Innehållsförteckning för December 1995 från MotorTrend

Toyota put a definitive end to rumors about the possible demise of its minicompact Paseo by making major changes to this affordable sport coupe for ’96. We recently got some extended time behind the wheel of a preproduction model. The second generation of this sporty 2+2 front-driver continues to share its flooipan and powertrain with the more utilitarian Tercel. Its sole engine, the workhorse 1.5-liter/93-horsepower DOHC four, can be paired with either a base five-speed manual, as was our vehicle, or with the optional four-speed automatic transmission. Performance is spiy, if not stirring, with our car running 0-60 mph in 9.5 seconds. Carryover suspension hardware consists of struts up front and a torsion beam with trailing arms in the rear trimmed out with a pair of anti-roll bars. Standard 14-inch…

From its conception, the full-size Ram pickup was bold, different, and perhaps even daring. Apparently, Dodge has decided not to stray too far from the highly successful mold for its upcoming retake on the midsize Dakota, due out in late 1996. There are subtle differences, but you have to look closely to discern them. For example, the new Dakota’s bull’s-eye grille isn’t as square as the Ram’s. In fact, it’s slightly heart-shaped. Peek through the bra on this disguised truck and you’ll note amber parking lights just below the headlamps, a feature missing from the Ram. Overall, the ’97 Dakota has a slicker, leaner, cleaner look than its bigger brother. Insiders claim the production Dakota sheetmetal will offer considerably more contouring than truck buyers are accustomed to seeing on their…

Beam Me Home, Scotty What happened to the promise of the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS)? Well, you won’t be beaming your Bimmer home from work anytime soon, but new technologies are beginning to spread across the country to make the drive smoother and safer; for example, New Jersey and Oklahoma can now collect commuter tolls by reading electronic devices on license plates and then billing at the end of the month. This saves gas, reduces traffic snarls, and lowers emissions. Highways in about a dozen states are implementing video cameras and fiber-optic cables that beam accident and congestion information back to a central command unit. With real-time data, traffic can be rerouted quickly using highway message boards, and dispatch times for police and emergency units can be drastically reduced. Changing…

Nissan and Bose teamed up to produce a custom audio system for the previous-generation Maxima, then upped the ante with a more powerful setup in the allnew Maxima, Motor Trend’s 1995 Import Car of the Year. Introduced then as standard fare in the GLE and a $799 option in both SE and GXE models, the Bose system’s price and availability continue unchanged for ’96. Six separate drivers are utilized to fill the Maxima’s acoustic cabin. Four fullrange 6.5-inch speakers are each powered by a 50-watt switching amplifier incorporating its own equalization circuitry. The individual amps are mounted close to the speakers, two of which are mounted in the lower front corners of driver and passenger doors. The other two 6.5s, with their dedicated 50-watt amplifier, are mounted in the rear…

It seems crazy to many people, but a vehicle’s kick panels can be effective speaker locations in many cars. Doors are often too restrictive to accommodate certain speaker sizes, and the nearest channel is sometimes placed so close to the listener that there’s little chance for proper spatial rendition—the re-creation of an illusory soundstage. Kick panels, on the other hand, may provide enough room for a good-size midrange or midbass driver. Mounting speakers in the kick panels also reduces the difference in the path lengths between the speaker and the listener, which often helps stereo imaging characteristics. From Ai Research comes an add-on product that makes kickpanel speaker installation simple and aesthetic. At $199 per pair, the company’s innovative Q-Forms are designed to fit into different types of vehicles, replacing…

Wouldn’t it be great if adding top-notch security to your vehicle was as simple as swapping a relay module into your car’s fuse block? It sounds too good to be true, but that’s exactly how the Digital AutoSense relays from National Digitronics Corporation are installed. Smart Security Modules A variety of “smart relays” is offered to disconnect the fuel, starter, and ignition circuits, and honk the horn and flash the lights, when a car’s security is violated. AutoSense relays are available to replace fuel-pump and ignition-system relays, powertrain control modules, electronic engine control, ignition and starter, as well as safety and auto shutdown relays. A basic system bundling these and other function relays costs under $200. An enhanced version, which includes keyless door and trunk entry, adds about $100 to…

