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By
EWAN KENNEDY
20 February 2006
Mazda's designers have done a nice job of freshening up their Tribute
4WD. Doing so by giving it a major facelift, revising the mechanical
layout and further improving build quality.
The facelift goes further than is the norm these
days, with virtually everything in front of the windscreen being a
new design. A bolder-looking bonnet is fronted by a large radiator
grille featuring not only a mesh insert, but also a bigger Mazda
badge than before. Headlights have a more standout appearance due
to their clear glass that lets you see the layout of their
mechanisms.
The bumper is a new shape and the front guards
no longer have blinker repeater lights as these have been moved to
the door mirrors in the manner of most Mercedes models. The
mirrors are claimed to be more aerodynamic than before and
therefore create less wind noise. We haven’t yet had a chance to
drive the latest Tribute to confirm this.
A new dash panel, with bolder instruments is the
biggest feature of the revised interior, but there are also
changes to the design and materials used in the seats and trim. In
an interesting move, the gearshift lever has been moved to a
conventional location on the centre console. That’s to give the
Tribute a sportier feel in answer to complaints from owners that
the previous location on the steering column made it more like a
big sedan than a true recreational 4WD.
Both the four and six-cylinder engines have been
revised and comply with Euro 3 emission regulations. At the same
time, Mazda has managed to reduce their fuel consumption. This is
particularly significant in the V6, which has been measured by
Australian standards as being 10.6 per cent more economical than
in the past.
Safety has been a strong priority of Mazda
vehicles in recent times and the latest Tribute has a four-wheel
disc brake setup in place of the disc/drum layout of the original
models. There are now lap-sash safety belts for all occupants,
previously the person sitting in the centre-rear seat had to make
do with a lap-only belt. ABS brakes and four airbags are carried
over from the old model.
Mazda quality has always been high – a major
reason for the Japanese marque's continued success in Australia
– yet the engineers have taken the opportunity of this midlife
facelift to revise the build of the body and further tighten panel
margins.
Mazda Australia displayed its revised Tribute at
the Melbourne Motor Show and the first shipment of new models will
come to Australia midway through the year. Prices and final
specifications will be set closer to the official launch.
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Marque Publishing Company
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