powertrain by 4.4 kg / 9.7 lbs.
Analysis: It's great to see Subaru improve the fuel efficiency of the Tribeca. I would have liked to see what they could have done with a 3.0-litre engine instead of increasing its size to 3.6-litres though. Increasing the power and torque of new models is clearly still an important selling point in the eyes of the auto makers. How much longer will we live in a world where maintaining emissions from generation to generation is considered acceptable?
Related:
[Source: Subaru press release]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jack S. 12:14PM (4/09/2007)
sure, like a 3.0L diesel. The torque output is a joke compared to an equivalent diesel engine which would/could be well north of 300 ft-lb without even breaking a sweat.
When will auto manufacturers figure out that gas engines are the worst powerplant EVER for heavy vehicles?
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MikeW 5:00PM (4/09/2007)
Where is the 6 speed automatic?
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Joseph 10:19PM (4/09/2007)
I find it amazing how car makers make their cars more powerful every year yet are somehow able to keep the fuel economy. I'd like to see what kind of mpg can be done if they decrease the horsepower a bit.
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Joseph 10:19PM (4/09/2007)
I find it amazing how car makers make their cars more powerful every year yet are somehow able to keep the fuel economy. I'd like to see what kind of mpg can be done if they decrease the horsepower a bit.
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Guenther 12:59PM (4/10/2007)
It has a 5 speed. Relax.
Bigger displacement is actually beneficial to emissions in this case, because it allows the transmission to stay in a higher gear for longer. A flat-6 diesel would definitely be cool in this thing, but I'd settle for an Impreza Hatch w/ the 2l 4cyl diesel.
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MikeW 9:01PM (4/11/2007)
http://www.caranddriver.com/roadtests/9636/2006-subaru-b9-tribeca-limited-page4.html
If Subaru just said the heck with it, our engine is fine, we are not waiting on JATCO, we will just use something from ZF, 6hp19 perhaps.
4.171, 2.34, 1.521, 1.143, 0.867, 0.691 Reverse 3.403.
Shorten the axle ratio from 3.583 to ~4.111 (say taken from a manual transmission)
1st-30mph@~6750rpm (a rocket off the line)
2nd-55mph@~6900 (good for around town)
3rd-89mph@7000 (perfect for improving 1/4 mile performance)
4th-115mph@6800
5th-210kph (130.5mph)@5800 (H rated tire speed rating)
6th-an even 28mph per 1000 rpm, (probably just enough power to reach 130mph)
The old reverse is only 2.764, so the new reverse gives better control if you actual go off road.
Since gas is so expensive the percentage extra for premium over regular is small (and getting smaller) so it would be wise to make more engines take premium (more compression ratio / or spark advance) to extract as much heat energy as possible.
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