New flagship vehicle arrives at Subaru dealerships beginning late May -

CHERRY HILL, N.J., April 1 -- Subaru of America, Inc. today announced the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca that will arrive in dealer showrooms beginning in late May.

"Subaru has again created a category of one with the all-new progressive SUV, the 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca," said Fred Adcock, executive vice president, Subaru of America, Inc. "There is no other midsize SUV in the industry that can deliver this kind of value with a premium level of driving performance, safety and standard features such as Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, sophisticated stability control, and side curtain air bags."

The all-new Subaru B9 Tribeca features an all-new design theme, delivering added style to the capability, safety and durability Subaru is so well-known for. The Subaru B9 Tribeca is a progressively designed SUV that combines the fun-to-drive handling, maneuverability and fuel efficiency found in Subaru sport wagons with the roominess and capability of an SUV. The Subaru B9 Tribeca is available in both seven passenger and five passenger models.

Standard Equipment

As standard equipment, the 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca features the light and compact 3.0-liter DOHC horizontally opposed (boxer) six-cylinder engine with intake variable valve lift timing (VVL) that delivers 250 hp and 219 lb-ft. of torque. The engine is mounted to a standard five-speed automatic transmission equipped with SPORTSHIFT(R), coupled with Variable Torque Distribution (VTD) and Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC).

This vehicle also comes standard with seven-spoke, 18 x 8-inch aluminum alloy wheels, and power-assisted four-wheel disc brakes with ventilated front and rear discs. Standard safety features include dual front, side seat and curtain airbags, and four-channel / four-sensor Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD). For added comfort and convenience, the Subaru B9 Tribeca comes standard with dual-zone automatic climate control, tilt/slide tinted-glass moon roof with sliding shade, electroluminescent gauges, 100W single CD AM/FM stereo with six speakers and MP3 audio file compatibility, power driver (eight-way), and passenger (four- way) seat controls with lumbar support adjustment, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift ****, 40/20/40 folding rear seat backrest, deep-tinted privacy glass on rear side and lift-gate, and HomeLink(R).

Five-Passenger Models

The base Subaru B9 Tribeca five-passenger model will feature all of the above standard equipment at an MSRP of $30,695. Also available, is the Subaru B9 Tribeca Limited model, which adds leather seat surfaces for front and second rows, 160-Watt AM/FM stereo with six-disc in-dash CD changer, MP3 audio file compatibility, eight upgraded speakers and rear sub-woofer (nine speakers total). Also included in the Limited models are three-mode heated front seats for an MSRP of $32,295.

Seven-Passenger Models

The Subaru B9 Tribeca seven-passenger comes standard with all five- passenger base model equipment plus: 50/50 split fold-down, third-row seat with integral headrests and carpeted back surface, auxiliary rear cabin air conditioner with rotary fan speed control in second row, and three-mode heated front seats. The base Subaru B9 Tribeca seven-passenger model will have an MSRP of $32,395.

Also available is a Subaru B9 Tribeca Limited seven-passenger model that adds leather seat surfaces for front and second rows, 160-Watt AM/FM stereo with six-disc in-dash CD changer, MP3 audio file compatibility, eight upgraded speakers and rear sub-woofer (nine speakers total). The Subaru B9 Tribeca Limited seven-passenger model also includes three-mode heated front seats for an MSRP of $33,895.

In addition, a factory installed rear seat DVD entertainment system with nine-inch, wide-screen LCD, two sets of wireless headphones, remote control and auxiliary input for video games will be available on both the seven- passenger base and the Limited seven-passenger models for an MSRP increase of $1800. Also a touch-screen GPS navigation system will be available on the Limited seven-passenger model for an MSRP increase of $2000.

All Subaru B9 Tribeca models are available with either a Slate Gray or a Desert Beige interior. The exterior color selection for the Subaru B9 Tribeca will include: Atlantic Blue Pearl, Champagne Gold Pearl, Mahogany Red Pearl, Obsidian Black Pearl, Satin White Pearl, Seacrest Green Metallic, and Titanium Silver Metallic.

Prices listed do not include destination and delivery charges, licenses and state or local taxes. Destination and delivery charges for the Subaru B9 Tribeca are $625 for all 2006 model year vehicles (Alaska deliveries are $725). Independent distributor's destination and delivery rates may vary; prices are subject to change without notice.

 

Looks like they are going to run, price-wise, right around what the top-of-the-line L.L Bean , VDC, and Turbo / GT Outbacks and Legacys do.
I will withhold comment on this vehicle (Tribeca) until I have seen it and test-driven it....I have not had a chance to do so yet....though I saw the auto show pictures. I WILL say, though, that I am SO impressed with the 2005 Legacy / Outback that this vehicle will certainly have its work cut out for it.

 

Can they also announce a redesign too, please??

 

Actually I don't think it looks that bad in person when I saw it at the NYIAS...the prices doesn't seem too bad however.