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THE Subaru Tribeca, the Japanese brand’s seven-seat SUV, appears set for a return in 2017 to take on the likes of the Mazda CX-9. However, it could bypass Australia altogether.
The reason? Its likely low production volume and the fact it won’t be built in Japan mean a right-hand-drive version of the full-sized three-row crossover due in 2018 is unlikely to ever pay its way.
According to Subaru, the next-generation Tribeca’s likely sole source of production – Lafayette, Indiana – and the low volumes and high costs associated with making the engineering changes to suit markets such as Australia both count against it.
“You must understand we do 600,000 units in the USA plus another 50,000 units in Canada, while in Australia it’s just 50,000 annually.
“So developing right-hand drive … we are not sure if it is viable. There are no immediate plans for right-hand drive.”
That’s a shame, because the Subaru Viziv 7 concept vehicle shown at the Los Angeles Auto Show seems to right all the wrongs of the B9 Tribeca sold in Australia for about seven years from 2006. (Before you get too confused about the concept’s name, “Viziv 7” stands for “Vision Innovative seven-seater” – that’s just what the show-car is called; the 2018 production version’s name remains a tightly held secret.)
Cabin space, naturally, is the welcome upshot, addressing the Tribeca’s tight third row seats and lack of luggage capacity.
Interestingly, the production Viziv 7 will be built on the all-new (and much improved) 2017 Subaru Impreza’s platform, so expect to see a variety of horizontally opposed four-cylinder turbo petrol engines. Whether there will also be a ‘boxer’ six remains to be seen.
This new architecture was engineered for electrification, so we’ll be betting our bottom dollar that a petrol-electric hybrid is also in the works.
“The concept expresses our core brand values; safety, dependability, capability for outdoor activities and a forward looking attitude,” Tachimori said.
“We know customers in this segment want a full-sized vehicle, and the next three-row from Subaru will be the biggest Subaru vehicle ever.”
The previous version of the Tribeca, sold here between 2006-13 was also built in the US and exported to Australia.