If you can handle a monthly nut of about $400, a world of possibilities opens up. That’s the general payment point that slides you into vehicles with MSRPs of about $25,000—a comfortable margin above the industry average—so you can choose among mainstream cars with maxed-out equipment lists, or even move a little upscale to the fringes of the near-luxury segment. Either way, life is pretty good, with strong alternatives from Japanese, European, and domestic manufacturers. When Ford engineers set out to redesign the most popular pas-Wy senger car in America, they didn’t hold back: the ’96 Taurus has dramatic new styling that conceals far-reaching improvements to almost every system on the car. The result is a safer, quieter, better-built car that brings Ford’s mainstream family sedan up to best-in-the-class levels…

ROAD TEST Congratulations. All those years of hard work and dedication are finally starting to pay off. And while it’s still a bit premature to begin pondering early retirement, the time has come to take that first modest step toward automotive affluence. Ever ready to make certain the journey starts off on the right foot, we’ve brought together five success-oriented sedans for your consideration. With sales data indicating that Americans shop ping the entry-level luxury market currently favor traditional European nameplates, our aspirants all boast Continental pedigrees. Despite an admittedly broad variation in their mechanical specifics, each of these players offers a legitimate alternative for anyone looking to arrive in style. In fact, one could properly envision this assemblage in terms of a trip to a candy store: It might…

Pontiac Bonnevilles, particularly the ones with serious firepower under the hood, are coining clean. Getting all the good Bon neville suspension and powertrain hardware traditionally meant accepting boy-racer styling with airdams, deck spoilers, and bulky bodyside cladding. For many of us, that’s fine. But for many more, a top-flight sport sedan’s presence doesn’t need to be shouted, just announced with clean lines and elegant details. With the ’96 freshening, the Bonneville sheetmetal now accurately reflects the true nature of these domestic road tamers. Exterior changes for ’96 include new front fenders, front and rear fascias, bodyside moldings, spoiler, and taillamps. Capping off the crisp bodywork is a fresh palette of sophisticated colors. Because there’s no “sport” in a sport sedan without a powerful engine, the standard 3.8-liter/205-horsepower OHV V-6 or…

Full-size sport/utes have an image of no-compromises capability. In the case of the Tahoe, this isn’t mere image, it’s reality—made all the more tangible by a newly reengineered 5.7-liter V-8 dubbed the Vortec 5700. This is more than just a marketing ploy: Horsepower has shot up by 25 percent to a total of 250, and torque has improved by nine percent to 335 pound-feet. The old engine hit its horsepower maximum at 4000 rpm, and its peak torque at 2400 rpm. The Vortec keeps right on crankin’ past that landmark to develop maximum horsepower at 4600 rpm. And though torque now peaks at a higher 2800 rpm, the flat expanse of torque available all across the rev range gives you more power at virtually any engine speed. Lean on the…

THE COMPACT PICKUP THAT THINKS IT’S A Z28 Sporty trucks fielded to date by Chevy (SS 454), Ford (F-150 Lightning), and GMC Truck (Syclone and Typhoon) have won a few converts, but no hotted-up hauler has yet transcended boutique status to succeed in the mainstream. With this in mind, GM small-truck-engineer Frank Taverna set out to build a better mousetrap, and it’s now starring in Chevrolet and GMC Truck showrooms. Wearing GMC Truck trim, it has been dubbed the Sonoma GT (though the prototype we tested lacked final I.D. badges to confirm that fact). Taverna pursued what he calls a European tuning philosophy to improve the Sonoma’s handling. Consistent with past efforts, ride height is lowered by two full inches. Instead of simply stiffening every suspension setting, Taverna selected softer…

