Indholdsfortegnelse for October 1996 i MotorTrend

Mitsubishi’s top-line—dare we say BMW-inspired?—Diamante undergoes a full makeover for the new model year, modestly growing both in size and stature. This feature-laden front-drive sedan will be made at Mitsu’s production facility in Adelaide, Australia. Both the ES and LS models carry a new 3.5-liter SOHC V-6 (derived from the 3.5-liter DOHC used in the Montero SR) that makes 210 horsepower and 231 pound-feet of torque, a healthy bump over the current 3.0-liter/172-horse V-6 that puts out 185 pound-feet of twist. The new 3.5 is paired with a four-speed automatic that has adaptive learning capabilities. Traction control also is standard fare. The stylish new Diamante’s fully independent coil-spring suspension system features MacStruts up front and multilink hardware in the rear. Stopping power is provided by four-wheel disc brakes with optional…

Current Saturn Coupes are durable, hold their value, have good small-car handling and braking, and are sold by a dealer body that seems to genuinely care about lasting customer satisfaction. Despite having a goodly number of the right ingredients in this original Coupe recipe,—the folks at Saturn decided to reheat the Coupe styling and platform engineering for the new model year. A short drive and a quick walk-around convinced us that this little ring bearer is hotter-looking, quieter, and much easier on rear-seat passengers. Previous SC1 and SC2 Coupes looked pleasantly practical but not particularly passionate. For ’97, Saturn has changed every exterior plastic body panel, all the glass, and the front and rear lighting. (The hood, roof, and trunklid remain steel.) Where the premium SC2 Coupe previously had hideaway…

The Aston Martin DB7 embodies British royalty so thoroughly it should have hemophilia and crave boiled meats. Just listen to the names of the colors (colours?) in which the DB7 is offered: Cotswold Champagne, Mendip and Quantock Blue, Cheviot Red, Brecon Anthracite, Pennine Grey, Malvern Silver, and Chiltern Green. Mendip? Pennine? Cotswold? Any American company using those words to describe car colors would be stripped of its defense contracts and subject to boycott by the John Birch Society. Now, with steely British resolve and after selling more than 600 DB7s during the past year, Aston has brought the car to the United States for ’97—and sent a Volante convertible version along with it. During its entire 83-year history, Aston has only made some 13,000 vehicles—about a week’s worth of F-150…

To merely say that the Camry has been a successful model for Toyota is like saying that Michael Jordan has been able to sink a few baskets now and then or that Bill Gates has been able to put away a little money for a rainy day. Throughout the ’90s, the Camry’s been the second-best-selling import vehicle—car or truck—behind only the Honda Accord. For five of the past six years (including so far this year), it’s been the third-best-selling car in the U.S., including both domestics and imports. The Camry has also done consistently well in J.D. Power’s Initial Quality Surveys, and it’s been first or second in its class in IntelliChoice’s “Best Value” awards for the past four years. In 1995, as a five-year-old platform, the Camry pegged its…

Last year, GM Performance Parts introduced its F-1 package of musclebound parts for the Camaro. This year, the same people have trained their sights on the Camaro’s brother, the Pontiac Firebird, and they’re currently readying a package of appearance and performance pieces designed specifically for that car. As this is written, some elements of the “Firebird GT” package are undergoing final refinements and revisions; however, do expect a cat-back exhaust system, ground-effects body panels, special five-spoke aluminum wheels with BFGoodrich tires, a cold-air induction system, a B&M shifter, and graphics and ornamentation. While a V-8-powered Firebird is the natural home for the GT goodies, parts have been engineered for V-6 Firebirds as well. Like the Camaro F-1 pieces, the Firebird GT elements likely will also be separately available outside the…

Ford doesn’t build a six-speed Mustang, but shouldn’t it? Kenny Brown Performance now offers a transmission mount kit that facilitates the installation of the Borg-Warner T56 six-speed manual transmissions into ’86-96 Mustangs. The T56 (used in Z28s, V-8 Firebirds, and the Viper), is larger than the T5 family of five-speed manual trannies Ford fitted to its Mustangs, so the Kenny Brown kit includes transmission cross-member brackets, a rear transmission mount, the necessary fastening hardware, instructions on how to perform the installation, and a phone number for a technical-support line—everything except the transmission, which is available from Borg-Warner. Contact Kenny Brown Performance, 57 Gasoline Alley, Dept. MT, Indianapolis, IN 46222; 317/247-5320. BLOWN BACK Upon its introduction, one element that made the Dodge Viper such a psychotic nostalgia trip was its side-exiting…

