Still a bit confused about how to spell millennium, much less which millennium, not to mention which century, it is?
Then to add to your confusion, this is the first day of the rest of the 2001 model year, though many 2001 models have been in showrooms since spring and many 2002 models are in the wings waiting for a debut next spring.
What’s interesting each new model year is the focus manufacturers put on their assortment of vehicles, such as offering a variety of economy cars when gas prices skyrocket, a wide selection of luxury cars when the economy skyrockets.
For 2001, there’s a little bit of everything, a host of sport-utility vehicles, trucks, mini-vans, sedans, coupes and even hybrids, machines that combine the best features from a variety of vehicles.
Obviously the automakers are counting on SUV demand–3.2 million were sold in 1999–to grow more as Acura, Toyota, Audi and Pontiac bring out new or redesigned sport-utes, with more coming early next year from Chevrolet, Ford, Cadillac, Lincoln and Buick.
Big SUVs (Cadillac and Lincoln), small SUVs (Toyota and Audi), luxury SUVs (Acura and Toyota) and hybrid SUVs (Buick and Pontiac).
Other noteworthy trends for 2001 are cars that allow you to answer your e-mail; metal car tops that fold down and hide just like canvas tops; trucks with trunks; vans with hatch lids that stop and retract when being closed if they bop you on the noggin; and air bag systems that not only sense whether you are in the seat or not, but whether you are belted or not, in determining when and if to deploy and at what speed.
And, as always, there’s a rash of new names to get to know, such as the Toyota Highlander and Sequoia, Ford Escape, Chevy Avalanche, Buick Rendezvous and Isuzu Axiom.
And here is a quick rundown of what’s in showrooms now and what is coming soon.
BMW
– BMW–A pair of new in-line 6-cylinder engines, a 2.5-liter, 184-horsepower and a 3-liter, 225-h.p., result in a change in model designations. The 325i and 325Ci replace the 323i and 323Ci and the 330i and 330Ci replace the 328i and 328Ci.
All-wheel-drive is optional in the 325i sedan and sport wagon and 330i sedan, and can be teamed with optional dynamic stability control (DSC). AWD models are designated xi versions. The sport package available with 17-inch wheels and tires, even with xi models.
The 330Ci coupe and convertible get 17-inch wheels and tires as standard along with larger brakes along and a new cold weather package with heated seats and headlight washers.
On the Z3, a 5-speed Steptronic automatic with clutchless manual shifting replacing the 4-speed automatic and dynamic brake control is standard. The 2.3 roadster becomes the 2.5i with the new 2.5- liter in-line 6-cylinder replacing the old 2.3-liter. New 16-inch wheels are now standard, too.
The 2.8 Z3 roadster and coupe are now the 3.0i roadster and coupe, with the 3-liter in-line 6 replacing the old 2.8-liter. New 17-inch radials and a sport package added.
In the 5-Series, there’s a new base model 525i sedan and sport wagon with the new 2.5-liter in-line 6 and 530i sedan with the new 3-liter in-line 6 (528i wagon dropped). All 5-Series models get new grilles, headlamps, turn signals, facias and foglamps.
The 525i sedan and sport wagon get the choice of 5-speed manual or optional 5-speed Steptronic and standard DSC was well as front-seat side-impact air bags and “smart” front-seat air bags whose deployment and intensity of deployment depends on severity of impact and whether occupants are belted or the front passenger seat is occupied (no deployment if empty).
The X5 sport-utility vehicle adds a 6-cylinder model powered by the new 3-liter, in-line 6 with the choice of 5-speed manual or Steptronic, and 17-inch all-season radials as standard. The X5 4.4i V-8 adds rear window shades and heated seats as options.
In the 7-Series, depending on model, run-flat tires are a no-cost option, sport pack options are now available and power folding outside mirrors are standard.
In the M-Series, there’s a new M3 coupe based on the 3-Series platform and the M3 as well as the M roadster and M coupe get a new 3.2-liter, 330-h.p. in-line 6. The 3.2 with 6-speed manual develops 330-h.p. in the M3; no rating yet in the M roadster or coupe. The M5 sedan gets a facelift.
The $128,570 Z8 sports car first offered this year with its 5-liter, 394-h.p. V-8 is unchanged for 2001. Only about 400 will be built again next year.
