Subaru for 2006 restyles the Forester SUV, adds models to the Legacy and Outback series, produces a new turbo-charged Impreza WRX TR sports sedan and wagon with value-oriented content for lower price points, then rolls out a stylish new mid-size crossover SUV called the B9 Tribeca.

All vehicles from Subaru carry an all-wheel-drive (AWD) system that operates quite simply, as power from the engine moves directly through an electronically controlled transfer case to whichever wheels support traction, with scant loss of energy or reduction in fuel efficiency in the process.

Subaru's rakish crossover SUV blends favored traits of a high-rider SUV and a pavement-hugging sports sedan. Like the SUV, Tribeca has a wagon's format with four passenger doors and rear liftgate for cargo. But like a sports sedan, it rides on a car's platform. For motivation, Tribeca totes Subaru's horizontally-opposed six-cylinder engine which displaces 3.0 liters and features dual overhead camshafts with i-AVCS (active valve control system) variable valve timing to optimize engine efficiency. It hops with 250 hp through a five-speed automatic with Subaru's SportShift mode for manual sequential shifting.

Tribeca's AWD device is biased toward rear wheels with torque normally split 55 percent in back. It employs electronic con-trols like variable torque distribution (VTD) with a stability system under the label of Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) plus a four-wheel traction control system (TCS). Two trims define on-board gear -- base Tribeca or luxurious Tribeca Limited.

Subaru developed the first crossover sport wagon with the five-door Outback, which works like a tall station wagon or dropped-down SUV. It uses the Legacy platform but rides higher due to the elevated suspension. Outback has three choices for powertrains. Base engine is a single-cam 2.5-liter four-cylinder boxer producing 175 hp in 2006 with a five-speed manual transmission. It fits in Outback 2.5i and the uplevel 2.5i Limited. A turbo-charged boxer four-pack worth 250 hp goes to souped-up Outback 2.5 XT Limited sporting an air scoop on the hood.

Top models -- Outback 3.0 R, the 3.0 R L. L. Bean and flagship Outback 3.0 R VDC Limited -- tote Subaru's boxer six-cylinder unit that makes 250 hp through a five-speed SportShift automatic. With the VDC Limited, VTD applies to the AWD system with VCD stability controller.

The chassis of a sporty coupe -- Subaru's Impreza -- underpins agile Forester the sport-utility vehicle. It was rebuilt in 2003 and earned optional turbo-charged power in 2004, with 2006 models showing revised exterior designs, more equipment aboard and power boosts to the turbo-charged and naturally-aspirated 2.5-liter boxer four-cylinder engines. Trims cap at the deluxe Forester 2.5 XS L. L. Bean edition with a new MOMO steering wheel added plus premium features.

Entry issue Forester 2.5 X offers a new Premium Package plus power moonroof, while Forester 2.5 XT Limited is the sole turbo model as rigged with leather upholstery and a power moonroof. Subaru's 2.5-liter boxer four climbs to 173 hp with new i-AVCS controls aboard, but applying a turbo-charger and inter-cooler pushes points up to 230 hp. Further, Forester's optional four-speed electronic automatic transmission gains a revised adaptive shift controller.