Look past all the sophisticated German engineering, black leather, “M” division logos, airbags, high-zoot stereo stuff, and impeccable build quality, and you’ll find that the ’96 BMW M3 has the ’65 Chevelle SS396 Z16’s soul. By boring the inline-six’s cylinders an extra 0.44 millimeter and stretching their stroke 4.1 millimeter, BMW has increased the displacement from 3.0 liters to 3.2 and has found a wellspring of torque production. The ’95’s 3.0-liter engine was wonderful, but the 3.2 has the sort of consistent grunt that could pull Benjamin Netanyahu into the Mideast peace process. Beyond the engine enlargement, the ’96 M3 has also been treated to firmer springs and shocks, a quicker steering ratio, a refined electronic traction control scheme, and wider wheels with 225/45ZR17 front and 245/40ZR17 rear Michelin Pilot…

Just three years ago, Dodge was a marginal player in the full-size-truck business; its best customers were more interested in meter-reading than personal transportation. What changed all that, of course, was Motor Trend’s 1994 Truck of the Year, the then-new Ram. For ’97 Dodge will keep the Ram’s sales momentum going by making versions of the wildly popular ’96 Ram Indy 500 Special Edition truck a permanent part of the regular Ram lineup. The ’96 Indy Special was available only in blue with white stripes, but the ’97 SS/T (Super Sport Truck) will come wearing either red, emerald green, or black with silver stripes, or white with blue stripes. Like the Indy, the SS/T is mechanically a 5.9-liter Magnum V-8-powered Ram SLT regular-cab truck with the appropriate suspension tuning to…

Ford’s 97 F-150 has been an unabashed success. Any fears the company had regarding whether its new truck could replace the best-selling powered vehicle on Earth have been allayed; customers are ecstatic, and the factories are stamping them out at a furious pace. There’s just one problem: It’s going to get hard to tell yours from the other three dozen crowding the Bob Evans parking lot at breakfast time. One of the simplest personalization tricks any truck owner can perform is the installation of a billet front grille insert. Putting E&G Classics’ $295 powder-coated billet aluminum horizontal fins into the nose of an F-150 is so simple, in fact, that Ford’s original plastic mesh grille doesn’t even have to be removed or replaced. This is the sort of project you…

Ford’s all-new F-250 isn’t a toy for play; it’s a work truck. But frankly, it looks almost too good for muddy fields or frame-twisting construction sites. For the past decade, automakers have been making big business out of smooth-riding light pickups for personal use. And for weekend jobs and even around-town commercial use, that new leaner truck breed is almost perfect. But if you’re a contractor regularly hauling heavy-material loads to unpaved building sites, or you’re a weekend racer towing an enclosed trailer i loaded with car, 1 tools, and spares, you need a heavy-duty pickup, like the all-new (under-8500-pound GVW) F-250. Although it shares the same fast 56.7-degree windshield, low-drag sheetmetal, and new short- and long-arm front suspension as the new F-150, it features stiffer front and rear springs,…

If you’ve ever thought about ordering accessories for your automobile through the mail but were unsure of the results, Motor Trend’s Auto Info Mart provides you with a unique opportunity to see what’s available from the surplus of mail-order goodies. Choose from a wide variety of companies offering catalogs and literature full of information on the latest in aftermarket accessories. Fill out and mail the coupon on the adjoining page of this special section, then sit back and let the stores come to you! KIMBERLY-CLARK FREE “CAR-CARE KEYS” brochure featuring breathable Evolution® 4 car cover fabric from Kimberly-Clark. Protective 4-layer E-4 is thick and durable. Soft inner layer pampers paint and wax. Washing, waxing and car-care tips included. You’ll receive informative brochure, Evolution® 4 fabric sample and list of retail…

