The limited edition Tribute Traveller, which is available to the end of March, includes an alarm, tow bar, tow ball, trailer harness, side steps, a cargo barrier, an extended four-year warranty and floor mats among other items, boosts the outstanding value package offered by Mazda’s 4WD wagon.

Safety comes standard on new Tribute. It is the only 4WD wagon in its class with ABS anti-lock brakes with Electronic Brake force Distribution and dual front and side airbags as standard.

The larger than normal, 15-litre front-seat airbags are triggered by a sensor located on each side of the vehicle. When a collision is detected the affected side airbag inflates between the seat and the door trim, protecting both the chest and the head.

Standard equipment on the new entry-level Limited Sport four-cylinder model also includes air conditioning, CD player, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, alloy wheels, automatic transmission, a cargo cover, front fog lamps, roof rails and a lidded storage bin between the front seats.

Powered by a new 2.3-litre four-cylinder Mazda engine it developes108 kilowatts at 6000rpm and 201Nm of torque at 4500rpm, increases of 11 per cent more power and 10 per cent more torque over the superseded 2.0-litre engine.

The Limited Sport four-cylinder Tribute is priced at $34,990.

Tribute’s three-model V6 line-up has gone on sale with no price increases despite all models gaining wheel-mounted audio controls and cabin upgrades, while Limited Sport and Classic models receive side airbags.

They also gain more power and torque with a revised Power Control Module delivering a 2kW improvement in power and a 10Nm increase in torque, taking the 3.0-litre engine to 152kW at 6000rpm and 276Nm at 4750rpm. The V6 also mates to a four-speed automatic transmission.

The Limited Sport V6 is priced at $36,990, the Classic at $39,990 and the leather-trimmed Luxury model at $43,350.

The new Tribute range, which is built in Hofu, Japan, can be identified by styling revisions that further refine and enhance the 4WD’s athletic design cues. They include new head and tail lamps and five new body colours. Metallic paint is a no cost option.

The facelifted Tribute features a number of mechanical upgrades including improvements to the suspension, steering and lower levels of noise, vibration and harshness.

”New Tribute gives 4WD buyers the opportunity to choose safety, performance and value as standard,” said to Mazda Australia managing director, Malcolm Gough.

“With a choice of improved four cylinder and V6 engines, ABS brakes and four airbags the Tribute is a standout in this crowded market segment”.

Mazda Australia expects to sell more than 6000 Tributes in 2004, with the two Limited Sport models making up 40 per cent of the sales mix, the Classic 40 per cent and the Luxury 20 per cent.

The Tribute range is protected by Mazda’s three-year/unlimited kilometre warranty.