– Land Rover–The 4.6-liter V-8 that was available only on the premium Range Rover 4.6 HSE is now standard on the SE and HSE and a navigation system is standard on HSE, optional on SE. The Discovery Series II is now offered in SD (an entry-level model, though with power front seats and Duragrain trim, vinyl that looks like perforated leather), LE and SE trim levels that become SD7, LE7 or SE7 when you add the optional third seat.
Yet to come is the new entry-level Freelander (Land Rover aiming for less than $30,000, compared to $34,000 on the lowest-priced Discovery) that goes on sale in Europe this fall and the U.S. next fall. It will be powered by a new 2.5-liter, 177-h.p. V-6 with 5-speed automatic with Steptronic clutchless manual shifting.
Daewoo
– Daewoo–A Lanos hatchback sport model? A Korando sport-utility vehicle? Maybe next year. May depend on whether anyone buys the financially ailing South Korean automaker now that Ford backed off from the purchase.
DaimlerChrysler
– Chrysler–Side air bags are optional for the 300M and Concorde, which also gets traction control and speed-sensitive steering as an option. Sebring convertible (late December production), coupe and sedan (formerly Cirrus, Cartalk, Sept. 24) are redesigned. Voyager and Town & Country mini-vans are redesigned with a power liftgate that stops and retracts if a person is in the way; dual power sliding doors (that also stop and retract if an object is in the way); removable center console that can be located between front or second row seats, pop-up rear cargo hold organizer; and choice of 3.3-, 3.8- or 3.5-liter V-6 engines, the latter coming at midyear.
– Dodge–Stratus coupe (formerly Avenger, Cartalk, Sept. 10) and sedan are redesigned. R/T and American Club Racer join Neon lineup. Intrepid gets optional side air bags. Viper gets anti-lock brakes as standard and air conditioning and a CD player as an option. The Ram pickup adds a higher-output 245-h.p. Cummins turbodiesel.
Caravan is redesigned with the same new features as Voyager (formerly Plymouth) and Town & Country.
– Jeep–Cherokee, which will be redesigned for 2002, drops the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine. Grand Cherokee teams a new 5-speed automatic with the 4.7-liter V-8 and offers a Laredo appearance package with 17-inch radials. Wrangler promises a quieter, more durable softtop and tinted windows, upgraded ABS, quickly removed side steps and a plastic injection molded “add-a-trunk” that slips behind the rear seat and comes with drink holders and a tray.
– Mercedes-Benz–A pair of new C-Class sedans, the C240 with a new 168-h.p. V-6 with 6-speed manual and a C320 with a 215-h.p. V-6 and 5-speed automatic, are introduced. There’s one-touch opening for E-Class sunroofs along with new sport packages on the E320 and E430. A new S55 AMG high-performance model in the S-Class has a 5.5-liter, 349-h.p. V-8, active suspension and 18-inch alloy wheels. There’s also a new S600 with active suspension and new 362-h.p. V-12. The CL55 AMG high-performance model with the 5.5-liter V-8 and 18-inch wheels joins the CL-Class along with the V-12 CL600. The CLK-Class gets a high-performance CLK55 AMG with a 5.5-liter V-8, 17-inch radials and racing suspension. There’s a facelift for the SLK-Class along with standard 6-speed manual or automatic with Touch Shift clutchless manual. A new SLK320 gets a 215-h.p. V-6. TeleAid emergency communications system, dual stage front air bags and 4WD with downhill traction control are new in the M-Class sport-utility vehicle. TeleAid includes remote door locking as well as remote diagnostics.
The C-Class joins E-, S- and CL-Class in offering side-curtain air bags. Rear-door mounted side air bags are new in C and CL-Class. And dual-stage air bags are new in the M- and C-Class. Joining those in the S- and CL-Class, the bags deploy at partial or full force depending on severity of impact. Electronic stability control is standard in SLK, making ESP standard in all Mercedes.
The S- and CL-Class also get Distronic Intelligent Cruise Control, a radar-based system that maintains a pre-set distance from the vehicle directly ahead while the C-, E-, CLK-, S- and CL-Class offer Comand, which delivers news, stock quotes, sports and weather information services to the car.