Heading the Prestige (516/231-7750) lineup of Platinum Series security systems is the new APS-600 ($400). The remote features anti-code-hopping technology, which changes the frequency automatically, making it virtually impossible to bypass the system with a cloned remote. The APS-600 offers a full complement of security, personal safety, and convenience features. Included are two three-button remotes, starter disable, six-tone Multi-Tone siren, flashing parking-light output, plug-in dual-zone shock sensor, seven-function LED, additional vehicle immobilizer output, horn output interface, remote trunk release, protected valet mode, and programmable Auto Lock on/off. For additional convenience and safety, the APS-600 provides a remote programming option to unlock the driver’s door only. For convenience, a remote trunk-release output and keyless-entry interface are provided. APS-600 options include remote starter, remote power window roll-up, garagedoor interface, and the ability…

BEWARE THE ’98 CAMARO Z28 I’d like to make an announcement to all Ford Mustang owners and fans: Get down on your knees and pray to God that the car featured on Motor Trend’s July ’96 cover doesn’t come to life. If it does, mark your calendars for the year 1998 as D-day for your precious little Mustang. With 330 horsepower, 350 pound-feet of torque, and a 4.9-second estimated time for a 0-60 launch, the ’98 Carnaro Z28 will flat-out kick ass. And with an estimated base price of $21,000, the ’98 Carnaro Z28 will redefine “bang for the buck.” Every car short of a Porsche 911 Turbo will be shaking in its chassis when it sees this new Z28 pull up at a red light. A word to GM:…

Take William Bennett’s “The Book of Virtues” and have GM engineer it. The resulting front-drive four-door sedan would be the new ’97 Buick Century. Buick has crafted a comfortable, midsize, value-priced car for adults—people with enduring responsibilities, nearly paid mortgages, and solid track records for reliability. Status, extravagance, and speedway circumnavigation aren’t what this car’s all about. There wasn’t much to save from the just-departed Century, which lingered on far past its prime—though some 2 million units hit the road during the previous iteration’s 15 years of production. About the only carry-over component is the familiar 3.1-liter/160-horsepower OHV V-6 and four-speed automatic transmission, the sole drivetrain offered for ’97. No one at M.I.T. will be bewildered by this power team’s technical “innovation;” however, considering that many cars in this $19,000…

Auto racing, a sport that historically has served as a proving ground for new technology, is expected to play an important role in the development and promotion of electric vehicles. Electric-car-inclusive races already are gathering momentum, with a growing number of events being held worldwide. Although attendance was sparse at early events like the APS Solar & Electric 500 at Phoenix’ Firebird International Raceway, Motor Trend editors recognized the seeds—the debut of a sanctioning race organization, team structures taking form, and both manufacturers and component suppliers exploring the pits—being sewn for an organized sport. What has followed is automotive evolution at work. Other EV races have emerged, such as Virginia Power’s EV Grand Prix, and then an official race series with Formula Lightning electric-spec racers. The ABB University Spec Series…

With one of the grandest bootleg turns in automotive history, the Prowler is about to yank the Plymouth brand out of oblivion and into the liquid-nitrogen zone of coolness. This spring, when the world’s first production-line street rod hits the showrooms, lines will form and fat checks will fly for the chance to bask in this roadster’s purple glow. Reams of verbiage have already been written about this dream machine, but still unanswered is that most burning of questions: How does the Prowler size up against the real thing—original, custom-built, damn-the-price hot rods. Or, put another way, just how cool can a production car be? To help position the Prowler in the automotive cosmos, we recruited two trusty reference points. Bruce Meyer’s ’32 Ford “highboy” roadster is the time machine,…

Reengineering one’s flagship offering is always a unique and formidable challenge. What do you change? What do you keep—and in what proportions? When this type of generational transition occurs in the luxury-sedan market, the stakes are phenomenally high. With its all-new Q45, Infiniti intentionally has opted for the road not taken last time around. The ’97 Q-ship has become a kinder, gentler automobile—not exactly devoid of sporting character, but clearly endowed with a softer and more sophisticated personality than its predecessor. The powertrain layout remains front-engine/rear-drive, but overall length on the new Q45 drops from 199.8 to 199.2 inches and the wheelbase dips from 113.1 inches to 111.1. The unibody has 10 percent more torsional rigidity and four percent more bending resistance than before. Adding to this increased stoutness are…

