Indholdsfortegnelse for February 1996 i MotorTrend

For ’96, Porsche is keeping things lively with the introduction of two new 911 variants: an innovative Targa adaptation and a trick turbo-look version of the Carrera 4. Porsche’s familiar Targa top—with the removable roof panel—is an icon that’s been etched into the collective automotive consciousness over the past 30 years. Now, the company has embarked in a whole new direction with a retractable glass-roof hard top. In place of a normal steel roof, an all-glass panel covers virtually the entire area over the front seats. This roof panel, made of two-layer laminated safety glass, is secured by a strong yet lightweight aluminum frame that’s mounted on the rigid, reinforced platform of a Cabriolet. When closed, the roof panel remains flush with the windshield header and rear window. It provides…

Just a quick reminder that “Motor Trend Television,” our new weekly half-hour TV show, will be heading your way on The Nashville Network (TNN) starting January 7th. Twice each Sunday, at 1:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. EST, we’ll present a selection of video road tests along with all of the latest-breaking industry news. But that’s only the beginning. The “MT TV” menu will encompass a wide variety of auto-related features, including interview segments, profiles of prominent car people, and retrospectives on significant automobiles. You’ll also find product reviews and simple how-to projects culled from MTs Performance Trends. During January, we’ll devote special coverage to the winners of Motor Trend’s, Truck of the Year, Car of the Year, and Import Car of the Year competitions. So look for us each Sunday…

Following the rapid advancements in navigation technology for nearly a decade and the recent influx of products using data from the government’s Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites, we weren’t surprised to note Delco Electronics’ (1 Corporate Center, Dept. MT, Kokomo, IN 46904; 317/451-5282) entry in this field. But we were amazed at this company’s direction. Delco’s Telepath 100, a fully integrated in-dash navigation system, is different from its peers. In an effort to simplify the navigation process and to minimize cost, Delco purposely has avoided adding complex mapping technology to its navigation system. Instead of plotting a course on an LCD monitor with supplemental voice prompts at every turn, the Telepath supplies only the basic information needed to get you there with little else to distract you from driving. It…

Removable faceplates are the most significant advancement in car-stereo security ever. Unfortunately, many thieves still break into cars because they expect to find the faceplate stashed beneath the seat or in the glovebox. Sometimes the thieves are right; many folks don’t like carrying faceplates around for fear these fragile pieces will get lost or broken. Kenwood offers an interesting new approach to car-stereo security in its Stealth cassette player/receivers, the KRC-901 (shown, $470) and KRC-801 ($400). The Stealth receivers feature a motorized cover that automatically conceals the faceplate when the unit is turned off. It works like this: When the unit is shut down, the trim ring, or frame around the control panel, flips up. Then an opaque panel slides into the frame from the top of the unit, the…

At the start of the day-long press introduction drive, I wasn’t quite sure the world really needed another roadster, but by noon I was convinced the BMW Z3 is a vehicle that mankind can’t do without. And with the announcement of a $28,750 base price, it’s certain that great hordes of Americans will find the Z3 just as irresistible. There’s quite a story behind the new Z3. BMW’s roadster legacy dates back to 1929 and totals five open cars, the most recent being the (Euro-only) Zl, which was available from 1988 to 1991. None of these cars was produced in any great quantity, however, and their steep pricing kept them mostly under wraps in garages. You’ll see styling cues from the 507 (circa ’56-59) echoed in the Z3, most notably…

The new Plymouth Breeze is an artfully designed midsize sedan with a small four-cylinder engine, a big trunk, generous interior room, comfortable seats, and above all else, a refreshingly reasonable base price. Few will lust for a Breeze to impress the neighbors or dazzle the opposite sex; however, you can’t help admiring the clever industrial design and straightforward attitude of this front-driver. The Breeze, like other form-follows-function products, wins favor by doing exactly what it is supposed to do without excess engineering frippery or inflated cost. Beware Saturn, Ford Contour, Chevrolet Cavalier, Toyota Corolla, Nissan Altima, and others, The Breeze has been expressly created for that large market segment of hard-headed, bottom-line, brasstacks buyers interested in a car as a no-nonsense transport tool. But don’t misunderstand. Nothing’s missing. Standard features…

drop Zone Lowering a truck incorrectly will leave it bucking like a berserk, Per-codan-swilling palomino every time it runs over a pothole. Lowering a truck the right way gets the desired look, maintains utility, and saves chiropractic visits. Ground Force’s kits for the current Chevy S-10 and GMC Sonoma compact pickups facilitate drops ranging from two to a furrow-burrowing five inches. Ground Force offers two methods to bring down a truck’s front suspension: spindles or springs. Drop front spindles relocate the front wheel hubs up into the truck, elegantly maintaining suspension travel and factory alignment specifications. On the other hand, replacing the front coil springs with shorter units also lowers the truck and simultaneously affords the opportunity to stiffen the front end for improved handling. Dropping the elliptically sprung rear…

