CHERRY HILL, N.J. --- Subaru of America Inc. this week announced that its 2008 Subaru Tribeca has received the highest rating in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) New Car Assessment Program crash tests. The Subaru Tribeca received 5-stars in both the frontal and side-impact crash tests for both the driver and passenger seating positions. NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) provides vehicle safety information --- primarily front and side crash test results and rollover ratings --- to aid consumers in their vehicle purchase decisions. The test results are expressed in a star rating system --- from 1 to 5 stars, with 5 being the highest. The NCAP crash tests are conducted at speeds higher than required by the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for both side impacts, at 38.5 miles per hour, and full frontal barrier impacts, at 35 miles per hour. The Tribeca is equipped with the company's Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, combining Variable Torque Distribution (VTD) All-Wheel Drive with Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) stability control and four-wheel traction control (TCS), Subaru said. This combination results in greater nimbleness and all-weather grip. VDC is a stability control system that actively controls the center differential's power distribution by means of a continuously variable hydraulic transfer clutch. The system distributes torque to the appropriate wheel based on input from steering wheel angle, yaw and lateral g-force sensors. It also monitors input from the ABS brake system, adjusting individual wheel braking as needed, helping to maintain vehicle control under a variety of driving conditions. The 2008 Tribeca also features a 4-channel/4-sensor ABS braking system with Emergency Brake Assist. Emergency Brake Assist analyzes force and stroke on the brake pedal and increases hydraulic boost to provide better emergency braking. A direct tire-pressure monitoring system and Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) are also standard. The EBD system automatically adjusts front/rear brake proportioning based on vehicle load and is more effective than conventional brake proportioning valves, Subaru said. For improved visibility, the redesigned 2008 Tribeca features larger rear quarter windows, plus new side mirrors with 50 percent larger viewing area. Tribeca Limited models with the optional touch-screen navigation system include a rear vision camera. When the driver moves the transmission shift handle into reverse, the center color LCD display will show what the camera lens can detect within its field of vision behind the vehicle. The screen view also features distance/width guidelines to assist the driver in backing up the vehicle. Customers can also order reverse assist sensors as an optional accessory for any Tribeca model. Ultrasonic sensors mounted in the rear bumper detect objects behind the Tribeca and beep as the vehicle gets closer to the object behind it. The Subaru Ring Frame Reinforced vehicle architecture disperses collision energy in three directions. This design forms a series of "rings" around the passenger compartment, providing protection in a variety of collision types. High-strength steel reinforced center pillars improve side impact protection, which is further bolstered by side-impact door beams. The Subaru Boxer engine allows more crush room in front impacts. Subaru vehicles are designed to allow the entire powertrain to slide under the car along the floor tunnel in a severe collision, helping to prevent intrusion into the passenger compartment. In the rear, the spare tire is mounted underneath the vehicle to avoid intrusion into the passenger compartment. Additionally, an 'M-frame' structure protects occupants with added reinforcement in the event of a rear collision. Inside, the Tribeca features standard front seat side impact air bags for thorax-area protection, and curtain side air bags (front and middle rows) for head and rollover protection. Mounted in the upper sides of the front seatbacks, the front seat side-impact air bags offer protection regardless of seat position. The curtain side air bags deploy from the headliner. Sensors in the vehicle determine if an impact engages the center pillar (deploying side air bags, belt tensioners and curtain air bags) or just the rear seat area (deploying curtain air bags). Special sensing and algorithms also will deploy and maintain the side curtain inflation when a potential rollover is detected. The Subaru frontal air bag system uses dual-stage-deployment driver and front passenger air bags. A position sensor on the driver's seat track detects if the driver is sitting too close to the air bag, in which case the system would delay deployment of the air bag's second stage. The system also takes input from a seatbelt buckle switch to determine if the driver is using the belt. The passenger side front seat incorporates an occupant detection system that measures weight on the passenger seat --- determining the presence of a child or adult --- to control air bag deployment. In addition, the system takes input from a seatbelt tension sensor installed in the seatbelt anchor, as well as a seatbelt buckle sensor. If the system determines "empty seat" or "child" (based on weight thresholds), it sets the front air bag not to deploy and illuminates the "air bag off" indicator. If an adult is detected, the air bag will be set to deploy and the "air bag on" light illuminates.