Bridgestone’s popular Blizzak, a nonstudded ice and snow tire that in recent years has been available only for passenger cars, is now being offered in sizes to fit most sport/utiiity vehicles. The Chevrolet Blazer and Suburban, Ford Explorer, Jeep Cherokee, Nissan Pathfinder, and Toyota 4Runner are specifically targeted by the new 205/75-15, 215/75-15, and 235/75-15 tire sizes ($75-$ 140). Since studies show that most SUV owners use all-season tires year-round rather than switch to snow tires in severe winter months, Bridgestone figures a substantial market exists for those in search of maximum traction in snow-1 bound states. The Blizzak features a E patented Multicell compound containing millions Ag of microscopic dents, or W pores, which are said to offer extra grip on ice by removing the thin layer of surface…

During the ’90s, Cadillac has worked to regain its position as the domestic technological leader. For ’96, that effort has led to innovations ranging from whimsically clever (the “Rainsense” system, which automatically selects wiper speeds according to the amount of rain detected there by fight reflection) to impressively practical (the Northstar V-8’s new Dex-Cool coolant doesn’t need replacement for 100,000 miles). The most intriguing development, however, is the Continuously Variable Road Sensing Suspension (CV-RSS) on the Cadillac STS, ETC, and Concours. The CV-RSS evolved from the two-position (soft and firm) damping used on previous Northstar Caddies, but it incorporates continuously variable valves to facilitate an infinite range of damper settings between the two extremes during operation. The variable shock absorbers at each comer react almost instantly according to information gathered…

Sure your new $100,000, 400-horsepower Porsche 911 Turbo is superquick (0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds), comers awesomely (around the skidpad at 1.01 g), and is so friendly, your German Shepherd could lap the Niirburgring like Nuvolari. But you’re not satisfied. H&R Spezialfedem GmbH & Co. has just the thing for malcontents like you; its Level Adjuster drops the Turbo’s ride height between 30 and 40 millimeters through adjustable shocks with integral double springs. Just wind each shock up or down to tune. H&R claims this improves the Turbo’s already ungodly traction, which must mean you can then drive it upside down on the ceiling of San Francisco’s fabulous Cow Palace. Brush up on your German and contact H&R, P.O. Box 3106, Dept. MT, D-57348 Lennestadt-Trockenbriick, Germany; or call 011 49…

MUSCLECAR MAYHEM Ford has done it again. After years of waiting for the 4.6-liter high-output V-8, the Blue Oval’s brain trust has given it to us: The much-rumored 305-horsepower Mustang is now available (“Inside the 305hp ’96 Mustang,” Sept. ’95). Like the previous Cobra and Cobra R, this new Cobra will be a limited edition. (So what else is new?) Ten thousand people with the right connections can purchase one. I’m sure they’ll either trailer the Mustangs, or have them delivered to their homes and then dash off quick letters to Hemmings Motor News, advertising them for sale. When will Ford wise up and just produce as many cars as buyers want? After all, General Motors seems to be having no problem using this method with Camaros and Firebirds. Jim…

’97 JEEP WRANGLER REDO Jeep’s popular Wrangler gets a major overhaul for the ’97 model year, with a new “retro” look and a host of mechanical upgrades. The softly contoured cowl and grille along with the round headlamps of the ’54-86 era Jeep CJ are back. Insiders say aero considerations forced the change. Protests were strong nine years ago when the grille and lamps were squared off, and concerned customers continue to warn Chrysler stylists not to “mess” with the Jeep’s classic appearance. Like the evergreen Porsche 911, the Wrangler has become an automotive icon. Far more than just the Wrangler’s exterior appearance has changed. Its interior has been completely revamped with dual airbags, a new instrument cluster, new seats and door trim, and an all-new heating/vcntilation/air-conditioning package. Our spy…

it’s been two years since the troubled Vector Aeromotive Corporation was purchased by MegaTech, Ltd., the Indonesian holding company that also acquired Auto-raobili Lamborghini from Chrysler. In August, work began on the first new offering, a heavily revised and much less expensive version of the stillborn Avtech SC, from the reinvigorated Vector organization. Under the design stewardship of Ian Doble, former engineering director at Lotus Cars, much of the unnecessary space-age technology used on the original Avtech SC was jettisoned in favor of a more cost-effective approach. That process allowed the sticker price on the now-renamed Vector M12 to be trimmed from $420,000 to a “mere” $189,000. Although it remains a midengined two-seater, the new Vector’s exotic all-carbon-fiber bodywork has been replaced with reinforced fiberglass and lightweight composites that bolt…