’95 BMW 74OiL We’ve relished our time thus far with the BMW 740iL. It boasts an athletic demeanor, incredible rear legroom, and enough U.N. ambassador prestige to presume the driver’s diplomatic immunity. Relaxing in the infinitely adjustable power leather seats, surrounded by James Bond-style gadgetry, the driver takes solace in the knowledge that success has put him behind the wheel of the ultimate driving machine. The optional Parking Distance Control system makes parking this king-size sedan easier: Proximity sensors located in the front and rear bumpers trigger beeps to indicate distance to an object; the closer the car gets, the faster the beeps are emitted. We’ve found it’s best not to blindly trust this high-tech system, however, as it isn’t always triggered by narrow barriers such as sign posts. We…

To see that the ’97 Wrangler is “all-new,” you’ll have to look well beyond the round headlights, which should please legions of Jeep enthusiasts who lamented their absence on the ’87-95 YJ-model Wrangler. Despite the fact that this latest iteration, code-named “TJ,” shares the same external dimensions as its predecessor, the junior Jeep features a new body and improved ladder frame. Also new is the Quadra-Coil suspension (originally used on the Grand Cherokee), which improves both the Wrangler’s off-road capabilities and its on-road manners. Although the workaday 2.5-liter/120-horse-power OHV four-cylinder and the gutsy 4.0-liter/181-horse-power OHV inline-six carry over unchanged, refinements have been made to broaden their useable torque bands and reduce noise and vibration. The TJ’s interior boasts numerous upgrades along with improved rear seat accommodations. Dash and door-panel treatments…

Understated luxury, not overstated performance, is the Toyota Avalon’s reason for existence. That applies to this sedan’s uplevel audio system as well. A joint effort by Delco and Harman International, the upgrade ($1470 for the Avalon XL and $1220 when specified for the uplevel XLS variant) is sensibly conservative in both appearance and specifications, but offers substantial listening options with its 12-disc CD changer. Delco makes the head unit, a big double-DIN arrangement with logical ergonomics and generously sized LCDs. Knobs control volume, bass, mid, and treble, as well as balance and fade. Five different equalizer presets are selectable with a large button; all can be reprogrammed easily with your own preferences. A rudimentary display provides a graphic representation of tone-control settings. Harman handles everything downstream of the head unit.…

If you want crisp, accurate sound reproduction with a serious bottom end, here’s a device worthy of your attention. Jacobs Electronics’ AccuVolt is an outboard regulated power supply that delivers smooth, steady power to your amplifiers so they can achieve peak performance. It comes in four models: two 14-volt and two 16-volt, with both 25- and 50-amp variants available. The company claims that the 50-amp “monsters” can take a 70-amp demand spike and that battery voltage can fall as low as 9.5 volts before the AccuVolt deviates from specification. Basically, the AccuVolt not only functions as a regulated power source, but also acts like a bank of reinforcing capacitors that store high amounts of energy for peak power needs. The function of an amplifier’s power supply is to step up…

What could possibly happen when your highly accessorized car is left in the hands of others with electronics savvy and a few hours on their hands? Plenty, if they’re lusting after your high-end gear. We’ve found installers for the most part to be a sincere and honest group. And they had better be; with their knowledge of security systems and access to parts, they’re in a position to make a copy of a customer’s alarm code or code sequence without much difficulty. Ditto for mechanics, detailers, valets, or anyone else who has the right parts and some time alone with your car, provided they can figure out your system’s code-learning process. In an effort to thwart copy attempts, Omega has begun offering a feature called “transmitter verification” on many of…

