Indholdsfortegnelse for May 1996 i MotorTrend

JAGUAR REVEALS ITS SLEEK SPORT CAT: XK8 Here’s the first official look at Jaguar’s new XK8, which will replace the 21-year-old XJ-S in the automaker’s ’97 lineup. The striking coupe shown here made its public debut at the Geneva auto show in March, exactly 35 years after the legendary E-type was introduced there. Its open-air platform-mate will be unveiled at the New York auto show about the time you read this. With an imposingly long prow and gracefully rounded lines, the XK8 is a front-engine, rear-drive 2+2 in the grandest touring style. Designer Geoff Lawson admits being strongly influenced by the classic E-type, as well as by the more contemporary XJ220, in developing this newest sport cat. Corporate officials promise that in addition to exceptional levels of performance and refinement,…

DRIVING AWAY GROUND-LEVEL OZONE The thought of wiping away air pollution as we drive is intriguing and not entirely fanciful. Motor Trend broached the concept in the October ’95 Enviromotive Report when discussing Engelhard Corporation’s innovative PremAir system, which coats an automotive radiator with a catalyst to chemically transform harmful carbon monoxide into more-benign carbon dioxide and to convert ground-level ozone—a precursor to smog—into user-friendly oxygen. Ford’s recent field trials of the PremAir System conducted in the U.S. and in Europe show that the concept works, but that it isn’t as efficient as either Engelhard or the automaker would have liked. That doesn’t mean the idea is being dropped; the rationale is that if a catalyst-coated radiator can’t provide enough surface area or airflow to produce sufficient catalytic action, an…

Here’s the situation: You need new wheels and your budget’s going to hold you to about $20,000. OK so far, but here’s where things get complicated. This vehicle is going to be your everyday companion for the next few years, so it has to be up to date, livable, and perhaps a bit sexy. But it also must fit your lifestyle and individual needs. Choices, choices, choices. Well, take comfort; you’re not alone. The average expenditure for a new car is just over $20,000. And with such a huge variety of showroom offerings, it can be confusing enough deciding what type of vehicle you want, let alone which make and model. Maybe you have a family to accommodate. A good sedan could be just what you’re looking for. But then…

While most SUV owners rarely subject their vehicles to anything more challenging than a gravel or sncwy road, they feel secure knowing that they could go far beyond that if they wanted. To explore this side of our trio’s performance envelopes, we headed southeast from Los Angeles to tackle the slick, icy roads of Mount Palomar and the eclectic desert terrain of the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Each of our testers was equipped with part-time four-wheel drive, two-speed transfer cases, automatic locking hubs, and shift-on-the-fly capabilities. While the Rodeo and Pathfinder retain conventional mechanical shifting between two- and four-wheel drive, the Toyota uses an electronic system, actuated by a button on the transfer shifter. We found this to be an especially quick and user-friendly approach. It’s in the rough that…

Porsche’s new 911 Targa is completely different from previous Targas, but it emerges from the same idea. From the outset of 911 development—you know, during the Kennedy administration—Porsche undertook the task of developing an open-roof version, one that would maintain a hardtop’s roll-over and weather protection. At the 1965 Frankfurt Auto Show, the company showed its solution: the original Targa. This compelling model went into production in ’67. With its permanently fixed rollbar and removable hard-panel top, the Targa became a design classic. More importantly, it has also inspired imitators (Chevrolet Corvette, Honda del Sol, Acura NSX-T, Ferrari 308GTSi) and its own replacement: the ’83 911 Cabriolet, whose body was based on the Targa but with a fully retractable fabric top. The original Targa design remained in production through the…

NEWS THE TEXAS CHAINSAW VIPER The Dodge Vipers John Hennessey lets loose from his Hennessey Motorsports shop in Houston, Texas, will flat-out terrify most humans. The 520-cubic-inch/635-horsepower Venom 600 tested as part of our March “Raw Power” test swept from 0 to 60 mph in only 3.8 seconds and barely remained straight during its frightening 11.8-second trip down the quarter-mile track. By the way, it shook like an electric paint mixer and was so loud our audiologist financed a new houseboat with his extra revenue. We can hardly wait for Hennessey’s next car, which will be based on the imminent Viper GTS coupe. In addition to the same planet-rattling V-10, the Venom 600 GTS will sport carbon-fiber bodywork, a tall rear wing, modified suspension, monstrous Brembo brakes, and enormous Pirelli…

