2008 Subaru Forester, Legacy, Outback Are EPA SmartWay Picks

2008 Subaru Forester, Legacy, Outback Are EPA SmartWay Picks

CHERRY HILL, N.J., August 16, 2007 -- Subaru of America, Inc. today announced that its 2008 PZEV (Partial Zero Emission Vehicles) Legacy, Outback and Forester 2.5 liter, naturally aspirated models have received the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) SmartWay certification and are now listed in its Green Vehicle Guide that recommends the cleanest and most fuel-efficient vehicle choices.
"Customers are increasingly concerned with the environmental performance of their vehicles," said Tim Mahoney, senior vice president and chief marketing officer, Subaru of America, Inc. "The EPA's website is a great source of information for car shoppers as it shows them the best vehicle to meet their needs. Subaru is pleased to be among the EPA's SmartWay choices and we continue to look for ways to reduce our impact on the earth while providing the fun, freedom, adventure, confidence and control that only a Subaru all-wheel drive vehicle can deliver."The EPA Green Vehicle Guide uses emission levels and fuel economy values to determine environmental scores for cars and trucks. Vehicles with very good or superior environmental scores are indicated with the SmartWay or SmartWay Elite designation. Every vehicle listed in this guide meets minimum federal emission and fuel economy requirements. Three pieces of information about a vehicle's environmental performance are presented: the Air Pollution Score, the Greenhouse Gas Score and, if eligible, the SmartWay or SmartWay Elite designation. Together, they give a complete picture of the relative environmental performance a vehicle is expected to achieve. The SmartWay and SmartWay Elite designations are assigned by the EPA to those vehicles that score well on both the Air Pollution and Greenhouse Gas Scores.To date, Subaru has sold more than 100,000 Subaru PZEV vehicles, which have 90 percent cleaner emissions than the average new vehicle. PZEV vehicles are the cleanest gasoline vehicles available today and they meet emissions standards that are sometimes even cleaner than some hybrid or alternative fuel vehicles. These vehicles have such tight pollution controls, with the burning of fuel so complete, that in very smoggy urban areas, exhaust out of the tailpipe can actually be cleaner than the air outside. For more information visit. http://www.epa.gov/OMSWWW/actions.htm.For more information on Subaru vehicles or to locate the nearest Subaru dealer visit www.subaru.com.

2008 Subaru Tribeca Gets Free Maintenance Up North

2008 Subaru Tribeca Gets Free Maintenance Up North

2008 Subaru Tribeca Gets Free Maintenance Up North
All eyes were on Subaru a couple of years ago, as the Japanese automaker unveiled its new minivan, the B9 Tribeca. After years of marketing small cars and wagons, the company was finally going to graduate to producing a larger vehicle -- its first minivan (or CUV, depending on how you view it).
From the inside, most people liked it; in fact, it even won awards for its interior styling. As for the exterior, that's a different story. You either loved it or hated it -- and more people expressed the latter sentiment.Subaru heard the public's disdain for the Tribeca's quirky styling, so for 2008, it has toned down the styling somewhat, replacing its previous nose with something that looks faintly Chrysler Sebring-esque. It also dropped the B9 part of the name for 2008, although we'd suggest simply spelling out that first part of the name to emphasize the restyling: Call it the Benign Tribeca, instead. But, for now, it's simply Tribeca.Whether you live in that New York City neighborhood or not, you'll notice that for 2008, a power tilt wheel, powered moonroof, Xenon headlights, and roof rails have been added as standard features. These complement already-existing features such as power mirrors with integrated LED turn signals, audio controls integrated into a leather-wrapped wheel with, dual-zone HVA/C, front seats that are not only power adjustable but heated, and a six-speaker satellite-ready AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system.The Limited package adds leather seating, a touch-screen navigation system, a rear-view camera, and a DVD screen with headphones for the rear-seat passengers. For the top-of-the-line Premier package, you get everything in the Limited, plus a 50/50 split third-row seat.However, the one feature that will undoubtedly catch potential buyers' eyes is the three years of prepaid service and maintenance on every new 2008 Tribeca. This is not an extra-cost warranty; it's included in the price of the vehicle -- and it might be an incentive that helps sell the car, in addition to the new, more refined styling.[Editors' Note: At the time of this post, Subaru has not officially confirmed if the prepaid service and maintenance package will be offered in the U.S.

