Subaru To Give Away Almost 100 New Tribecas

Subaru is 'giving away' almost 100 new B9 Tribecas plus Bluetooth hands-free 'phone kits - to its dealers.

The cars will be kept by Subaru dealers for six months and loaned for up to seven days to key potential customers.

Target prospects include business owners and professionals - especially owners of the BMW X5, Volvo XC90, Porsche Cayenne and VW Touareg.

Harvey France, Subaru National Fleet and Used Car Sales Manager, said: "We are putting our money where our mouth is as we believe the best way of establishing Tribeca is to allow people to drive it to appreciate its outstanding chassis dynamics and refinement."

Meanwhile, the Tribeca - which entered dealer showrooms this November - was recently awarded a top-scoring crash test rating.

The Australasian New Car Assessment Programme (ANCAP) gave the premium SUV a maximum 5-stars in its rigorous independent accident assessment programme.

ANCAP's 5-star overall evaluation comprised frontal and side-impact crash tests and follows a similar top rating by America's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

In the latest ANCAP tests, the Tribeca scored 33.07 out of a maximum 37 points. For example, the Subaru's performance in side-impact tests was outstanding with a maximum 4-stars for head, chest, abdomen and pelvis.

Priced from a highly competitive £28,995 on-the-road, the new Tribeca features a 3.0 litre 245 PS six-cylinder horizontally-opposed engine, five-speed automatic gearbox and full-time symmetrical all-wheel drive and Subaru Vehicle Dynamics Control (SVDC).

UK Tribecas are available in two 5-seat trim levels comprising 3.0 S5 and 3.0 SE5 and one 7-seat luxury-spec version, the 3.0 SE7.

Standard equipment for all models includes dual-zone air-conditioning, eight-way powered front seats, front, side and curtain airbags, six-disc CD autochanger with nine speakers and MP3 playback and a leather-covered steering wheel with remote audio controls.