Based on the barrage of advertisements touting the latest generation of engines that can go 100,000 miles before their first scheduled tuneup, car shoppers might conclude that these powerplants are effectively maintenance free. Advances in coolant, spark plugs, transmission fluid, ignition technology, and many other components make the claim possible; whether or not the 100,000-mile claim rings true for you depends on how you define “tuneup.” Automakers usually define a tuneup on these engines as the first time the spark plugs need to be changed. It’s important to remember that these engines still need regular oil and oil-filter changes—probably at least a dozen or more times over the course of 100,000 miles. Fuel and air filters also may require changing. And, of course, unscheduled minor problems—clogged fuel injectors, or spark…

Chevrolet has long been a leader in compact sport/utilities. It helped pave the way back in 1983 for a legion of Johnny-come-latelys when the S-10 pickup-based Blazer was introduced. Touting V-6 power, a sporty appearance, and respectable off-road abilities, the S-10 Blazer helped develop the image of an SUV as daily transportation. As it evolved, the S-10 Blazer strengthened its package, offering a larger V-6 engine, four doors, and, toward the end of its model run, anti-lock brakes. Entering the ’90s, Chevrolet faced competition not only from the domestic brands, but also from overseas in the form of Isuzu, Mitsubishi, Nissan, and Toyota. While the market segment had mushroomed to over one million annual sales, the compact Blazer’s numbers remained frustratingly similar to those early years. Thus, the time was…

ROADSTER MANIA Hooray for Chrysler! Building the Prowler is a wonderful, daring thing to do (February ’96), Too bad the price is going to be in the mid-$30,000s. And I was worried about the lack of V-8 power. One of the main problems with V-6s has been their wimpy, blithering sound, and one of the best things about a V-8 is the muscular throb. Fortunately, according to your write-up, Plymouth has taken care of my worries. However, regardless of the AutoStick tranny, a straight-up stick should be available. Chrysler has a great six-speed available, so why don’t they use it? That would also allow a shorter rear gear without sacrificing gas mileage. Shon RandBowman, Ga. Chrysler has made the Prowler affordably rear drive by utilizing the LH platform’s 3.5-liter V-6…

’97 FORD CONTOUR SVT Next spring, Ford’s Special Vehicle Team will introduce a SHO-like version of the Contour sedan, to be aimed at the BMW 328i and the Audi A4. Powertrain calibration has yet to be finalized, but insiders say the 2.5-liter Duratec V-6 with modified breathing, fueling, and exhaust will crank out about 190 horses, instead of the standard 170. Brakes, suspension, wheels, and tires all will be upgraded to support the power increase. The exterior treatment for the new sport sedan is intentionally understated. Headlights are the new “cat’s-eye” shape that all Contours will sport as part of their ’97 freshening, but the front fascia features a larger oval center grille opening, unique fog-lights, and a deep chin spoiler. The plastic rocker-panel extensions also are flared more dramatically…

Where were you 32 years ago? In the service? In grade school? Yet to be conceived? Carroll Shelby was racing. And building cars—Cobras and GT350 Mustangs, to be exact. In America (and later, across Europe) the blue-and-white-striped Shelby race machines ate up the competition in Texas-size mouthfuls, and unabashedly spit the bloody gristle out their throbbing tailpipes. In the wake were countless Corvettes and Jaguars cowering in defeat as Carroll’s Ford-powered hybrids thundered into victory lane time and again. Monetarily propelled by then-FoMoCo chairman Henry Ford Il’s obsession to dominate world sports car racing, Shelby American’s motorsport operation set the planetary standard for voracious competition. The nuclear warhead in Shel’s arsenal was the 289 Cobra. In stock trim, the Mustang-motored British AC roadster made 271 horsepower, while an additional 35…

In the world of import sport/utility vehicles, these are the “big three”: the Isuzu Rodeo, Nissan Pathfinder, and Toyota 4Runner. Since the sport/utility vehicle (SUV) boom hit full stride at the beginning of the ’90s, this trio has been swapping among themselves the top three spots in the best-selling import SUV contest. In the past six years, the 4Runner has topped the charts four times, the Rodeo twice, and the Pathfinder consistently has been a close second. Each year it’s a dogfight, and whatever’s in fourth place isn’t even close. For ’96, the 4Runner and Pathfinder have been redesigned from top to bottom, emerging bigger and better. Meanwhile, the Rodeo is more powerful, more livable, and more sophisticated than ever. In a hard-nosed, side-by-side comparison, though, which one would come…

