A few less cars.
Ford Thunderbird. Mercury Cougar. Honda Civic del Sol.
A few new cars.
Oldsmobile Intrigue. Chevrolet Corvette convertible.
A few more sport-utility vehicles.
Dodge Durango. GMC Denali. GMC Envoy. Subaru Forester. Mercedes-Benz ML320.
A lot more technological innovation for the new machines and the old ones. The list includes:
– A seat that changes contour to mold to the shape of your body each time you change position.
– A computer that tells you of a mechanical failure under the hood as you travel and advises you to limp to a service shop or stop.
– Air bags that pop out from seat backs or roof panels to provide head protection in side impacts as well as bags that continue to deploy from steering column or dash top to protect front-seat occupants in an impact–though the bags will deploy at less speed to reduce possible injury to unbelted occupants.
– A glove box large enough to hold a purse out of sight of smash-and-grabbers or carjackers.
– A health-conscious mini-van that says Enough! to those cupholders and has molded containers in its sides that hold Perrier or Evian as well as any of the less-fashionable designer-water bottles.
– A bevy of tissue holders (even the fashionable will eventually spill their water) as well as checkbook holders (to buy more after the spill).
Though a smattering of 1998 models have been in showrooms since spring, the new year officially starts Oct. 1.
Here’s a brief rundown of what’s here and what’s coming:
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
CADILLAC
Cadillac has resized and restyled the ’98 Seville, the first major redo since ’92. Now built on a version of the Oldsmobile Aurora platform. OnStar emergency services system is now offered on all Cadillacs, with a new on-board diagnostic feature that warns of mechanical trouble while you drive. Revamped Eldorado joins Seville for ’99, redesigned DeVille for 2000. Word is that most Cadillacs other than DeVille will switch to rear-wheel-drive down the road.
CHEVROLET
Chevrolet’s newest, the Malibu, has been out for months, but there’s still significant change this fall as the Corvette convertible rolls out. Since the car was designed and developed as a drop top, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the absence of squeaks, rattles and wind noise.
Camaro gets a minor face lift (much more appealing in person than in photos) and a 305-horsepower (320-h.p. in the SS) version of the ‘Vette’s LS1 V-8. But it’s a revised suspension system that makes the new V-8 function at its best and Camaro perform like a poor man’s ‘Vette.
The Geo designation is dropped from Tracker, Metro and Prizm (restyled–as is the Toyota Corolla from which it springs–with side-impact air bags and a more powerful 4-cylinder engine).
Cavalier beefs up its base 4-cylinder a tad and replaces the LS convertible with a Z24 drop top with a more potent 2.4-liter, 150-h.p. 4; Lumina/Monte Carlo get a smoother 3.8-liter V-6 to replace the 3.4-liter V-6 and offer OnStar (as do Suburban, Tahoe and the Venture mini-van). Blazer and the S-10 pickup get new dashes with a passenger-side air bag. The rear-wheel-drive Astro mini-van continues though its chief rival, the Ford Aerostar, does not.
BUICK
Buick brought out its new Regal and Century earlier this year. Riviera now offers only a supercharged V-6. The compact Skylark is only a rental fleet car for ’98, so Buick offers only mid- and full-size cars. And OnStar is offered in every car except Skylark.
OLDSMOBILE
Oldsmobile earlier brought out its midsize Cutlass and Intrigue sedans. The next major change finds the underachieving Achieva replaced next spring by the Alero coupe and sedan, built off the same platform as the ’99 Pontiac Grand Am that also arrives early next year. The 88 is due for an Aurora-based replacement, now dubbed Antares, in the fall of ’99 as a 2000. Aurora gets OnStar for ’98; Bravada dual air bags and full-time four-wheel-drive that Blazer/Jimmy/Envoy don’t get until 1999. Later in the year Intrigue adds a more-powerful 3.5-liter V-6 to eventually take the place of the sedan’s 3.8-liter V-6.
PONTIAC/GMC
Pontiac/GMC offer a pair of new sport-utilities for 1998, the Yukon Denali and Envoy.
