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When Subaru debuted its first 7-passenger SUV—the B9 Tribeca—there was much praise for the interior styling; however, the front-end design was not as widely accepted. Subaru listened, and for 2008 the Tribeca (B9 has been removed from the name) gets an all-new face as well as a number of additional updates. The most notable change aside from the new styling is under the hood. A new 3.6-liter boxer engine boasts increased horsepower and, even more importantly, better low-end torque. This makes the Tribeca more responsive, further enhanced by the revised 5-speed automatic transmission. The new engine no longer requires premium fuel, which can considerably lower fuel costs. The Tribeca’s interior also receives a number of updates including improved access to the third-row seats. Also getting a fresh new look is the all-new 2008 Impreza. Available as a 4-door sedan or 5-door hatchback (replacing the wagon), the Impreza gets all new styling both inside and out. The interior has been upgraded from its predecessor with obvious influence from the Tribeca. Impreza will be sold as a 2.5i or the performance-oriented WRX. Both the normally aspirated and turbocharged versions of the 2.5-liter boxer engine have been revised to produce peak torque at lower rpm as well as reducing emissions and increasing fuel economy. The 2008 Subaru Impreza is scheduled to reach showrooms in late summer. No information or on-sale date has been announced for the much-anticipated WRX STi.