Stopped at a traffic light, John and Jane Q. Public cringe at the sight of a conspicuously purple thing in the adjacent lane. Throbbing with pure power, sitting atop its huge rear tires, this cat is cocked and ready to pounce. The instant the light turns green, the purple thing vanishes amid a rapidly decreasing din of exhaust noise. All that lingers in the vortex of tire smoke is one indelible image: “Plymouth Prowler,” embossed on the purple thing’s back bumper. Words of bewilderment cross two pairs of lips on cue: “That’s a Plymouth?!” Three years ago at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Chrysler Corporation presented a design study that plucked the heartstrings of every car-loving soul in the Western Hemisphere. The original Prowler was part Elvis,…

If Merriam and Webster were car enthusiasts, you’d open their dictionary, look up “luxury/sport sedan,” and there, instead of a wordy definition, you’d simply find a photo of a BMW 5-Series. Nothing more needs to be said. No other four-door passenger car has carved out quite the same reputation for blending luxurious ambiance with rock-solid build quality and a sports-car-like ability to inspire driving exhilaration. This spring, the fourth and latest generation of the 5-Series will make its debut on our shores as a ’97 model, with virtually all-new hardware and the same pure, undiluted essence of driving fun. Initially, only two models will be offered: the six-cylinder 528i and V-8-powered 540i. The current 530i and Touring models no longer will be available. During the recent 528i introduction in Europe,…

SIGNIFICANT OTHERS In selecting the 1996 Motor Trend Import Car of the Year we considered every all-new or significantly changed EPA-rated import automobile. Following vehicles (presented in alphabetical order) we feel deserve special recognition. Specifications in the accompanying charts are for base models unless otherwise noted. ACURA TL-SERIES Positioned between the Legend and the Integra, the Acura TL offers a spacious cabin, smooth horsepower delivery, and softly tuned touring suspension. With the Lexus ES 300 in its sights, the TL targets isolation and luxury over performance character. Acura’s focus on quality and details is evident in the attractive, efficient interior, which features an exceptional standard stereo system, complete with an in-dash CD/cassette player. The Acura 2.5TL is equipped with a 176-horsepower inline-five engine, and it comes with a lengthy roster…

Somehow, the word “hugger” has a way-groovy ’60s appeal. Back in ’69 the Camaro was promoted by Chevrolet as “The Hugger” (as in road-hugger). For ’96, Chevy has slapped the moniker on a pair of S-10 concept pickups equipped with the ZQ8 Sports Chassis Package. Does the name still make sense? You decide. The “low end” regular-cab Hugger is powered by the standard 2.2-liter four and its five-speed manual transmission. It’s the Tapestry Purple interior, Violet Frost clear-coat over white paint, and 17-inch wheels and tires that give the truck an ethereal presence. The “high end” orange extended-cab concept also gets 17-inch wheels and tires, and then ups the ante with full ground effects, a color-keyed instrument panel and steering column, the torquey 4.3-liter Vortec V-6, and a four-speed automatic.…

TOKYO MOTOR SHOW: A RENAISSANCE IN THE LAND OF THE RISING SUN In marked contrast to its decidedly lackluster predecessor, this year’s Tokyo Motor Show left no doubt it’s back in proper form. Japan’s stagnant economy notwithstanding, the general feeling of the assembled auto execs from all over the world was decidedly upbeat, and that positive vibe was also evident in the impressive array of vehicles on display, most of which had a uniquely Far East flavor. Japan appears poised on the brink of going sport/utility crazy: Two-thirds of the new domestic production offerings fell into the small-SUV category. The strongest-ever presence by U.S. automakers was spearheaded by Chrysler, which presented no fewer than five different righthand-drive models it will offer for sale in Japan during the coming year. Augmenting…

Merge the Toyota Camry’s rounded sides, rear quarters, and doors; integrated head-and taillamp assemblies; plus Buick’s strongest exterior design cues, and you have the all-new ’97 Century, seen here in the first factory-authorized photo. The big mechanical news for the fresh front-drive platform is an independent rear suspension affixed to a rubber-isolated rear cross member, replacing the less-sophisticated torsion beam/trailing arms of the current car. That change, along with noise-attenuation tweaks to the body structure plus a revised front cradle and struts, should provide higher levels of ride isolation, smoothness, and quietness. The sole Century powertrain pairing will be GM’s tried-and-true 3.1-liter/160-horse OHV V-6 mated to a four-speed automatic, a combination that should provide decent power for merging and passing.…