A TIRELESS CRUSADE Automakers and tire companies are actively working to deal with the growing problem of used-tire disposal. Ford, for instance, is cooperating with Michelin to see if rubber from old tires can be successfully recycled in the production of new ones. Initial testing shows that up to 10 percent of a tire can be composed of recycled material without sacrificing durability and performance. The two companies say that Ford cars and trucks may be using new tires incorporating recycled rubber within five years. How serious is the environmental problem created by old tires? More than 3 billion tires are estimated to be languishing in landfills and aboveground stockpiles worldwide. About 250 million more scrap tires are generated in this country every year. On a positive note, about 60…

The Maxima’s Bose system is a fine value, but the bass diminishes noticeably if you turn down the rear speakers (fade forward). Cure this and deepen the bass response by adding a subwoofer specified for use in “infinite baffle” configurations, such as JL Audio’s 101B4 ($119). Install it in the rear deck and drive it with a mono or bridged stereo amp that has an internal crossover, such as Sony’s 50-watt-per-channel XM-250 ($170). interfacing with Bose systems is tricky but XL. possible. Find a good installer or X consider replacing the in-dash source unit. The original Clarion-built head is quite good; the fast-forward button always winds the cassette forward for the side that’s playing (unlike some decks that make you determine which side is playing before you know what the…

A car’s interior isn’t a friendly place for a handheld cellular phone. Set the phone on the dashboard or passenger seat, and it becomes a projectile the moment you stab the brakes. Nearly as bad, put it in the glovebox, and it becomes a nuisance to grab when you need it. The solution: EasyGrip cellphone cradles from Sima. These handy holders feature an adjustable grip to accommodate any size phone and have an easy button-operated release. The EasyGrip ($50) plugs directly into a cigarette lighter receptacle, providing an instant mount for your cellphone as well as a ready 12-volt outlet at its base for a phone’s car cord. No tools are needed to adjust the unit so it’s an easy fit for different cars or drivers. Another model, the EasyGrip-2…

Welcome to the really good life. If a monthly $500 hit to your checking account fails to send you scrambling for the Maalox, you’re a prime candidate for what’s often referred to as the entry-level luxury class. Expect few compromises with Equipped MSRPs in the $35,000 range: Standard equipment is lavish, and prestige is served up in satisfying portions. The threesome we’ve chosen here covers a lot of territory, but choices abound at this payment point. Fun The shape remains the same, but the inline six-cylinder engine that powers the BMW 3-Series has undergone a significant change for ’96. Formerly, it displaced 2.5 liters and made 189 horsepower (and the nameplate read 325is); the fresh engine has a longer stroke, boosting displacement to 2.8 liters, but merely increasing horsepower to…

Mazda struck gold with its diminutive Miata MX-5 roadster, which has been one of the world’s best-selling sports cars since its introduction as a ’90 model. Little has changed through the years, with the exception of the replacement of the original 1.6-liter/116-horsepower engine in the ’94 model year with a 1.8-liter/128-horse-power inline-four. Limited-run versions, such as the coveted British Racing Green color scheme, have helped some owners maintain an exclusive flair despite being one of the more than 350,000 total MX-5 owners. With the Miata now entering its seventh model year, Mazda is looking toward the car’s future. A gathering wave of European competitors lurks on the horizon in the form of the BMW Z3, Porsche Boxster, and Mercedes-Benz SLK, but this doesn’t mean the Miata’s days are numbered. The…