Yeah, we admit it. We’re major fans of BMW’s new 5-Series. Simply put, it’s the kind of car that has you checking out the longest route possible to any destination rather than seeking shortcuts. Even the “entry-level” 528i never went begging for drivers around here. But when the new V-8-powered 540i finally turned up, there were near fisticuffs in the hallways over who would get command of the keys. Save for its badging, chrome grille bars, 16-inch wheels, and slightly more aggressive tires, there are no exterior visual cues to differentiate a 540i from its less-powerful sibling; just the same sleek bodywork with classic BMW cues and a notable lack of paste-on aerodynamic appendages. Inside, one finds a few more standards: leather upholstery, walnut accent trim, a multi-information display panel,…

Boyd Coddington is known as the world’s premier purveyor of that most American of automotive products, the street rod. Now, he’s gone and applied that street-rod aesthetic to a Volvo 850 Turbo Sportswagon. And why not? Starting with the basic black Volvo box, Coddington’s Chief Designer Chip Foose first stripped the car of all identifying badges and trim. Then he took the lower half of the car (from the side rub strip down) and dipped it into Du Pont Smoothster yellow. A magenta line divides the dark and light zones, and that line is accented with green and orange pinstripes. The upper portion of the taillights was blacked out, necessitating the modification of the lower portion to retain functionality. A hand-formed billet aluminum grille echoes the standard Volvo grille right…

While import subcompacts are the rage among young automotive enthusiasts on the West and East Coasts, domestic small cars largely have been ignored. Modified Saturn sedans, coupes, and wagons, however, have been showing up in growing numbers. If any domestic breaks into this market, it will be Saturn. Among the available Saturn performance products are Eibach’s new Pro-Kit lowering springs. Like all Eibach Sport Kit springs, the Saturn units are available either linear or progressive wound, and lower the vehicle for better stability, a lowered center of gravity, and an aggressive stance. And, like the Saturn, they’re built in America. Contact Eibach Springs, 17817 Gillette Ave., Dept. MT, Irvine, CA 92714; 714/752-6700.…

A YEAR IN THE AWARD-WINNING, CAB-FORWARD SEDAN Chrysler designers left the boxy K-car ’80s-think behind when they penned the striking, cab-forward Cirrus. Along with fellow cloud car Dodge Stratus, the Cirrus embodied Chrysler’s new focus on “team concept” platform development when it debuted for the ’95 model year. Starting with a fresh slate, engineers dissected numerous competitive vehicles, extracting the best qualities from 300 items that consumers interact with, and adapting them to the new model range. Although these new cars were built to be ultra-competitive in the compact-sedan class, which includes the Ford Contour and Nissan Altima, they proved virtuous enough to cull sales from the larger Ford Taurus and Honda Accord. The Cirrus’ combination of design, value, comfort, and performance earned it the coveted Motor Trend 1995 Car…

Winter’s on its way. During the more frigid days, it’s often tempting to “thaw out” by cranking up the heat inside your car. While initially it may feel good, getting too warm and cozy can actually reduce your margin of driving safety. In a study by Volvo, researchers examined how the cabin temperature affected driver reactions, and came up with some sobering data. The team monitored two groups of test drivers: for one the cabin temperature was kept at 70 degrees Fahrenheit, while for the second it was maintained at 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Each driver was subjected to numerous prearranged disturbances, ranging from illuminated warning lamps and changes in engine noise to a blinking light in the rear-view mirror, and each was measured on the amount of time taken before…

FROM THE FACTORY: BMW 328is To complement the underhood music emanating from the 3-Series’ recently refined engines, BMW offers a new 320-watt, 10-speaker Harmon Kardon audio system ($675). With impressions of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class (March ’96) and Audi A4 (June ’96) near-luxury competitors in mind, we acquired a 328is coupe for an acoustic test. The standard AM/FM/cassette receiver includes built-in controls for the optional, dealer-installed CD changer ($795 plus installation). Functional white-on-black script labels all controls. The receiver has a rotary knob for volume, while secondary control functions are handled by a typical mode switch and electronic level controls. BMW doesn’t offer an in-dash AM/FM/CD player as a factory option. The receiver display is an amber LCD panel. It’s noteworthy that the three displays in the central dash area are…

Dodge will get back into the sport/utility business in spring 1998 with a midsize vehicle based on the all-new Dakota pickup’s platform. Oddly, despite Chrysler’s recent success with trucks, the Dodge division hasn’t built an SUV since production of the full-size Ramcharger ended in 1993. Chrysler is believed to be designing new, more efficient engines to replace the 4.0-liter inline-six and 5.2-liter V-8 powerplants currently used in the Jeep Grand Cherokee. But there’s still some question as to whether either engine will be ready in time for the launch of this new Dodge, expected to be called the Adventurer. Transmission choices probably will include a five-speed manual and a four-speed automatic. However, there’s rumor the do-it-yourself shifter might end up being a double-overdrive six-speed. It’s also likely the premium-trim-level Adventurer…