As for cars, most are carryover models with minor upgrades, but one change is significant with the addition of the Corvette-derived 305-h.p. V-8 and a more performance-oriented suspension system in the face-lifted Firebird. The result is a Corvette wannabe for far less money.
On the truck side, Denali is a luxury version of the Yukon; Envoy a luxury version of the Jimmy, cousin of the Chevy Blazer. Yukon (and GMC/Chevy Suburbans) gets a new automatic 4WD system akin to Ford’s Control Trac so you turn the dial to 4WD, and the system adjusts when wheel slippage is detected. More leather than Gucci in Denali/Envoy. Next up for luxury treatment: Suburban in 2000.
SATURN
Saturn, as it has every year since it bowed in 1991, again tries to reduce the commotion from its 4-cylinder engine and automatic transmission. It also brings out depowered air bags and does away with the normal/ performance shift option button on the dash. The transmission now switches into a performance mode when it detects aggressive driving. No major change at Saturn until 1999, when the long-awaited midsize LS sedan arrives to give Saturn loyalists a moveup car. Fingers still crossed on whether Saturn will unveil a small sport-utility after that, or at least no later than 2002.
FORD MOTOR CO.
FORD
Ford still sells cars, doesn’t it?
Other than unveiling the high-performance Contour SVT and Escort ZX2, Ford has focused so much on trucks and sport-utilities, the car line has undergone little change other than a new grille for Taurus and Sable; a facelift coming for Crown Victoria and Grand Marquis later this year; and a 10-h.p. boost for the Mustang GT to 225.
Ford also will slim its lineup by offering fewer versions of cars, such as trimming Taurus from G, GL and LX to SE and LX for ’98.
The Windstar mini-van adds a larger driver’s door and sliding driver’s seat for rear seat entry/exit to make up for the fact it is the only major mini-van on the planet without a driver’s side slide-open door (coming in ’99).
In trucks, the Expedition and Lincoln Navigator, built off the same platform, have been huge successes. A larger version, built off the Ford F350 full-size truck platform is in the works. Ranger gets a much-needed larger cab for ’98 and word is a four-door version is coming for ’99.
Thunderbird, Cougar, Probe, Aspire and Aerostar were dropped. Cougar returns next year as a ’99 built off the same platform as the compact, FWD Contour while Thunderbird is scheduled to come back in 2000 or shortly thereafter as a two-seater.
LINCOLN-MERCURY
Subtle design changes in the Continental give it a bold new look, thanks in large part to an abundance of chrome trim. Suspension changes result in more solid ride and handling and less tendency to float.
The Town Car is redone for ’98 and at first glance has a bit of Jaguar flare to it. Roomier and even quieter with a slightly more responsive engine. Like the Continental, the suspension system has been revised to eliminate swing and sway and provide more controlled maneuvering. Chrome god also found an altar with Town Car.
CHRYSLER CORP.
There’s a new Dodge Ram Quad Cab pickup truck– basically an extended cab with four doors (two rear-access doors), one more than Ford or Chevy offer in their full-size pickups, and a new Dodge Durango, a sport-utility that competes with Blazer and Explorer, built off the Dakota truck platform. At the outset of the model year Durango will only offer V-8 engines, with a V-6 coming later.
Durango not only borrows heavily from Dakota styling, it uses the same engines and transmissions. To keep costs down, it even borrows the Caravan taillamps.
Three sets of seats, with the second row very conveniently folding/tipping over for easier third-seat entry/exit than in much larger Expedition or Navigator. Headroom massive.
Rear-wheel anti-lock brakes (four-wheel $565), dual air bags and 4WD standard on initial models; no 2WD versions will be built until 1999. Second and third seats fold down flat for sleeping room. Traps doors in the floor for added stowage.
At the outset, only 5.2-liter, 230-h.p. and 5.9-liter, 245-h.p. (with 7,300 pound towing capacity) V-8s offered. A 3.9-liter, 175-h.p. V-6 is due out at midyear.
Starting price: about $28,000 with the 5.2 liter V-8.
The other big news is the remake of the LH sedan line (Chrysler asks that you refer to the cars by name, not by LH, thank you).