Interested in a nose job for your pickup? No, we’re not talking autoplasty here, but rather the addition of a custom HardNose bumper cover from Lund Industries. Lund, a prolific manufacturer and marketer of accessories for pickups, vans, and sport/utiiity vehicles, offers the HardNose for late-model Chevy, Dodge, and Ford pickups for $220-$245, depending on the model. It’s available with or without a license-plate frame. The three-piece plastic bumper cover is designed to be painted from behind to prevent stone damage and to provide a custom bumper look. Installation is via industrial-strength 3M tape. The HardNose is said to be virtually indestructible and carries a lifetime warranty. Contact Lund Industries, 911 Lund Blvd., Dept. MT, Minneapolis, MN 55303; 800/328-2293. Trucks are made for hauling, but a big load can drastically…

DRIVING IMPRESSION Oldsmobile is literally between a rock and a hard place. The rock is John D. Rock, the division’s I general manager and visionary. The hard place is where Oldsmobile intends to be on August 21, 1997, when it celebrates its 100th anniversary: ready and able to fight the popular Japanese and European models. Frustrating this grand venture is the fact that Olds will have no blockbuster car introductions—such as the Aurora—-to help tone its muscles during the next two years. To stay in shape during the long wait for all-new products, Oldsmobile is quietly but aggressively revolutionizing its ideas and practices and has made improving existing models in the lineup a top priority. For the ’96 model year, it’s finally the economical Achieva’s turn for some well-deserved attention.…

Like any good induction-system improvement, nitrous oxide (N20) helps an engine make more power by helping it breathe better. However, unlike other induction improvers, nitrous supplements the normal atmosphere (air) with a compound conducive to efficient combustion. There’s proportionately more oxygen in nitrous oxide than in air, so injecting it into an engine with extra fuel causes bigger bangs in the combustion chamber—and bigger bangs mean more power. Nitrous Oxide Systems’ (NOS) kit for the LTl-powered Chevrolet Impala SS (and Caprice, Buick Roadmaster, and Cadillac Fleetwood) is basically the same system it sells for new Z28s and Trans Ams. In addition to the bottle of nitrous and the required lines and hoses to funnel it into the engine, the $927 kit includes the necessary solenoids, arming switch, and throttle trigger,…

BBS earned its reputation by building racing eels for everything from club racers to Indy and Le Mans winners. The latest version of the classic BBS lace-design wheel is the new RSII, which, BBS asserts, “utilizes several unique features and new casting technologies that make it the most advanced wheel on the market.” Among those unique features are an integral hidden air valve, a polished stainless-steel rim protector, and titanium assembly bolts. Exotica doesn’t come cheap (prices start at $820 per wheel), so it’s comforting to know that wheel locks are standard with every RSII. Currently offered in 17-, 18-, 19-, and 20-inch diameters for “select” European models, the RSII will be available soon for American and Japanese applications. Contact BBS at 800/422-7972 for more information.…

It’s likely you haven’t even seen a new ’96 Mercedes E-class on the road yet. But that hasn’t kept Carlsson Autotechnik from developing a whole range of performance products for the new sedan. That includes suspension pieces, wheels up to 19 inches in diameter, six-piston alloy brakes, and engine parts, including enough goodies to compel 425 horsepower out of the E420’s 4.2-liter V-8. The most visible pieces, though, are new body bits (front spoiler, side aprons, rear apron, and rear spoiler), which visually lower the car and, Carlsson claims, ensure brake ventilation and oil-cooler effectiveness. How much does this stuff cost? Contact Carlsson Autotechnik GmbH, Nordstrabe 8, Dept. MT, D-66780 Rehlin-gen, Germany; or call 011 49 6835 4011 to find out.…

Construction workers, street-tough customizers, and about a million truck enthusiasts formed a legion of first-generation GMC S-15/Chevrolet S-10 owners drawn together by the compact pickups’ size, versatility, and value. For commercial use, the S-15/S-10 platform could be had as a bare-bones strippo powered by a four-cylinder engine at an ultralow base price. People in need of additional interior space could order the extended cab, and off-roaders could opt for four-wheel drive. During the development of its second-generation S-trucks, General Motors used customer clinics to evaluate progress, forecast the market share, establish benchmarks for small pickups, and fine-tune advertising campaigns. Quantifying class-leading benchmarks in 56 categories gave engineers concrete goals, whether those were increased engine power or simply improved doorlatch tension. The result of this hard work was unveiled for the…

