Tribeca II: The Sequel
Popular opinion can be a powerful force
Collingwood, ON - Once a car manufacturer jumps in with both feet and produces a car, they can't exactly test it out with prospective customers and then make quick and radical changes based on the feedback they receive. Some people at Subaru probably wish they could. The company's former chief designer, Andreas Zapatinas, probably wishes the same.
The issue at hand: the wildly polarizing, aircraft-inspired front grille design which debuted on the then brand-new Subaru B9 Tribeca in 2005. The grille, which featured a bold, rounded centre section flanked by wing-like appendages, was later incorporated into the Impreza line.
The design was intended to become the new face of Subaru, but the response was so negative, the manufacturer was forced to abandon it completely. As a result, Zapatinas either resigned or was fired late last year. (The designer had introduced similarly bold designs during his earlier tenure with Alfa Romeo, although the Subaru face may not have come directly from his pen.)
The new face of Tribeca
Thus, we arrive at the 2008 Subaru Tribeca, the SUV that's undergone an extreme makeover. While the face of the original B9 Tribeca was nothing if not original, the revised Tribeca (the "B9" has also been dropped) looks commonplace. In fact, with its long chrome-stripped grille, the Tribeca now seems as if it emerged from a Chrysler assembly line.
But the changes don't stop there. The new Subaru also features a new hood, front bumper, front fenders, HID headlights, rear bumper, tail lamps, tailgate, roof rail system, side-view mirrors and rear quarter windows. The final two alterations were made in response to another complaint about the original Tribeca: poor visibility. They do represent a functional improvement, but the larger mirrors are inelegant at best.
It's easy to understand the decision to remake the Tribeca. With its distinctive nose, the original was destined to remain a niche vehicle. Subaru wants to grow their brand significantly in all market segments - and that strategy leaves no room for niche vehicles. That said, I think the first-generation Tribeca is a far more interesting design.
Popular opinion can be a powerful force
Collingwood, ON - Once a car manufacturer jumps in with both feet and produces a car, they can't exactly test it out with prospective customers and then make quick and radical changes based on the feedback they receive. Some people at Subaru probably wish they could. The company's former chief designer, Andreas Zapatinas, probably wishes the same.
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| The original face of the 2005 B9 Tribeca has been replaced by a more commonplace fascia. |
The issue at hand: the wildly polarizing, aircraft-inspired front grille design which debuted on the then brand-new Subaru B9 Tribeca in 2005. The grille, which featured a bold, rounded centre section flanked by wing-like appendages, was later incorporated into the Impreza line.
The design was intended to become the new face of Subaru, but the response was so negative, the manufacturer was forced to abandon it completely. As a result, Zapatinas either resigned or was fired late last year. (The designer had introduced similarly bold designs during his earlier tenure with Alfa Romeo, although the Subaru face may not have come directly from his pen.)
The new face of Tribeca
Thus, we arrive at the 2008 Subaru Tribeca, the SUV that's undergone an extreme makeover. While the face of the original B9 Tribeca was nothing if not original, the revised Tribeca (the "B9" has also been dropped) looks commonplace. In fact, with its long chrome-stripped grille, the Tribeca now seems as if it emerged from a Chrysler assembly line.
But the changes don't stop there. The new Subaru also features a new hood, front bumper, front fenders, HID headlights, rear bumper, tail lamps, tailgate, roof rail system, side-view mirrors and rear quarter windows. The final two alterations were made in response to another complaint about the original Tribeca: poor visibility. They do represent a functional improvement, but the larger mirrors are inelegant at best.
It's easy to understand the decision to remake the Tribeca. With its distinctive nose, the original was destined to remain a niche vehicle. Subaru wants to grow their brand significantly in all market segments - and that strategy leaves no room for niche vehicles. That said, I think the first-generation Tribeca is a far more interesting design.
 |
| The Tribeca's new taillights are only a small part of the SUV's comprehensive makeover. |