Mazda Tribute looks like a wagon but moves like a sports car
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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PROVO, Utah -- A flat asphalt expanse in a parking lot on the campus of Brigham Young University contained a snaky circuit of close-set orange plastic pylons, and we used this autocross course to push a new compact-class sport-utility wagon through some hard-wrapped corners, twisty slalom esses and tight right-left-right chicanes in order to see how well it handles adverse pavement maneuvers.
Run a lumbering sport-ute wagon over an autocross route customarily reserved for agile sports cars?
Well, it's not an exercise recommended for the usual wagon, but the new Tribute by Mazda of Japan is not the typical hulk of a sport-utility box.
Designers from Mazda -- a company steeped in the production of sporty cars like the Miata roadster and RX-7 hatchback -- constructed this new wagon atop the chassis of a front-wheel-drive car rather than the conventional wagon's rear-wheel-drive truck platform, then they equipped it with lively independent suspension elements and crisp rack and pinion steering to fashion a ride quality that's smooth and comfortable for passengers yet also nimble and responsive.
As a result, Tribute behaves with the spirit of a sports car.
Running the cones on that autocross course, we proved at the least that it holds a firm line through all curves without undue sway or roll of the body. Our Tribute danced around the Provo track, executing nimble maneuvers with all engine muscle directed to the wheels in front -- the ones that also steer.
This ability of the wheels to both turn and steer the wagon makes it quite agile, and entirely predictable.
Front-wheel-drive orientation isn't the only reason this new Mazda scores as a unique sport-utility vehicle. Its monocoque platform -- a distinct departure from the normal wagon with the body bolted on top of a frame -- produces an integrated structure that's extremely rigid when set to the dynamics of motion.
A long wheelbase of 103.1 inches fosters the smooth ride quality while a generous wheel track of 61 inches in front and 60.2 inches in back adds stability for turning.
Out-of-the-ordinary independent suspension components include front struts and a multi-link rear design with double lateral supports and trailing arms. Of special note, the roll center point in front has been set lower than in the rear, which tips the weight balance slightly toward the front wheels so a Tribute driver feels more direct response from the steering wheel.
Further, the Tribute brings an optional four-wheel-drive traction system that eliminates the conventional viscous-coupling torque distributor of the typical SUV in favor of an innovative rotary blade coupling that can sense when front wheels begin to slip and automatically redirect engine torque to all wheels in equal measure.
It operates either as an all-wheel-drive system with power continuously directed to the front wheels except when slippage occurs, or as a locked-up four-wheel-drive system for use on slippery surfaces.
Three separate compact sections constitute the rotary blade coupling -- a pressure-generating area, the primary multi-plate clutch and an electromagnetic clutch for the 4WD lock. Within the pressure-generating section, blades connected to the driveshaft rotate in a viscous silicon fluid. If a front wheel starts to slip, these blades also slip, spinning fast in the silicon so the temperature rises. This in turn engages the multi-plate clutch of the torque-generating section and ultimately diverts up to half of the torque to the rear wheels.
Punch a dashboard button to lock the system, and Tribute can even tackle a steep off-road pitch, as we demonstrated in foothills of Mount Timpanogos on a daunting slope canted upward to sixty degrees. Without the lock, wheels scratched through the chat unable to sustain forward momentum, but with the differential lock in place our Tribute scooted up the trail.
Actually, strong muscle popped us up that hill.
The larger of two Ford engines for Tribute -- a dual-cam 3.0-liter Duratec V6 linked to an electronically-controlled four-speed automatic transaxle -- produces 200 hp at 6000 rpm and a torque rating of 200 lb-ft at 4750 rpm.
It's forceful but also quiet and efficient -- and a healthy power boost compared to size-wise SUV competitors.
A base Tribute DX packs a frugal alternate engine with Ford's twin-cam 2.0-liter four-cylinder Zetec hitting 130 hp at 5400 rpm through a manual five-speed gearbox.
The Duratec V6 with automatic shifter may be added to the DX, and the all-wheel-drive system requires it.
With the V6 aboard, more safety options are also available, such as anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution and side-impact air bags for front seats.
Styling of the Tribute cants the package forward in an aggressive stance with brief overhangs in front and back plus rippled body edgework remindful of a muscular athlete.
A thick monochromatic ring -- composed of front and rear bumpers, side cladding and flared wheel moldings -- forms a solid base around the wagon, as the broad face gleams from bold clear-lens headlamps with foglamps pinned below in the bumper.
Multiple edgy creases in the sloping hood flow up to the raked windshield and over a flat roof to the flat-faced tail housing a wide liftgate with flip-up window.
Tribute's wide and tall structure coupled to mechanical components that consume minimal room creates a passenger compartment with best-in-class spaciousness. The floor plan consists of a front pair of bucket seats with center console, a second row with bench-style seat and folding backrest, and a cargo bay in the rear unencumbered by the spare tire that stows below deck.
High-back front buckets with integrated headrests mold through multiple contours to fit your backside and feel extremely comfortable. In the top two trim editions the backside of the rear bench splits in 60/40 proportions to vary storage options, while both bench and back flip forward to form a flat cargo space that's large enough to contain 4x8 sheets of wallboard.
Tribute DX serves as the price-leader tagged around $20,000 with many standard features including a roof rack, tachometer among analog gauges, a tilting steering wheel, and power windows with one-touch down for driver's window. The Tribute LX adds the V6 engine and upgraded cloth seat fabric, while the deluxe ES edition brings leather seats with power controls for driver's seat and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
Then a luxury package installs a power glass moonroof and premium audio equipment.
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| 2001 MAZDA TRIBUTE VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS |
| Description: |
Compact SUV wagon
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| Model Options: |
Compact SUV wagon
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| Wheelbase: |
103.1 inches
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| Overall Length: |
173.0 inches
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| Engine Size: |
DOHC 2.0-L I4
DOHC 3.0-L V6
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| Transmission: |
I4: Manual/5
V6: Auto/4
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| Drive: |
Front 2WD, 4WD RBC
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| Braking: |
Power disc/drum/
opt. EBD/ABS
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| Airbags: |
2 (front) + opt. 2 (side)
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| Gas Mileage: |
I4 M/5: 23/29 mpg
V6 A/4: 18/27 mpg
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| MSRP Price: |
$ 20,000 to $ 30,000 |
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