For now, the Chrysler Concorde and Dodge Intrepid will be first in the showrooms. They’ll be followed by more luxurious Chrysler LHS and 300M versions at midyear as ’99s and an Eagle Vision next fall. LHS and 300M will offer only a new 3.5-liter, 250-h.p. V-6, and perhaps 17-inch tires.
Concorde and Intrepid boast of even more aerodynamic and dramatic design (Concorde’s grille makes it look like the first time a concept car made it into production intact); larger interiors; and new engines, a 2.7-liter, 200-h.p. V-6 (replacing the 3.3-liter, 161-h.p. V-6) in the base models, a 3.2-liter, 225-h.p. V-6 (replacing the 3.5-liter, 214-h.p. V-6) in the up-level Concorde LXi and Intrepid ES.
In addition to more power, the engines gain about 2 miles per gallon in city/highway mileage.
Base models differ from uplevel models by choice of engines and tire sizes (15-inch in base, 16 in up-level). Surprisingly, integrated child safety seats were dropped.
Cirrus drops its 4-cylinder engine and is offered as a loaded-with-everything LXi model only. Sebring convertible adds a top-of-the-line Limited version with ABS and traction control as standard. Town & Country, Caravan and Voyager mini-vans get upgraded 3.8-liter, V-6 options (180 h.p., up from 161 h.p.), and T&C adds seat-back hooks to hold plastic grocery bags. Dodge Neon gets a sporty R/T version. Dodge Stratus makes the previously optional 2.4-liter 4 standard. Prowler, finally in showrooms and awaiting the addition of a yellow exterior, will skip from the ’97 to the ’99 model year after the first of the year. Viper gets passenger-side air-bag cutoff switch. The only Eagle for now (slated to be joined by a new Eagle Vision LH sedan for ’99) will be the Talon coupe built at Mitsubishi’s Normal plant.
Dakota gets a passenger-side air bag cutoff switch, and in the spring, an R/T sports version. 5.9-liter Cummins diesel and V-10 gas engines will now be available in short-wheelbase Club Cab and Quad Cab Ram 2500 models. And passenger-side air bags with a cutoff switch are now standard on all Rams.
TOYOTA
TOYOTA
Toyota has redesigned its Corolla, making it a slightly larger, roomier machine that looks very much like a miniature Camry. Corolla is more powerful, too, thanks to the addition of a beefed up 1.8-liter 4-cylinder that turns out 15 more h.p. Side air bags are optional. And like Camry a year ago, the price has been cut.
The front-wheel-drive, V-6 Sienna replaces the rear-wheel-drive, 4-cylinder Previa in the mini-van lineup. Sienna is built off the Camry platform. Four doors offered, but not until later in the model year.
Avalon, Toyota’s top-of-the-line sedan, sports a new grille and taillamp/deck-lid treatment while adding side-impact air bags.
LEXUS
At Toyota’s luxury division, the ES300 gets side air bags; the LS400 skid control similar to Cadillac’s StabiliTrak, a 5-speed automatic, a beefed up 4-liter, 290-h.p. (30-h.p. increase) V-8, navigation system, pollution-sensing climate control and minor cosmetic changes; and the SC400 coupe gets the same engine.
But the big news is that the new GS series was redesigned to compete in the luxury performance sedan segment. The GS300 comes with a 3-liter, 225-h.p. inline 6, the GS400 with a 300-h.p. V-8 and blink-of-an-eye zero to 60 m.p.h. times.
The major Lexus complaint has been fine cars with put-you-to-sleep performance. The engine upgrades were designed to stifle the gripes.
HONDA
HONDA
The Accord sedan has been restyled and enlarged and boasts of competing with the Ford Taurus in terms of size too. Styling is still Honda conservative, but a new 3-liter V-6 turns out 200 h.p. for more life. A companion coupe boasts a look not to be confused with the sedan. The Odyssey mini-van’s 4-cylinder gets a 10-h.p. boost to 150 (ditto the Isuzu Oasis built on the same platform), and Passport, the SUV built by Isuzu for Honda, is redesigned.