– Plymouth–It’s the last year for the division, though the Prowler is kept as a Chrysler (Cars, Aug. 24).
Ford
– Aston Martin–An all-new Vanquish powered by a 6-liter, 450-horsepower V-12 joins the DB7. Vanquish body and chassis are aluminum, carbon fiber and composite materials bonded together.
– Ford–The new compact Escape (Cartalk, June 18) sport-ute is slightly smaller than the Explorer with a choice of two- or four-wheel-drive and 4-cylinder or V-6 engines. Fuel economy is up to 28 miles per gallon.
Windstar gets a minor restyling plus a new Personal Safety System, in which air-bag deployment and deployment speed depends on seating position, seat-belt usage, weight of occupant or object on the passenger seat, and severity of front-end collision. Windstar is the first mini-van to offer an interactive vehicle dynamic stability system, which uses sensors in the wheels to detect wheel slippage and takes corrective actions to keep the vehicle in control.
Windstar also offers power adjustable brake/accelerator pedals, which move to the driver to keep the driver from having to move the seat toward the steering column that houses the air bag, and side-door-open warning strobes, which alert approaching traffic of an open sliding side door.
Focus adds a Kona Mountain Bike Edition that integrates a mountain bike and a bike rack on a ZX3 Focus.
Ranger gets new styling and new 4-liter single-overhead cam V-6 and 2.3-liter 4-cylinder engines, along with a youth-oriented Ranger Edge series, with Edge being to Ford trucks what Focus is to Ford cars, a means to attract youth.
Already out are the Explorer Sport Trac (Cartalk, April 16), an Explorer SUV with a cargo box in back with a lockable, foldable, hard tonneau; Explorer Sport (Cartalk, April 16), a redesigned two-door; the F-150 SuperCrew (Cartalk, April 30) pickup with four full-size traditional swing-out doors. And new this fall, a Harley-Davidson edition of the SuperCrew (Cartalk, Sept. 3).
A new “King Ranch” edition of the SuperCrew comes out this fall targeted at luxury buyers with such features as captain’s chairs, embossed leather heated seats and lighted running boards. Ford also adds the Super Duty F-650 Super CrewZer , a luxury version of the F-650 truck targeted to the horse-trailering crowd with a fifth-wheel hitch for towing a multiple-horse trailer.
Still to come are the 2002 Thunderbird roadster early next year as well as the redesigned and larger Explorer sport-utility vehicle with a third-row seat option and a choice of radials, not just Firestones. Explorer also will add what Ford calls a Safety Canopy, dual side-curtain air bags combined with roll-over sensors to protect occupants in a roll-over accident. Explorer also will offer a new IVD-Plus system, an enhanced interactive vehicle dynamics system that helps prevent a vehicle from rolling.
– Jaguar–The XK8 and XKR get front and rear appearance updates and an advanced occupant-sensing safety system, a lot of words to describe smart air bags in which deployment and deployment speed depend on the size of the occupant and whether seat belts are worn. The XKR makes the navigation system standard (had been a $2,400 option. Also new, a limited-edition Silverstone (250 units) XKR designed to take on the high-performance BMW M and Mercedes-Benz AMG.
Still to come from Jaguar is a smaller luxury sedan about the size of a BMW 3-Series or Mercedes-Benz C-Class, due to arrive next year as a 2002 T-Type. It will be an entry-level (around $30,000), high-volume (40,000 to 50,000 units annually) sedan that won’t be shared with Lincoln.
Also in the works is a high-performance two-seater. Last year Jaguar unveiled the XK180 concept roadster built off the XK8 coupe and powered by a 450-h.p. version of the supercharged 4-liter V-8. Won’t see production, however.
Instead, Jaguar has come up with the F-Type roadster concept that is 25 inches shorter than the XK8, and it could be out in three years. No engine designation as yet. The F-Type would be the smallest car in the Jaguar lineup since the E-Type two-seater last sold in 1974 and would compete with the Porsche Boxster. Price: about $50,000.
– Lincoln–Telematics and communications connectivity comes to the LS, Town Car, Continental and Navigator, which provides access to emergency assistance, as well as news, stocks, weather, sports and e-mail 24 hours a day, 7 days a week via a voice activated StarTAC cellular phone.