So, what exactly is the X-90? That seems to be the question of the hour. Even American Suzuki doesn’t quite know where the new vehicle fits into the overall scheme of things. It’s almost a mini 4x4 sport/utility, but not quite. It’s similar to a small two-door sports car, but, well, different. Over the past few years, various automakers have played with the concept of a hybrid 4x4 sports car on the show circuit, but Suzuki is the first to bring one to the showroom, creating a niche that’s so new it hasn’t yet been named. The X-90 is based on the two-door Sidekick platform, which gives it a higher seating position than that in a conventional passenger car (especially a sports car), a 6.5-inch ground clearance for moderate offroad…

General Motors’ Lansing Automotive Division is putting the finishing ride and handling touches on an all-new front-drive platform code-named P90. In addition to serving as the host chassis for a nextgeneration Buick and Oldsmobile midsize sedan, it will also be used by Chevrolet. Tire smallish car seen here is the re placement for the Beretta Coupe—which will be dropped in ’97—and the four-door Corsica, both of which share the current, rather pedestrian L-platform. And following Chevy’s trend of resurrecting ’70s model names, the new Chevy P90 will be badged as a Malibu. Major enhancements on tap include a smoother, more powerful standard four-cylinder engine and a significantly more compliant ride than the Beretta/Corsica provides. Along with anticipating a passenger-compartment size that rivals ChryCo’s roomy Cirrus/Stratus/Breeze sedans, inside sources say the…

Leasing is no longer some new-age homeopathic herbal alternative to actually buying a vehicle. A third of all new cars and trucks roll off the dealer lots with lease agreements in their gloveboxes. Industry analysts predict that by the beginning of the 21st century, half of all new vehicles will be leased instead of purchased outright. Driving a new car every two or three years (and thus, one that’s always protected under a manufacturer’s warranty) can be very appealing. So can the freedom from typical third-and fourth-year expenses like tires, tuneups, and repairs. However, leasing becomes particularly attractive when the carrot of a low monthly payment is dangled in front of a customer’s salivating mouth. With the average new-car price bounding past $20,000, many people have become more comfortable with…

By the time you claw your way to the pinnacle of financial solvency, you’re ready for a reward. For many people, the extravagance of a premium vehicle is a natural choice. Here we’ve gathered a trio in the vicinity of $50,000 MSRP that covers a lot of bases: When you’re writing big checks, however, your specific needs and desires are the only real priorities. Regardless of your ultimate choice, you’re shopping in the heart of customersatisfaction territory. Enjoy. You might have to look twice to convince yourself that conservative Mercedes-Benz could create the striking E320 sedan. Look at those headlights: They’re so… oval. This new midsize sedan represents a daring course change for Mercedes-Benz. Beneath the new body, however, the same core values remain: solid engineering, sport-sedan performance, safety, and…

ROAD TEST After a half decade of top-down thrills, the nimble Miata has attained a cultlike following among driving enthusiasts. To fuel excitement for the popular-but-aging roadster, Mazda’s designers were challenged over a year ago with creating a stylized Miata to gauge public opinion regarding evolutionary changes. Judging from the reactions this car has garnered at auto shows this past year, and 5000 subsequent phone calls from excited enthusiasts, the eye-popping M Speedster styling exercise can certainly be termed a success. Watching the extroverted Speedster roll out of the car transporter at our test track, our palms grew sweaty in anxious anticipation of gripping the leather-wrapped steering wheel and tearing through some hard turns while listening to the supercharger’s wailing song. Our walk-around evaluation began at the aggressive, recognizably modified…