ACURA
At Honda’s luxury division, the 3.5RL, once known as Legend, gets a revised suspension aimed at sportier handling and a navigation system. The TL sedans drop the Premium models and add more standard equipment, such as leather interior trim, power moonroof and heated seats/mirrors on the 2.5TL and heated seats/mirrors on the 3.2TL. On the CL sports coupe, a more powerful 2.3-liter 4-cylinder replaces the 2.2 4. Integra gets new front/rear end styling, and the SLX sport-ute gets a 3.5-liter V-6 to replace the 3.2, on-demand 4WD, heated power front seats and power fold-in mirrors.
MITSUBISHI
Power steering is a new addition to the Mirage. It and the Galant get new heavy-duty batteries. Diamante adds four-wheel ABS and remote keyless entry. There’s an exterior makeover for the Montero sport-ute, which adds an XLS 2WD model.
NISSAN
NISSAN
Altima not only swells in size but it also gets new sheet metal (and a price cut) in an attempt to compete more favorably with Accord and Camry. Maxima adds side-impact air bags. The 200SX and Sentra get minor face lifts. The long nameless compact pickup truck built in Tennessee gets a moniker–Frontier–and will serve as the platform for a sport-utility coming later in the model year.
INFINITI
At Nissan’s luxury division, the rear-wheel-drive J30 has been dropped. The front-wheel-drive I30 (built off the Maxima platform) gets side air bags as does the Q45. The G20, last offered in 1997, may return early next year as a 1999.
MAZDA
The MX-6 coupe built at the automaker’s joint-venture plant with Ford in Flatrock, Mich., has been dropped, but the 626 sedan has been continued and dramatically restyled to look like a little Millennia. The 626 is longer, wider and carries a more powerful engine. (Hmm. Camry, Accord, Altima, and 626 all boast more room and comfort and beefed-up engines for more performance. Get the idea there are more leaks in the engineering and design studios in Japan than there are in the U.S.?)
The B-Series pickup is built off the same platform as the Ford Ranger and as such also gets a redesign and larger cabin to provide occupants with much-needed room to stretch.
The Protege and MPV mini-van get CD players rather than cassettes.
A new-generation Miata roadster is coming, first to be unveiled at the Tokyo Auto Show next month and then to be introduced in the U.S. at the Chicago Auto Show in February, where the original Miata was introduced in 1989. The new version is supposed to be a little larger and get a modest power boost.
SUBARU
Forester joins Outback to give the automaker yet another car-like (ride, handling, fuel economy) all-wheel-drive wagon-like vehicle that’s thisclose to being called a sport-ute. Powered by the same 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder in Outback, Forester is about the size of a Honda CR-V and slightly larger than a Toyota RAV4.
All Subarus sold in the U.S. will have all-wheel-drive. Other changes find Outback getting a new Limited model with dual moonroofs and leather interior; Impreza dropping the Brighton, but adding the 2.5 RS coupe; and Legacy adding a 2.5 GT Limited version.
SUZUKI
An Esteem wagon was added for ’98. The major change will come late next summer or early next fall when the Sidekick sport-ute is restyled, enlarged and given a V-6 engine option for the 1999 model year. Chevy will get its Tracker version, but won’t get the V-6.
HYUNDAI
In the Accent line, the GSi replaces the GT. New standard equipment includes AM/FM cassettes in all models, power steering in GS, GL and GSi versions and power windows and mirrors in the GSi. Both versions of the Tiburon sport coupe get a more-potent 2-liter engine. Still no convertible Tiburon, but one may be coming within two years.
AUDI
New vehicles include a redesigned, longer A6 luxury touring sedan with a 2.8-liter, 200-h.p., 30-valve V-6 mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic from Porsche that allows manual shifting without a clutch; and the A4 Avant sport wagon, powered by a 2.8-liter, 190-h.p. V-6 with front- or all-wheel-drive. All A4s offer 5-speed automatic with Tiptronic. The A6s and A4s come with dual front and side air bags.