Don’t purchase a ’96 Collector Edition Corvette and squirrel it away in a warehouse hoping it will make you wealthy. If you want to collect something that really might make a fortune someday, try stamps, dolls, hood ornaments, or a limited run of Elvis plates. Just don’t let us hear that you’ve got one of these road weapons polybagged in an Arizona garage. This car was made to be driven. We know—we slipped the wrapper off ours and took it out for a thorough workout. Verdict: This $44,209 (as tested) ragtop is a keeper and is likely one of the best all-around Corvettes ever hatched out of the Bowling Green, Kentucky, plant. Our test vehicle was ordered with all the go-even-faster stuff: high-winding 330-horsepower LT4 version of the 5.7-liter V-8,…

Highway champions aren’t born; they must be crafted piece by piece. At least, that’s the accepted theory in the automotive aftermarket, where the end of the factory’s assembly line is merely a starting point for greater things to come. A prime example of this is the SuperNatural Impala SS by Callaway Cars in Old Lyme, Connecticut. Now in its final year of production, Chevrolet’s big LTl-powered rear-drive Impala is a quick, entertaining ride for a select few customers who appreciate classic American engineering served with plenty of elbowroom. But from Reeves Callaway’s perspective, Chevy’s hulking sedan is a Z28 with a stretch wheelbase and surplus doors. In other words, the Impala SS is an excellent candidate for SuperNatural treatment. Callaway’s SuperNatural technique is a fancy name for the same sort…

VECTOR M12 PIONEER AUDIO SYSTEM TEST To work with elite motor cars—Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Mercedes-Benzes, and the likes—is a mobile-electronics professional’s dream. For Randy Hardy, Southeast regional product specialist for Pioneer Electronics, this opportunity became reality. In the weeks leading up to this year’s Consumer Electronics Show, he spearheaded Pioneer’s design and installation efforts for the standard audio system in the new Vector M12. The M12 is an American exotic with an Italian heart. Based on advanced composite chassis technology, and now powered by a Lamborghini-based engine, this Anglo-Italian hybrid can stir any auto enthusiast’s heart. For Pioneer and Hardy, the system design criteria became the ultimate challenge. They selected components from Pioneer’s Premier line of components for inclusion in the OEM system standard on each ’96 M12. As in other…

One of the most overlooked—yet one of the simplest—maintenance areas on a car is tire pressure. An estimated 40-80 percent of all vehicles on the road are operating with underinflated tires. With less air inside, a tire tends to flex its sidewall more, creating a number of undesirable side effects. For example, it increases a tire’s rolling resistance, which decreases fuel economy. The extra flex also creates excessive heat buildup in the tire, which can shorten its service life. Plus, it can sacrifice cornering stability. One of the reasons drivers tend to forget about checking tire pressure is that today’s radial tire is hard to judge visually because the sidewall flexes even when properly inflated. Also, with few exceptions, there’s no “idiot” light to indicate when tire pressure is low.…

GM’S NEW VANGUARD General Motors again will offer three flavors of its front-drive minivans in 1997: the Chevrolet Venture (nee Lumina Minivan), Oldsmobile Silhouette, and Pontiac Trans Sport (pictured). The new model year, however, brings profound changes to these comfy people haulers, highlighted by a completely reengineered all-steel unibody, which replaces the previously used hybrid steel space frame with composite-plastic body panels. Although rust-and virtually ding-proof, the first-generation vehicles had relatively poor overall structural rigidity and a pronounced proboscis shape that was never quite embraced by the public. Along with more-attractive styling, these new vans boast a sliding door on each side. (GM will remain the only minivan manufacturer to offer power sliding doors.) Another new feature for these second-generation GM minivans: Each will be available in a standard (113-inch)…