Infiniti steps into the hot sport/utility field for ’97 with its new QX4. This compact SUV is based on the recently introduced Nissan Pathfinder, but has numerous mechanical upgrades and additional comfort and convenience touches. Visually, the QX4 has its own distinctive front and rear fascias with different head/tail/foglamps, a new hood, unique body cladding and fender flares, plus a custom step rail. Inside, this new on/off-roader is swathed in supple leather and high-grade carpet. The power front buckets are all-new and offer greater comfort and support than the Pathfinder’s seats. While the dash is carryover, the faces on the analog instrument cluster wear the trademark Infiniti script. In addition to dual airbags and side-impact door beams, the QX4’s roster of standards includes an anti-theft system, remote keyless entry, cruise…

Amid growing concerns and rising fatalities from airbags, the Department of Transportation announced an “unprecedented” coalition of automobile manufacturers, airbag suppliers, insurance companies, safety organizations, and the federal government to prevent injuries and fatalities that are inadvertently caused by airbags. Coalition members have pledged $10 million to support an extensive national education program and increased enforcement of all seatbelt and child-seat laws. The funds also will be used to lobby states to pass “primary” seatbelt laws, which allow police to stop a driver for failing to use a seatbelt. (Only 12 states have such laws.) The need for the coalition was prompted by the fact that at least 19 children have been killed by deploying airbags. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) already has issued a warning not to…

Tune in every Sunday to TNN (The Nashville Network) for “Motor Trend Television.” Each 30-minute program offers an inside look at everything hot in the world of wheels. We’ve got new-vehicle previews, comparison tests, late-breaking industry news, historical profiles, simple do-it-yourself upgrades, and lots more. Check local TV listings for show times in your area. This months highlights will include first tests of the new Plymouth Prowler, the LT4-powered Chevrolet Carnaro SS, and the rough-and-tumble ZR2-spec Chevy Blazer. We’ll also take a look back at a couple of vintage muscle monsters, the Boss 429 Mustang and the Dodge Challenger 440 Six-Pack. MOTOR TREND ONLINE: Be sure to visit the Motor Trend Web site at http://www.motortrend.com…

With 165 new cars and minivans awaiting your perusal, there’s not a minute to spare! Your work is cut out for you: 28 solid pages of tantalizing hardware. But before you dive in, here’s what you need to know to make sense of it all. Our alphabetical listing includes all passenger cars and minivans. Trucks, full-size vans, and sport/utility vehicles will be covered next month in our 1997 New Truck Buyer’s Guide. The vehicle descriptions here are based on the best information available as of press time. In each vehicle’s spec chart, the figures for curb weight, brakes, and fuel economy apply to the base trim level of the model in question. So, keep in mind that higher-grade versions normally weigh more, often have more elaborate brake systems, and almost…

IT’S the fall of ’88. Michael Dukakis is test-driving tanks. Fuzz-faced 17-year-old Jeff Gordon is racing USAC sprint cars. The Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 prepares to seize the weighty crown of King of the Hill. Our spy photographers snap as-yet-unnamed models from Toyota’s new luxury channel, Lexus. A sneak peek at the new “four-door Bronco II” blows us away—which, as the Explorer, it would later do to the car-buying public. Also in the fall of that year, Ford unveils a hot-rod version of its top-selling Taurus. In honor of its silky, sophisticated, Yamaha-produced 3.0-liter/220-horsepower DOHC V-6, it’s called the SHO, for Super High Output. Immediately, it’s clear the SHO is not only a giant leap over the plain Taurus, but also a step above most cars—foreign and domestic—that lay claim to…