BMW
The 3-Series gets side air bags (optional on 318ti starting in January). A pair of 6-cylinder models replace the 4-cylinder ones. The 318i and 323is coupes and 328i coupe and sedan add a premium package (the in 323is coupe and convertible a sport package, too). The 323is coupe and convertible, with 2.5-liter 168-h.p. 6s replace the 318is coupe and 318i convertible and their 1.9-liter 4s. The Z3 1.9 and 2.8 roadsters add a power soft top. The M3 coupe and sedan drop the luxury package, and the M roadster powered by a 3.2-liter, 240-h.p., inline 6 borrowed from the M3 coupe and sedan arrives in May sporting 17-inch wheels.
The 5- and 7-Series add as standard a cushion in the side headliner that inflates upon side impact. Rear-seat side air bags are optional. The 528i adds a new sport package; the 540i and 7-Series get stability control. The 8-Series coupe has been dropped.
ROLLS-ROYCE
At Bentley, the Brooklands adds a turbo and thus a Brooklands R name tag. The Turbo R RT is new. All Rolls-Royce models feature turbocharging. Despite what domestic automakers say about growth in the entry-level luxury market, Rolls dropped its lowest-priced ($150,000 plus) Silver Dawn for ’98.
JAGUAR
The XJ8 sedan replaces the XJ6 series, with the 8 serving notice that the 4-liter, 290-h.p. V-8 from the XK8 coupe is under the hood teamed with 5-speed automatic.
Four versions–standard and long wheelbase and Vanden Plas and supercharged XJR (370 h.p.). Stability control, ABS, front and side air bags and abundant wood and leather trim.
MERCEDES-BENZ
Get out the scorecard. For starters, the M-Class sport-ute and the CLK luxury coupe share a 3.2-liter V-6. The CLK incorporates the look of the sporty C36 in the C-Class sedan and a 2.8-liter V-6 replaces the inline 6. A new E-Class wagon bows, as does a new V-6 for the E320 and a turbodiesel replaces the diesel in the E300.
Then there’s a full-time all-wheel-drive option for the E320 sedan and wagon. BabySmart seats for most models detect the presence of a child to keep the passenger air bag from deploying. Door-mounted air bags are on all cars.
Brake Assist on most cars detects a panic stop to automatically employ ABS; electronic stability control on most cars detects impending wheel spin; there’s standard traction control on all cars except the C230 (optional); and Parktronic is extended to the E-Class models as well S-Class to detect obstacles in your path when parking.
PORSCHE
There’s little change until the new water-cooled 300-h.p. plus 911 arrives early next year as a ’99. The 911 Turbo has been dropped, and the Boxster adds side-impact air bags–and perhaps even more power later in the year.
SAAB
The new 9-5 turbocharged replacement for the 9000 series is on sale in Europe but doesn’t arrive here until next spring. Until then, a limited-edition (1,300 copies) CSE turbo will be the only 9000 available. The 900 series will be reworked next spring.
VOLVO
A new C70 coupe arrives next month, a performance machine with 2.3-liter, 236-h.p. turbocharged 5-cylinder engine whose rounded, aerodynamic styling will be reflected in most future Volvo models. A C70 convertible with a 190-h.p. version of that engine debuts in spring.
A series of V70 all-wheel-drive wagons–the V70 AWD turbo, V70 XC AWD turbo that stands an inch higher and is more Subaru Outback-like in off-roading, and the V70 R AWD with 236-h.p. turbo, a performance wagon– bow. The rear-wheel-drive Volvo S90 and V90 rear-wheel-drive sedan and wagon are in their last year. After 1998, all Volvos will be front-wheel-drive.
VOLKSWAGEN
You’ll have to wait until next March, or as late as May, for the new Beetle, the long-awaited modernized version (air bags, ABS, power equipment) of the revered Bug. It will be unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show in January and then brought to the Chicago Auto Show in February before going on sale in the States.
Until then, make do with a newly designed and lengthened Passat with its 1.8-liter, 150-h.p., 20-valve 4-cylinder turbo engine, with a 190-h.p. 6 due later in GLS and GLX versions. Five-speed automatics with Tiptronic will be optional; traction control will be standard. All models will be loaded. Few changes in the rest of the line, other than a power cloth top for Cabrio.
Jetta, Golf, GTi and Cabrio all will offer optional side-impact air bags.
