Next to nothing has been announced regarding the Subaru Viziv Concept, but there’s plenty of room for speculation. Given that the Forester, Impreza and BRZ are new enough and the Outback was recently updated, the next in line for a change (or outright removal) is the Subaru Tribeca. The Subaru Tribeca has been out since 2006 with one significant exterior design change since its introduction.
The Subaru Tribeca is the only vehicle in their North American fleet that has an option for a third row seat. To be rather honest, it’s a third row that is most inhospitable for adults. It’s reserved for small folk – only. The rest of the current Subaru Tribeca is somewhat disappointing compared to the rest of Subaru’s fleet.
Aside from an aesthetically pleasing to look at interior, the whole package just can’t justify its price over vehicles it competes with, like the Ford Explorer, Nissan Pathfinder, Dodge Durango and Toyota Highlander – to name a few. These vehicles out perform and out class the long-in-tooth Subaru Tribeca.
The Subaru Viziv Concept could confirm a few things:
Subaru is moving away from the old six-cylinder/H6 power plant and may be looking at turbocharging more of their H4 engines.
Continuously variable transmissions (CVT) are the cat’s meow as far as Subaru is concerned. It’s entirely possible that the turbocharged H4 that’s bundled with the ‘Lineartronic’ CVT in the new Subaru Forester could find its way into the Subaru Viziv Concept, and, thus – into the next Subaru Tribeca.
Subaru’s new turbocharged diesel horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine is supposed to be a dynamo. Perhaps the Subaru Viziv will have the ability to utilize an oil-burner too?
Granted, all of this is wild speculation. Subaru will officially unveil the Subaru Viziv Concept on March 5th 2013 at the Geneva Motor Show.
I’ll update this speculation then.
Until then, enjoy this TFLCar video of the first drive of the Subaru Forester !
I sure hope Subaru gives the Tribeca a new life. There was so much potential with the current one that left so many wanting.