It’s 5 a.m. on a midsummer Sunday. The first hint of dawn gives shape to the clouds. We’re waiting to wring out a semifactory prototype: a Chevrolet Carnaro Z28 SS, its engine bay stuffed with a 330-horse-plus LT4 swiped from a Corvette Grand Sport. This isn’t a clandestine test at a deserted proving grounds. Instead, we’re about to blast SLP Engineering’s ’97 development mule into the fray at the SCCA’s Longest Day of Nelson 24-hour street stock race. (Imagine an around-the-clock “Mad Max” chase over twisty, bumpy farm roads—on fast forward.) Although the prototype has survived 16 hours of torture, before 6 a.m. we’ll run a lap 1.1 seconds quicker than our pole-position-winning time. Normally, to keep growing pains private, manufacturers develop prototypes in CIA-level secrecy, but SLP Engineering, which…

Currently back in wheel fashion is three-piece construction, which turns a wheel’s assembly into an aesthetic feature. An example of the haughtiest of wheel haute couture is Ronal’s new aluminum and titanium ACT-SX. Available in 16-, 17-, 18-, and 19-inch diameters, the seven-spoke SX is available with either a silver clearcoat finish and polished outer lip, or with chrome or customized finishes—if your credit line can stand it. The wheels are German built and meet that nation’s legendary strict standards for performance products. Suggested retail prices start at $715 for a silver 16×7.0-inch model ($965 in chrome). Contact Ronal USA, 15692 Computer Lane, Dept. MT, Huntington Beach, CA 92649; 600/899-1212.…

’96 AUDI A4 QUATTRO The Audi A4 Quattro wundercar continues to impress us with its luxurious trappings and ultracompetitive as-tested price. Although the 2.8-liter/172-horse V-6 and five-speed automatic transmission combine to deliver a rather sedate 9.5-second 0-60-mph time, the composed Quattro driveline feels capable of doling out even more power to all four wheels. The anti-lock disc brakes provide brief, predictable stops, but coat the front 16-inch alloy wheels with lots of brake dust. Logbook entries rave about the richly textured dash, sport steering wheel, and genuine walnut trim; however, there seems to be a steep learning curve for mastering the stereo and climate controls. The leatherette-upholstered, mildly bolstered seats have met with favorable reviews, with the exception of one editor who would prefer more lumbar support. A few full-size…

Any vehicle will seem tame to retired three-time Grand Prix motorcycle racing champion Kenny Roberts; the most exotic sports car is wimpy compared to the knee-dragging high-speed antics he performed daily as a motorcyclist. Now ministering to the needs of his own Grand Prix team, needs that keep him in Europe for months at a time, Roberts wanted a vehicle as all-American as he is and talented enough to handle both sustained autobahn velocities and muddy Iberian byways. His solution is a supercharged Jeep Grand Cherokee upon which to straddle his worldwide enterprise. Every element of the Roberts Cherokee is subordinate to the Vortech Vl-S centrifugal blower sitting in the engine bay’s left front corner. Vortech claims that on the Jeep’s 5.2-liter Magnum V-8 engine, the exhalation of six pounds…

As a rule of thumb regarding what gasoline grade to buy, simply use the octane level that’s recommended in your owner’s manual; buying a higher grade than that is usually a waste of money. Now, for the fine print. In reality, an engine’s octane requirement isn’t fixed; it can vary due to such factors as the car’s age, its internal condition, and the type of loads for which the engine is used. “All cars—I don’t care what fuel you use—are going to increase in their octane requirement from when they’re brand-new,” says Lewis Gibbs, of the Chevron Research and Technology Company. “In today’s cars, the average octane requirement increase (ORI) is approximately four numbers. But you’ll find cars that are two and others that are 10.” If a vehicle with…

ALL-IN-ONE CD CHANGER & AMPLIFIER UPGRADE Here’s a great idea whose time has come: the JVC (201/794-3900) KD-MA1 CD changer system. Offering true CD sound without the performance limitations of an FM modulator interface, the KD-MA1 ($550) combines the world’s smallest 12-disc CD changer, a full-function remote control, and a 120-watt, four-channel amplifier, all in a simple-to-install package. The KD-MA1 can be installed directly with most nonpremium factory-installed systems. For direct, plug-in compatibility, JVC offers a selection of Smart Cables for many popular Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Honda/Acura, Nissan, and Toyota applications. MAXIMUM FLEXIBILITY EQ/AMPLIFIER INTERFACE The Model 50 Powered Signal Processor ($600) from AudioContro] (206/775-8461) combines speaker or line-level inputs, separate front and rear equalization, and a 200-watt amplifier. This versatile component, designed to work in harmony with most…