Also, Lincoln is offering complimentary maintenance on all its 2001 vehicles, which covers all routine maintenance–from oil changes to wipers to shocks–for the first three years or 36,000 miles.
Town Car gets power adjustable brake/accelerator pedals and its 4.6-liter V-8 gets a 20-h.p. boost to 240-h.p. Six-passenger seating becomes standard in Continental. And the LS gets traction control with the V-6 as standard. The 2002 Lincoln Blackwood (Cars, Sept. 7) comes out early next year. It’s basically a Lincoln Navigator with a covered cargo bed.
– Mazda–The Miata roadster gets a 15-h.p. bump to 155-h.p. as the 1.8-liter 4-cylinder adds variable-valve timing, and there will be two Miatas, base and LS, the latter offering a 6-speed manual as optional. Millenia gets new sheet metal, restyled cabin, 1.8-inches added length and a new rear stabilizer bar, larger front stabilizer bar and larger front brakes for improved handling, driving stability and security.
The new Protege arrives after the first of the year with a larger 2-liter, 130-h.p. 4 replacing the 1.8-liter, 122-h.p. 4. The B-Series truck (an offshoot of the Ford Ranger) gets a pair of new engines, a 2.3-liter, 134-h.p. 4, replacing the 2.5-liter 4, and a new 4-liter, 207-h.p. dual overhead cam V-6, replacing the 4-liter, 162-h.p. overhead-valve V-6.
Tribute (Cartalk, July 23) is the new compact sport-ute in the lineup (a version of the Ford Escape) that’s available in 2-wheel-drive or 4-wheel-drive version with 4-cylinder or V-6 engine.
– Mercury–Grand Marquis’ 4.6-liter V-8 gets a 25-h.p. increase to 245-h.p. Villager mini-van gets a new grille, and the Cougar gets a new interior and a promise that the long-awaited high-performance 200-h.p. V-6 version will finally arrive. The redesigned and larger Mountaineer sport-utility arrives early next year as a 2002.
– Volvo–The S60 sedan, built on the same platform as the S80 sedan and V70 wagon, replaces the S70 sedan to become a sporty entry-level model for younger buyers. A choice of three engines and transmissions: 2.4-liter, 168-h.p., 20-valve 5-cylinder with a 5-speed manual; 2.4-liter, 197-h.p. turbo with automatic or optional clutchless manual/automatic; and a 2.3-liter, 247-h.p. turbo teamed with 5-speed manual or clutchless manual/automatic. Side air bags and side air curtains are standard. Volvo On-Call emergency system, like General Motors’ OnStar, is optional. From the go-another-mile department: Anti-allergy seat fabrics to reduce the risk of headache and eye, nose or throat irritations. S40 and V40 (wagon) as well as C70 get a new 5-speed automatic transmission.
General Motors
– Buick–There’s an Olympic edition Regal. Utrasonic rear parking assist on Park Avenue beeps when backing up to alert to an object behind. OnStar is standard on Park Avenue Ultra, LeSabre Limited, Regal GS and Century Limited, and optional on Park Avenue, LeSabre Custom, Regal LS and Century Custom. LeSabre gets dual-stage air bags. The big news comes in the spring when the Rendezvous luxury sport-utility vehicle arrives, the first truck-based Buick in nearly 80 years. Rendezvous, built off the General Motors mini-van platform, will offer all-wheel-drive and rival the Lexus RX300.
– Cadillac–An infotainment system, an in-car personal computer that allows for a navigation system as well as the ability to read e-mail, is optional on the DeVille DHS and DTS and Seville STS. New Virtual Adviser services tied to OnStar emergency communications system provide stock quotes, sports scores and weather updates on all Cadillacs. New-generation rain-sensing wipers on DeVille and Seville adjust wiper speed based on amount of moisture. Availability (12,000 units up from 6,000 for 2000) increases of Night Vision infrared heat-imaging system in the DeVille that allows you to see objects ahead at night or during a storm.
