The new look Tribeca gets away from the so-called 'droopy' look.
In one of the quickest makeovers in automotive history, Subaru has given its all-wheel-drive Tribeca sports utility vehicle a whole new front end in an effort to counter the vehicle's much-criticised "droopy" face.
But reaction to the new look at the New York motor show unveiling was as mixed as it was to the original.
"You don't have to be on crack to buy the Tribeca now," said one show-goer. "It's gone from ugly to boring - but bland cars are big business."
Another said: "Okay, so the old one wasn't pretty. But it had character and was different. This one looks like a Chrysler or Hyundai - it's become a no-name."
The mainstream look is intentional. Subaru made it clear soon after the vehicle was launched that it would abandon the Tribeca's aeronautical theme in line with the rest of the carmaker's range.
The new look was in place in the company's design centre in Japan even before the Tribeca went on sale in New Zealand last year.
The aircraft fuselage and wings grille motif has been replaced by a more conventional large grille with horizontal bars topped by the Subaru logo. Wider, narrower headlights replace the triangular, swept-back units. The bonnet has changed too.
The Tribeca is based on a bigger version of the Outback platform. Subaru launched the vehicle in the US in 2005. The name is short for Triangle Below Canal St, a cutting-edge area of New York's Manhattan.
It was meant to convey that the Tribeca was cool, different, distinctive. But Subaru was too late with the car and the look - the hip area moved from Canal St to a district under the Manhattan Bridge overpass, known as Dumbo for short.
Therein lies another story. New Yorkers are joking that the original Tribeca should have been called Dumbo, after the elephant. They say it looked like an sad elephant. The only thing missing in the front was Dumbo's trunk - that's around the back in US-speak.
Changes to the Tribeca's exterior haven't been restricted to the front. The rear-end gets new three-quarter windows and tail-lights. The interior has also been given a makeover.
Apart from the front end, the most significant change is to the engine. The Tribeca's 3-litre six-cylinder horizontally opposed unit has been replaced by Subaru's largest-ever powerplant, a 3.6-litre boxer producing 190kW (255bhp) of power and 334Nm of torque.
The bigger engine is mated to a revised five-speed automatic gearbox with manual mode. Subaru says the Sportshift unit produces faster shifts and weighs less than the current version.
The combination will answer criticism about the current set-up - that the engine is okay everywhere except hill country, where it lacks low-down power, thereby forcing the gearbox to hunt for an efficient gear. Subaru is saying the 3.6-litre is 10 per cent more fuel efficient than the existing 3-litre.
The new Tribeca will go on sale in New Zealand early next year. No word on any price movement on the current model's $72,990.
Subaru also unveiled the new US-spec Impreza line-up, including the go-fast WRX.
The five-door hatch is moving upmarket with a more stylish design to appeal more to women buyers and break into the European hatch market.
Subaru says the new all-wheel-drive Impreza is larger than the current car and offers more comfort, safety and features while retaining the trademark handling and performance.
"Our current Impreza sales are running at more than 90 per cent hatches of the total volume, said Chris Rickards, the general manager of Subaru of New Zealand.
"More than 60 per cent of Impreza purchases are either made by women or influenced by women.
"Increasingly we are finding women seeking style and performance as well as safety in their new car purchase.
"This third generation Subaru Impreza is a huge leap forward in the key areas of design, engineering, safety and quality."
The New York Imprezas give some pointers to what New Zealand may expect when the line-up - including the WRX - is launched here in September. The go-faster STi will be here next year.
Initially, the Impreza will be available only as a hatch. Sedan models will follow later in the car's life cycle.
The Impreza WRX is lighter than the current version while producing more torque at lower revs, resulting in smoother power delivery, improved drivability, fuel efficiency and lower emissions, says Subaru.
Maximum torque in the WRX comes in 800rpm earlier than the current car.
The Boxer engine in the new Impreza also sits lower in the chassis, further lowering the centre of gravity.
Naturally aspirated engines in New Zealand Imprezas will differ from US versions.
All Imprezas feature new double-wishbone rear suspension.
There's less intrusion into the cargo area, producing a wider and deeper luggage compartment. Subaru says the suspension also reduces noise and vibration levels for a smoother, quieter ride.
Inside, the Impreza has a sweeping twin-cockpit design with aluminium-style highlights.
Headroom is improved and shoulder room is also up by 5cm. Doors open wider for easier entry and exit, while rear seat legroom is also significantly improved.
Framed windows are introduced on the Impreza, also enhancing body rigidity and reducing noise levels.
Like all New Zealand-new Subarus, the 2008 Impreza will feature DataDot security and engine immobilisers across the range, as well as alarms and deadlocks in the higher specification models.
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