Aussies join push for Subaru Tribeca replacement

Subaru Australia has joined the global call from the brand's various distributors for a seven-seat SUV to replace the Tribeca in the Japanese company's product lineup.

But while local managing director Nick Senior says "the Tribeca is a gap we would like to have filled" and that the business case numbers are still being crunched, such a vehicle may have already been green lighted.

"I have been told there is a huge amount of interest from distributors around the world in having a Tribeca replacement," Senior told motoring.com.au. "We share that enthusiasm absolutely.

"My last understanding – and I haven't been to Japan for a couple of months – is they are still doing the business case."

US trade paper Automotive News quoted Yasuyuki Yoshinaga, the president of Subaru's parent Fuji Heavy Industries, as saying the vehicle could be here as soon as 2016.

"I've received very strong requests from US dealers for a multi-passenger, seven-seat vehicle," Yoshinaga told AN in late 2013. "It's not an easy development plan for us. But we are studying how to make it happen. And we are planning to introduce it to the US market.

"We have a very specific annual product development plan. Therefore, please don't expect the introduction of a completely new vehicle either next year or the year after next."

The Tribeca first went on-sale in Australia in 2006 and copped criticism straight away for the lack of performance from its 3.0-litre boxer six-cylinder engine, challenging looks and cramped interior space. It was significantly updated with a bigger 3.6-litre engine, more acceptable styling and better third row access in late 2007.

But it never hit significant heights in sales terms, selling just 958 examples in 2012 and 1326 in 2012. It ceased production in the USA in January.

Senior will get the chance for an update on the Tribeca replacement and its progress towards production when he visits FHI in May. It's a big trip because he is also looking to progress the case to get the Levorg wagon /news/2013/subaru/tokyo-motor-show-subaru-oz-wants-levorg-40131 signed off for Australia.

The appeal of a Tribeca replacement is obvious, given the continuing boom in soft-roader SUV sales and Subaru's strength in that market area with the XV, Forester and – to a lesser extent – the Liberty-based Outback, which is overhauled in the new year .

"That prestige end of the SUV market is one that I would like us to continue to play in," said Senior.

"It's important because we have fairly logical steps for people who come into the Subaru brand, whether it be XV or Impreza, and then go into the Liberty or Forester/Outback. And when they get kids and they move in to a seven seater ... my fear is if we don't have something there they will leave the brand and it will be hard to get them back.

"So that's why I want a seven seat SUV."  

There has been speculation the Tribeca replacement will be a pumped up version of the Exiga people-mover like the Crossover 7 concept shown at the Tokyo show last year, but Senior dismissed that.

"My preference would be to have a complete Tribeca replacement that operates in the space of true seven-seaters and is probably the pinnacle of the range in terms of the SUVs," Senior said.

There are also suggestions the Viziv family of concepts previews Subaru's styling ideas for this vehicle as well as a turbo-diesel hybrid powertrain.

"To be honest I am not sure where all the Vizivs are going to be," added Senior. "But I know they are going to be a bit of a window into the Subaru showroom of the future."