The big change comes early next year, when the redesigned Escalade and the Caddy offshoot of the GMC Yukon SUV introduced in 1999 becomes more of its own vehicle. In addition to new styling, Escalade sports a new bold front end that borrows from the upcoming 2003 Caddy roadster based on the Evoq concept car. Escalade, on sale in January as a 2002, will be offered in 2WD as well as 4WD versions. The 2WD will be powered by a new 5.3-liter, 285-h.p. V-8, the 4WD by a 6-liter, 345-h.p. V-8. The 4WD also gets Stabilitrak as standard, Cadillac’s stability control system, and with it computer-controlled road-sensing suspension, which adjusts settings based on the surface of the road traveled.
Escalade also gets ultrasonic rear parking assist to warn of objects behind when backing up, and a new third-row seat to allows for up to eight passengers.
– Chevrolet–Corvette gets a high-performance Z06 (Cartalk, July 20) version with 385-h.p. V-8 and active-handling suspension. The Tracker sport-ute finally gets a 2.5-liter V-6. The compact S-10 pickup adds a four-door Crew Cab. Venture mini-van gets a power driver’s side slide open rear door and a third-row seat that can be folded instead of removed. Suburban replaces the 7.4-liter V-8 with an 8.1-liter V-8 that promises more power yet more fuel mileage. Silverado adds restyled heavy-duty 2500 and 3500 models.
A redesigned and larger Blazer renamed TrailerBlazer (Cars, Sept. 21) and a Suburban-based Avalanche truck/SUV arrive in the spring as 2002 models.
– GMC–New heavy-duty full-size Sierra pickups and Sierra C3 high-performance half-ton (GMC exclusive, no Chevy version) with 4WD and 6-liter, 325-h.p. V-8. Yukon and Yukon XLT sport-utes are joined by upscale Yukon Denali and Yukon XLT Denali versions. The Sonoma pickup gets a four-door Crew Cab, and Savana adds an upscale SLT version.
The compact Jimmy two- and four-door sport-utes give way to an all-new midsize Envoy early next year as a 2002 model. There will be no two-door Envoy. A 4.2-liter, 270-h.p. V-6 will replace the 4.3-liter, 190-h.p. V-6 (in Chevy TrailBlazer and Olds Bravada, too). The four-door Jimmy will be built through December, the two-door through June to keep inventory in showrooms in the conversion. A longer-wheelbase version with a third-row seat will be added in about a year (same for Chevy TrailBlazer and Olds Bravada).
– Oldsmobile–A redesigned Aurora with two engine choices arrived earlier this year. Alero gets anti-lock brakes and a sound system upgrade. A stability control system (an offshoot of Cadillac Stabilitrak) is optional and OnStar standard on Intrigue GLS. A power passenger seat is now standard on Bravada. The Silhouette mini-van (Pontiac Montana and Chevrolet Venture, too) gets an optional third-row seat that folds flat to increase storage capacity as well as larger LED video screens for the optional entertainment system, and dual-channel, wireless headphones that allow passengers to choose between video and stereo systems. Silhouette also gets rear parking aid warning beeper system when backing up, remote keyless entry and power driver’s side sliding door (GLS and Premiere).
Silhouette (Montana and Venture, too) is slated to get an AWD option, but not until the 2002 model year, when it shares the Versatrak system with the Pontiac Aztek and Buick Rendezvous sport-utes.
A redesign is coming for Bravada early next year, when the vehicle grows in size. A longer wheelbase (Chevy TrailBlazer and GMC Envoy, too) version also is planned, but not initially, to accommodate an optional third seat.
– Pontiac–New addition to the lineup is the Aztek (Cartalk, June 4) sport-ute built off the Montana mini-van platform that adds 4WD early next year.
Montana gets new front- and rear-end styling, standard luggage rack, rear parking aid to warn of objects behind when backing up (long-wheelbase version), fold flat , second row captain’s chairs and new third-row stowable seat on long-wheelbase versions. Grand Prix SE gets much the look of a GT and Special Edition GT and GTP coupe and sedan packages. Bonneville adds heated seats as an option on all models. Grand Am makes a Monsoon premium audio system standard on GT and GT1 models, optional on SE1. Firebird Formula and Trans Am engines get 5 more horsepower and all Firebirds get retuned shocks for a quieter ride with less vibration. Monsoon is optional in Sunfire.
The OnStar emergency communication system is standard in Grand Prix and Aztek, optional in Bonneville and Montana.