Motor Trend usually tests production automobiles, not hand-built labors of love. Nevertheless, we eagerly hammered around a racetrack in Lynn Parks’ near-exact duplicate of the ’65 World Manufacturers Championship-winning Shelby Cobra Daytona. The first thing to attract my attention was the Daytona duplicate’s hand-formed aluminum bodywork lovingly layered in flawless, seemingly inches-deep multiple coats of blue lacquer and decorated with original and historically correct decals. Since no blueprints or full-scale drawings were ever created by Shelby, in constructing his duplicate, Park measured authentic Daytona Coupes—a daunting task not only because the six originals featured three distinct body styles but also because Park often found a one-inch difference in the length of the doors on the same car. After opening the Daytona’s door—many modern production-based racers require squeezing through the window…

Sure, SUVs offer an active image, go-anywhere freedom, all-weather independence, and other romantic attractions. But one of their key selling points is cargo space: the basic ability to haul a bunch of stuff around when necessary. There are different ways, however, of measuring this space. If you look only at the cubic feet behind the rear seat, the Toyota offers the most at 44.6 (with the optional third seat removed), compared with 38.0 cubic feet for the Nissan and 35.0 for the Isuzu. Fold down the rear seat and the Pathfinder’s 85.0-cubic-foot maximum outdoes the 4Runner’s 79.7 and the Rodeo’s 74.9. However, cubic-foot calculations include the height of the cargo area, making them most meaningful when filling the rear with luggage, boxes, or ping-pong balls. Most of the time, useable…

1953 Only 300 Vettes were built in its first year; all were powered by a 160-horse Blue Flame six. 1955 Saved from the grave by a dose of power, the Corvette received the 265-cubic-inch small-block V-8 in ’55. 1957 The new optional Rochester fuel-injection system produced one horse per cubic inch—283 in total. 1963 The completely new Sting Ray had alt-independent suspension and an available “split-window” coupe body style. 1965 The 396-inch big-block V-8 produced 425 horsepower. Four-wheel disc brakes debuted in ’65. 1967 A favorite of collectors, the ’67 L88 427 V-8 slammed out an underrated 430 horses. 1969 New in ’68, the Make Shark-derived Stingray remained in production through ’82. The last big-block was used in ’74. 1900 The four-cam, 32-valve ZR-1 blazed new high-tech territory and made…

Elevating Bavaria’s ultimate driving machines to the next level of performance and style is daily business for Italy-based Racing Dynamics, which works its mercurial magic on the full BMW line from the lowliest 3-Series to the grandest 8-Series. In Europe, the company is a respected tuner, assembling complete packages on new BMWs, but in the U.S., its business has been as a dealer and mail-order supplier of parts—until now. Racing Dynamics is moving aggressively in a new direction, looking to establish a facility in California to build modified engines and complete cars for American consumption. To showcase its high-quality conversions, Racing Dynamics delivered to Motor Trend a sinister-black K30.4 Cabrio demonstrator featuring the full catalog of modifications. The heart of the performance gains comes from a 3.0-liter DOHC inline-six engine…

’95 CHRYSLER CIRRUS LXi As our Chrysler Cirrus enters its final leg of long-term duty, it soldiers on without a storm cloud in sight. Its tasteful, modern styling makes several of its import peers seem dated in comparison. The spacious leather-lined interior provides commendable comfort for longer trips and makes a good impression with business clients. The trunk is quite generous: Its deep cavity will hold a family’s entire luggage set or a month’s worth of groceries. (We’ve proved both.) The 2.5-liter SOHC V-6 continues to elicit logbook comments regarding its featherweight low-end punch, but no one can argue with its placid demeanor at highway speeds or its 23.8 average mpg, which is stellar considering our gang of lead-foots. The Cirrus recently visited the dealer for an oil and filter…

NEWS GM’S SMARTEST TRUCK Traditionally, the worth of trucks has been measured by things like payload ratings and cargo-bed size. Now, add Million Instructions Per Second (MIPS) to that repertoire of gauges. Due to the recent cuts in military spending, one of General Motors’ largest aerospace divisions, Delco Electronics, has focused a greater portion of its talents on a truck; its SSC concept vehicle is a GMC Jimmy (or is it a Chevy Blazer?) stuffed with every conceivable electronic goody short of look-down radar and a battlefield management computer. Whoops, scratch that: It does have radar. The radar in the SSC (Safety, Security, and Communications) is a major component of the Forewarn collision warning system, which scans using front and rear sensors to determine the placement, movement, and velocity of…