Subaru Impreza Leads May Sales With Double-Digits

Subaru Impreza Leads May Sales With Double-Digits

Subaru Impreza Leads May Sales With Double-Digits
CHERRY HILL, N.J., June 1, 2007 -- Subaru of America, Inc. today reported May sales of 16,282 total units. Sales of the Impreza model were up 26 percent over the same period last year.
Subaru sales are gaining momentum," said Tim Colbeck, vice president of sales, Subaru of America, Inc. "We anticipate this momentum to continue as the new 2008 Legacy, Tribeca and Impreza models draw dealer showroom traffic this summer."Subaru Tribeca posted 1,166 units for the month. Subaru Legacy recorded 7,159 unit sales, while the Outback accounted for 5,206 units of that line for the month. Subaru Forester recorded 3,871 units in May, while Baja posted 105 units for the month. The Subaru Impreza line, including the Impreza WRX, posted another double digit gain over last year with 3,981 units sold in May.

2008 Subaru Tribeca Sees Ten Stars In Safety

2008 Subaru Tribeca Sees Ten Stars In Safety

2008 Subaru Tribeca Sees Ten Stars In Safety
CHERRY HILL, N.J., May, 15, 2007 -- Subaru of America, Inc today announced that the restyled and more powerful 2008 Subaru Tribeca received the highest rating in the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) crash tests.
The Subaru Tribeca received 5-stars in both the frontal and side-impact crash tests for both the driver and passenger seating positions. "Safety is a true hallmark of the Subaru brand and the Subaru Tribeca offers our customers the peace of mind of a comprehensive, proven safety package," said Tom Doll, executive vice president, Subaru of America, Inc. "Innovative structural design, plus advanced active safety technologies, combined with Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC), our version of stability control - make Tribeca a safety performance standout in its segment."NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) provides consumers with vehicle safety information, primarily front and side crash test results, and more recently rollover ratings, to aid consumers in their vehicle purchase decisions. The test results are relayed to consumers via an easily recognizable star rating system -- from 1 to 5 stars, with 5 being the highest. The NCAP crash tests are conducted at speeds higher than required by the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for both side impacts, at 38.5 miles per hour, and full frontal barrier impacts, at 35 miles per hour. The tests are done to compare vehicles for the NHTSA Consumer Information Program and the results can be found at www.nhtsa.dot.gov.Like all Subaru models, the 2008 Tribeca has been optimized for both active safety (the technology to help the driver avoid hazardous situations) and passive safety (the systems that help protect occupants in the event of a collision). Subaru Active SafetyThe active safety concept for the Subaru Tribeca combines "right size" proportions, with inherently crisp, agile driving responses and dynamic handling systems. Notably, the Tribeca is equipped with the company's most advanced version of Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, combining Variable Torque Distribution (VTD) All-Wheel Drive with Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) stability control and four-wheel traction control (TCS). This combination of technologies along with its standard double-wishbone rear suspension endows the Tribeca with outstanding nimbleness and all-weather grip. Just as important, is the specific way that Subaru has integrated these technologies, resulting in one of the most effective traction and handling systems on the market today. VDC is a highly sophisticated stability control system that actively controls the center differential's power distribution by means of a continuously variable hydraulic transfer clutch. The system distributes torque to the appropriate wheel based on input from steering wheel angle, yaw and lateral g-force sensors. It also monitors input from the ABS brake system, adjusting individual wheel braking as needed, helping to maintain vehicle control under a variety of driving conditions. The 2008 Tribeca also features a 4-channel/4-sensor ABS braking system with Emergency Brake Assist. Emergency Brake Assist analyzes force and stroke on the brake pedal and increases hydraulic boost to provide enhanced emergency braking. A direct tire-pressure monitoring system and Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) are also standard. The EBD system automatically adjusts front/rear brake proportioning based on vehicle load and is more effective than conventional brake proportioning valves.Visibility EnhancersFor improved visibility, the redesigned 2008 Tribeca features larger rear quarter windows, plus new side mirrors with 50 percent larger viewing area. Tribeca Limited models with the optional touch-screen navigation system include a rear vision camera. When the driver moves the transmission shift handle into