GM plans to build a “lifestyle” sport-ute type vehicle with a Pontiac nameplate at its joint-venture plant with Toyota in Fremont, Calif., the 2003 model year. GM will drop the Chevrolet Prizm from Fremont to make room for the Pontiac.
– Saab–GM’s OnStar system is standard in all models and includes Virtual Adviser, which give access to e-mail, stock quotes, sports scores and a hands-free voice-activated cell phone. All 9-5 models offer free 36-month/36,000-mile maintenance including recommended oil and filter changes. All 9-3 models get traction control as standard. The 9-5 base 2.3-liter 4-cylinder gets a boost to 185-h.p. from 170-h.p.
– Saturn–Side-impact air bag curtains are optional throughout the lineup. Still to come is the new sport-utility vehicle based on the compact S-Series that bows in 2002. It will compete against the likes of the Toyota RAV4 and do so with plastic body panels. The SUV will be unveiled next week at the Miami Auto Show.
Honda
– Acura–A pair of new vehicles, the 3.2 CL luxury performance coupe (Cartalk, June 11) and the MDX luxury sport-utility vehicle (Cartalk, Sept. 17). Watch for MDX to be joined by a lower-cost Honda version soon, just like Toyota will bring out a lower-cost Highlander SUV version of its luxury Lexus RX300.
– Honda–Civic, best-selling small car in the U.S. for five years, is redesigned and reengineered for 2001. Though built on the same wheelbase as 2000, the new Civic is 2-inches taller and 1/2-inch wider to allow for increased head, shoulder and thigh room in a more spacious cabin.
For 2001 Civic is offered in DX, LX and EX sedans and coupes, with the LX coupe introduced to reduce the price spread between the base DX and top-of-the-line EX two-doors. There’s also a high-mileage, few-frills HX coupe, Honda’s only model offering a continuously variable transmission and a natural-gas powered GX sedan. The Civic hatchback has been dropped.
Other changes for 2001 find all LX models adding air conditioning, power windows and door locks, cruise control and cassette player as standard, and EX models adding moonroof, CD player, keyless entry and larger 15-inch radials as standard.
All Civic models also offer dual-stage front air bags in which deployment speed depends on severity of impact and whether occupants are belted and optional side air bags ($250). When equipped with those bags, the front passenger seat comes with a bag cutoff system to prevent the bag from deploying if a child or small adult is out of position or leaning against the bag’s path. A light in the instrument panel warns that the occupant is out of position or leaning against the bag.
And thanks to some suspension tweaks, the rear cabin floor is now flat, which adds 2.3 cubic feet of room and allows Honda to classify Civic as a compact rather than a subcompact.
A 1.7-liter 4 replaces the 1.6-liter 4 in all models, with a resulting boost in horsepower of 9-h.p., to 115-h.p., in DX and LX models. Low-end torque also is increased for better off-the-line movement as well as 1-m.p.g. better fuel economy.
The Civic EX gets ABS as standard and all models get nearly a two-gallon larger fuel tank.
Accord gets new front and rear end, the same dual-stage front air bags (all Accords) and side-impact air bags (standard EX, optional DX, LX) as Civic and adds traction control as standard in all V-6 models. All EX models get AM/FM stereo with in-dash CD player as standard.
The hard-to-find Odyssey mini-van gets a rear window wiper and traction control as standard (LX) while the equally hard-to-get S2000 sports roadster gets a new Indy Yellow color and floor mats, rear wind deflector and clock as standard. Insight, the gas/electric hybrid, adds a continuously variable transmission next spring and the Passport sport-ute gets rear disc brakes on all 4WD models.
Hyundai
– Hyundai–A new top-of-the-line sedan, the front-wheel-drive XG300, roughly the size of a Lexus ES300, comes with leather interior, 3-liter, 192-h.p. V-6, ABS, front and side-impact air bags, 5-speed automatic and a price range of $23,000 to $25,000. Only option is a power moonroof.
And a new sport-ute, the Santa Fe, is based on the Sonata sedan platform and comes with a choice of 2WD or 4WD and 2.4-liter, 150-h.p. 4 or 2.7-liter, 181-h.p. V-6.
A newly designed Elantra that starts the model year with a 4-door sedan and adds a 5-door hatchback next spring.
