According to MotorTrend.com, Subaru is redesigning the B9 Tribeca due to sluggish sales. The designers took a risk with the exterior styling (see photo) of the automaker's first SUV when it debuted at the 2005 Chicago Auto Show. With only a face a mother could love, Subaru is now revamping the 3-piece grill for a more conventional design. Other changes include expanding the headlights to match the look of other Subaru vehicles.

The bigger buzz about the B9 is focused more around its new and more powerful engine at 256 bhp at 6000 rpm and 247 lb-ft of torque at 4400. Yet it has better gas mileage than the previous B9 due to redesigned coolant paths. According to Subaru, the new engine provides a 10 to 15 percent improvement in fuel efficiency.

Don't get me wrong, but I always thought the 'beca was a cute little 'ute. Definitely not the best looking front end (more the best looking rear), but once inside, the interior made me forget about the exterior styling. I really thought the interior was and still is the best feature: I just loved how the design of the dash wrapped itself in to the door panels and back down in to the center consul.

I have yet to see another compact SUV/crossover interior captivate me that way the 'beca's has. I just hope Subaru doesn't totally redesign the best part of the current model.

TruckTrend.com will be there for the debut of the 2008 Subaru B9 Tribeca at the 2007 New York Auto Show.

Via: MotorTrend.com