reverse, the center color LCD display will show what the camera lens can detect within its field of vision behind the vehicle. The screen view also features distance/width guidelines to assist the driver in backing up the vehicle.Customers can also order reverse assist sensors as an optional accessory for any Tribeca model. Ultrasonic sensors mounted in the rear bumper detect objects behind the Tribeca and emit an audible tone as the vehicle gets closer to the object behind it.Subaru Passive SafetyThe foundation for passive safety in the Tribeca, and in all Subaru vehicles, is the proven Subaru Ring Frame Reinforced vehicle architecture. The ring frame reinforced unibody structure with a front-end configuration disperses collision energy in three directions. This design forms a series of "rings" around the passenger compartment, providing protection in a variety of collision types. High-strength steel reinforced center pillars enhance side impact protection, which is further bolstered by optimally positioned side-impact door beams. The Subaru Boxer engine contributes to safety, because it allows more crush room in front impacts. Subaru vehicles are designed to allow the entire powertrain to slide under the car along the floor tunnel in a severe collision, helping to prevent intrusion into the passenger compartment. In the rear, the spare tire is mounted underneath the vehicle to avoid intrusion into the passenger compartment. Additionally, a specially-designed "M-frame" structure protects occupants with added reinforcement in the event of a rear collision.Advanced Air Bag SystemsThe heightened focus on side impact safety continues inside, where the Tribeca features standard front seat side impact air bags for thorax-area protection, and curtain side air bags (front and middle rows) for head and rollover protection. Mounted in the upper sides of the front seatbacks, the front seat side-impact air bags offer protection regardless of seat position. The curtain side air bags deploy from the headliner. Sensors in the vehicle determine if an impact engages the center pillar (deploying side air bags, belt tensioners and curtain air bags) or just the rear seat area (deploying curtain air bags). Special sensing and algorithms also will deploy and maintain the side curtain inflation when a potential rollover is detected.The Subaru advanced frontal air bag system (SRS) uses dual-stage-deployment driver and front passenger air bags. A position sensor on the driver's seat track detects if the driver is sitting too close to the air bag, in which case the system would delay deployment of the air bag's second stage. The system also takes input from a seatbelt buckle switch, to determine if the driver is using the belt. The passenger side front seat incorporates an occupant detection system that measures weight on the passenger seat -- determining the presence of a child or adult -- to control air bag deployment. In addition, the system takes input from a seatbelt tension sensor installed in the seatbelt anchor, as well as a seatbelt buckle sensor. If the system determines "empty seat" or "child" (based on weight thresholds), it sets the front air bag not to deploy and illuminates the "air bag off" indicator. If an adult is detected, the air bag will be set to deploy and the "air bag on" light illuminates.All seating positions in the Tribeca feature a three-point seatbelt. The belt for the second-row middle passenger deploys from an anchor located in the headliner. All Subaru models incorporate electrically triggered pre-tensioners and force limiters in the front three-point seatbelts. These systems work together to gradually restrain the occupants and absorb the impact energy of a frontal collision. The seatbelt pre-tensioners operate simultaneously with the front air bags and cinch the front seatbelts to help restrain the driver and front passenger in their seats. Additionally, the mechanically operated torsion-bar force-limiters extend the belts to reduce the belt forces on the occupants' torsos. The seatbelt mechanism also absorbs energy through internal deformation. The Subaru Tribeca also comes standard with active front head restraints that are designed to help reduce potential whiplash injury in a rear collision. A safety brake pedal system and impact-absorbing driver's footrest are also used to help reduce lower leg injury in a frontal collision.In addition to these active and passive safety features, the 2008 Subaru Tribeca, launched at the 2007 New York International Auto Show, features more style and power. The vehicle boasts a new 3.6-liter engine that delivers 256 horsepower and 247 lb.-ft. of torque on unleaded regular gas. The exterior design of the new Tribeca is both streamlined and powerful, with a new, wider and taller grille, new front fenders and new hood design. In fact, all exterior sheetmetal is all-new for 2008 with the exception of the front/rear side doors. The grille is now integrated into the front bumper, featuring a new chrome spread-wing design.