Accent gets a 1.6-liter 105-h.p. 4-cylinder to replace the 1.5-liter, 92-h.p. 4 in the GS and GL. The Tiburon sports coupe adds a standard rear spoiler.
– Kia–A new entry-level Rio sedan is based on the old Ford Aspire platform that Kia supplied Ford. A new midsize sedan called Optima goes on sale in December and is based on the Hyundai Sonata platform from Kia’s South Korean partner. Optima bows at Miami Auto Show next week.
Isuzu
– Isuzu–The Amigo is now called the Rodeo Sport to more closely associate it with the Rodeo family. For the first time you can get 4-cylinder and automatic transmission in the 4×2 Rodeo Sport. Coming next spring is a new sport-ute based on the Axiom concept, an SUV/wagon hybrid with 4WD, but carlike ride and handling to compete with the Acura MDX, Lexus RX300 and Buick Rendezvous.
Mitsubishi
– Mitsubishi–The 2001 model year came early and the redesigned full-size Montero sport-utility vehicle with an optional fold-into-the-floor, out-of-sight third seat is in showrooms, along with the redesigned Eclipse coupe and convertible. The Galant sedan gets optional traction control (ES with V-6) and Montero Sport, the smaller sport-ute, adds 4WD for the lowest cost ES version and a 3.5 XS, a lower-cost version of the Sport Limited with the same 3.5-liter V-6 but fewer frills.
Nissan
– Nissan–Redesign and a supercharged V-6 appear on Frontier pickup (Cartalk, Aug. 20). There’s a limited edition package on the Altima GXE. A special Anniversary Maxima commemorates its 20th year in the market. The Quest mini-van sports a new front end and a family entertainment center in the cabin. There’s an audio upgrade for Xterra sport-ute. A new 3.5-liter, 240-h.p. V-6 replaces the 3.3-liter, 170-h.p. V-6, and “Allmode” 4WD system from the Infiniti QX4 is available on the Pathfinder sport-ute. It activates without the driver turning a dial or pulling a lever.
– Infiniti–Remake of the QX4 luxury sport-utility with a new 3.5-liter, 240-h.p. V-6 replacing the 3.3-liter V-6 and the first 2WD model. Still to come from Nissan/Infiniti are 10 new vehicles over the next three years including a full size, V-8 powered truck in 2003 with a full-size SUV planned off the same platform a year later; a return of the Nissan Z sports coupe for 2003 (to be unveiled in January at the Detroit Auto Show); a new 2002 Infiniti Q45 sedan next April; and a production version of the rear-wheel-drive Infiniti XVL concept on this year’s auto show circuit, with no date set. XVL could become a RWD entry-level replacement for the current FWD G20 sedan.
Porsche
– Porsche–The 415-h.p. 6-cylinder 911 turbo has been in showrooms since early summer. Still to come is the Cayenne, the joint-venture luxury sport-utility vehicle developed with Volkswagen (Colorado name for the VW version) that arrives in 2002 as a 2003 model.
Subaru
– Subaru–Two new models, the Outback H6-3.0 VDC wagon and the Outback H6-3.0 L.L. Bean edition join the lineup. The 3-liter 6 produces 212-h.p. VDC stands for Vehicle Dynamics Control and is teamed with VTD (Variable Torque Distribution). That means the VDC wagon offers a four-wheel, all-speed, stability-control system that uses a torque-split system front to rear, then applies ABS to the slipping wheel and, if more help is needed, traction control by reducing fuel flow to the engine. Still to come, a redesigned and high-performance turbocharged Impreza sedan and wagon.
Suzuki
– Suzuki–XL7 sport-utility vehicle comes out late December, the production version of the XL6 concept vehicle. XL7 a stretch of the Grand Vitara sport-ute that boasts of three rows of seats (two/three/two), with the third row foldable into the cargo floor. Powered by 2.5-liter V-6 and a choice of 2WD or 4WD.