Remember the Volvo ECC (Environmental Concept Car) we drove back in April 1993? It forwarded an intriguing concept: a hybrid electric car propelled solely by battery power during in-city driving, but offering a greatly extended range via an onboard turbine generator (a.k.a. turbogenerator) that charges its batteries on the open road. That concept, however, appeared to have passed by the wayside as Volvo deemed its turbine generator too costly to produce, instead opting to continue developing a hybrid electric car with a more conventional internal-combustion engine generator. Is the turbogenerator a great idea that simply fell short? Maybe not. Chrysler is working on developing this concept, as are a number of other automakers. AlliedSignal claims to have a turbogenerator in the final stages of development that soon will be tested…

Most speakers have one coil of wire, called the voice coil, through which the electrical signal flows. But dual voice coils, usually seen on big woofers, have certain advantages and allow wiring flexibility. Figuring that two really is better than one, Blaupunkt offers unique drop-in replacement speakers featuring dual voice coils and injected-graphite cones. The VPD693 6x9-inch and VPD653 6.5-inch three-way speakers ($170 and $150, respectively) have two pairs of terminals. One drives the speaker full-range, directing the proper frequencies to the woofer, dome midrange, and tweeter with a built-in crossover. The second pair of terminals connects only to a second voice coil on the woofer, allowing it to be codriven, in effect, by a separate amp. Blaupunkt says the advantage to this design is higher bass output. Information is…

If you stand in the heart of Beverly Hills, Palm Beach, or Aspen and hold a moistened finger high in the air, you can feel the winds beginning to shift and stir in the premium sport/utility wars. Here reside the models that populate the market’s stratosphere and cater to the pampered luxury buyers who want the four-wheel-drive, see-over-the-rooftops stance and individualistic image of an SUV, without giving up one whit of their Mercedes-bred sense of comfort and convenience. Automakers are staking their claims with a frenzy that makes the Oklahoma land rush look like a Sunday stroll through the country. The new ultralux limited-edition Range Rover 4.6 HSE is setting the pace for prestige; Acura has recently introduced its new SLX; Infiniti’s entry is right around the comer, as is…

Sport/utility vehicles, if they’re well designed, carefully balance sport with utility. Too much sport, and the truck becomes a big sports car. Too much utility, and you may as well be delivering mail. It’s easy to modify an SUV in either the sport or utility direction, but it’s quite a task to raise both elements to loftier levels. Tokico USA strove to do just that when it undertook the modification of a 4.0-liter inline-six-powered, four-wheel-drive ’94 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Tokico is in the shock-absorber business, so the first thing bolted on to the vehicle was a set of its gas-pressurized shock absorbers. Eibach progressive-rate coil springs lower the Jeep about 1.25 inches while an Air Lift airbag system supplements the shocks and springs to maintain cargo-carrying ability. The Air Lift…

Months after the biggest, baddest pickup truck in the land was introduced, it was named the Motor Trend 1994 Truck of the Year, and it has been cutting a formidable swathe through the full-size-pickup market ever since. The Dodge Ram was the much needed remedy to a sales ailment that saw Ford and Chevrolet dominating the full-size-truck market in the early ’90s with nearly 1 million annual sales between them. The Ram was still third by a big margin, as Dodge was selling only 80,000 units with its pickup, whose basic design dated back to the early ’70s. Obviously, a ground-up redesign was needed to gain a bigger slice of the lucrative full-size-truck pie; a variety of powertrain configurations and an extended cab were essential for a substantial impact. Because…

V-B REAR-DRIVE MONTE CARLO On the surface, the Monte Carlo SS looks like a slightly more muscular family coupe. But beneath its skin, this rear-drive convert grabs power from an all-aluminum, 406-cubic-inch/467-horsepower version of the Camaro Z28’s LT1 V-8, sends it back through the Z28’s Borg-Warner T56 six-speed transmission, and puts it to the ground through a solid rear axle located by the Z28’s rear suspension links. In fact, it may be useful to think of this car as a Monte Carlo with a Z28 driven underneath it. With 275/40ZR17 front and 335/35ZR17 rear Goodyear Eagle GS-A tires under its swollen flanks, it’s completely unlikely the Monte Carlo SS will make production. Still, rumor has it that Chevrolet “toymaster” Jon Moss designed the drivetrain installation so that the engine mounts…