Toyota
– Lexus–The IS300 rear-wheel-drive sport sedan (Cartalk, July 16) is in showrooms to take on BMW 3-Series and Audi A4. The GS400 becomes the GS430 with a new 300-h.p. 4.3-liter V-8. GS430 and GS300 sedans gets driver/passenger side-impact curtain air bags, skid control systems and water-repellent front door glass. The RX300 gets skid control as standard and more than a two-gallon larger fuel tank. LX470 adds an optional navigation system with DVD/CD changer in the center console so when the gear selector is in “park” you can watch the DVD on the navigation display and when in “drive” listen to the sound but not see the video. The LS sedan gets a new 4.3-liter V-8 and LS430 designation. In the spring, Lexus’ first convertible, the 2002, arrives with retractable metal hardtop.
– Toyota–The rival to the full-size sport-utes at GM and Ford is the Sequoia, built off of and alongside the full-size Tundra pickup at the automaker’s Indiana assembly plant.
Larger than a Chevy Tahoe, about the same size as a Ford Expedition, Sequoia will come in 2WD or 4WD with the same 4.7-liter, 240-h.p. V-8 as Tundra and come standard with four-wheel ABS, seating for up to eight in three rows and side-curtain air bags.
The subcompact RAV4 SUV is redesigned with increased length, width, height and wheelbase in response to demands for more room. A new all-aluminum 2-liter, 16-valve, 4 is standard, producing 148 h.p., 21 more h.p. than the current 2-liter. ABS is an option.
Coming next spring is the Highlander, built off the Camry sedan platform as a lower-cost version of the Lexus RX300.
Tacoma truck gets a facelift as well as four-door Double Cab and Stepside versions, and Tundra adds optional body-colored bumpers on Limited models.
Land Cruiser gets an optional navigation system. 4Runner drops the 2.7-liter 4 and makes the 3.4-liter V-6 standard in all models. The three-door (passenger side slider) Sienna mini-van departs, leaving the four-door (sliders on both sides). Its 3-liter V-6 engine is upgraded by 16-h.p., to 210-h.p.
In the car line, Corolla adds a sporty S version.
Volkswagen
– Audi–A new 48-month/50,000-mile warranty replaces 36/50. Sideguard air-bag curtains are standard on all Audi models except the TT coupe and roadster. The A4 1.8T models get an upgrade to 170-h.p. from 150-h.p., electronic stability control (ESP) is optional on all A4 models and a navigation system is offered only on the 2.8-liter A4. S4 sedan gets ESP standard. S4 Avant (wagon) is new for U.S., powered by 2.7-liter, 250-h.p. V-6 bi-turbo. The A6 gets a 2.7-liter, 250-h.p. V-6 bi-turbo and optional audio/phone controls in the steering column. The A6 2.8 sedan/Avant get ESP as optional. The A6 4.2 sedan gets ESP as standard. The new Allroad Quattro (wagon) comes with the 2.7-liter bi-turbo V-6 and 6-speed manual or 5-speed clutchless Tiptronic. The A8 is joined by a long-wheelbase A8L sedan designed for the U.S. market and powered by 4.2-liter, 310-h.p. 40-valve (five-valves per-cylinder) V-8 with ESP as standard. The new S8 sedan that goes on sale next spring gets a 4.2-liter, 360-h.p. V-8. The TT roadster offers an optional power soft top and 180-h.p. 4-cylinder version comes only with front-wheel-drive.
– Volkswagen–No price increases for Jetta, Golf or Beetle GL and GLS models while Beetle GLX increases $100 and the entry-level Cabrio GL gets $390 price cut. Side-curtain air bags are coming later in the model year for Golf, GTI, Jetta and Passat; the Golf GLS 1.8T gets a new optional sports suspension; GTI GLS gets a sports suspension upgrade, 16-inch alloy wheels for the GLX and steering-wheel radio controls (GLS/GLX). Beetle gets optional 17-inch alloy wheels on the GLS 1.8T and GLX, larger and lower sideview mirrors, rain sensing wiper system (GLX), high-intensity headlamps (GLS and GLX) and a new Sport appearance package coming out in 2001 with a higher-output engine arriving after that. Jetta adds 17-inch wheels on the GLS 1.8T and VR6 as well as adding a wagon later in the model year. Cabrio gets power windows/mirrors, heated seats and a cloth top on the GLS. Later in the model year, EuroVan adds a high-performance 201-h.p. VR6 engine, plus electronic stability control, single seats for the second row and foglights.