For the hot-rodder who lurks in most of us, there’s nothing quite like the thrill of going the factoiy one better. A case in point is this not-so-mild-mannered late-model Bronco. Beneath the hood, the first step was to replace the stock paper air-filter element with a lifetime K&N Filtercharger for improved flow into the engine. Factory wires were replaced with a set of Jacobs Electronics’ eightmillimeter Energy Core ignition wires. A Performance Module Super Chip from Automotive Digital Systems (ADS) was then installed to maximize computer-controlled performance functions including ignition timing and air/fuel calibrations. The ADS kit comes with the Performance Module, mounting hardware, a recalibrated-distributor octane bar, and a new thermostat. The Bronco’s stock muffler and tailpipe also were replaced with a stainless-steel Borla Performance 50-state-legal system to improve…

FACTORY NEWS Find the Hidden Corvette in These Photos Caught testing down in California’s brutally desolate and agonizingly hot Death Valley, these cars offer a tantalizing glimpse into the future of not only the Camaro, but possibly the Corvette, as well. It’s likely that the green Camaro isn’t a Camaro at all, but a ’98 Corvette prototype cleverly disguised with Camaro body panels. Clues pointing to this include the apparently altered wheelbase, the extended rear overhang, the large rear fender flares, and the fuel-filler port relocated fore and above the rear wheel opening. All these changes make sense if under the skin lies the next Corvette’s chassis with its wide tires, rear-mounted transaxle, and centrally located fuel cell. It seems very unlikely that this car is a one-off toy or…

Opening your car’s hood ought to be a dramatic event, something the neighbors ooh and aah about as the magnificence of your powerplant is revealed. But it’s hard to do that when you have to hold that lid Up Witla a cheap, flimsy-looking rod that never in the hole A intended to hold it in place. Well, if you oven a Volkswagon Golf, Cabrio-lei. Jetta or Passat Neuspeed has a solution. Its P-Lift system replaces that clumsy prop rod with two gas-pressure cylinders along the fender tops, to provide all the lifting power necessary for sensational hood raisings. The $125 kit includes complete instructions and all the parts needed for the bolt-on installation. Contact Neuspeed, 3300 Corte Malpaso, Dept. MT, Camarillo, CA 93012; 805/388-8111.…

Okay, so your engine breathes with the high-performance efficiency of Secretariat racing down the Belmont homestretch. It may have cost a lot of money to get there (manifold, headers, etc.), but you’ve now got one mean, respirating machine. If only it looked the part… That’s where Bosal’s Brospeed exhaust tips come in. Built from 14-gauge steel, these MIG-welded tips have a gunmetal finish and polished chrome extension with a true rolled end. With diame ters ranging from three inches all the way up to 4.5 inches, these things could contain the New York subway system. The tips are available for nearly any vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine, start at about $52, and attach either via clamps or by welding. Contact Bosal Exhaust USA, Inc., 14 Troy Hills Road,…

MICHELIN’S PERFORMANCEPRIORITY PILOT SX MXX3 GOES HEfiD TO HEfib WITH ITS XGT Z4 ALL-WEATHER SIBLING THE TIRES Michelin says its Pilot SX MXX3 is designed to “provide ultimate levels of handling and wet traction.” Translation: In the compromises-required world of tire-tread compounding and carcass construction, the MXX3 grips as if your car were fitted with an invisible Indy-car wing and provides hard-wired-to-your-brain feedback. Unavoidably, this comes at the expense of ride comfort, wear, and cold-weather aplomb, among other factors. Impressive wet-weather performance is enhanced with wide circumferential grooves to allow the tread blocks to reach the pavement, while angled grooves on the shoulder help wet cornering. Available in 20 sizes—from 205/50ZR15 to 325/30ZR18—the MXX3 is standard equipment on the BMW M3 and the Toyota Supra Turbo, among others. The XGT…

’95 CHEVROL ET BLAZER LT Ordering the Blazer’s Touring suspension package has paid dividends of carlike comfort, as a recent round trip to San Francisco proved. Cozy seating and plenty of storage space allowed our senior feature editor and his growing family to comfortably make the 1000-mile journey. From his logbook notes: “The rear seats are so quick and easy to fold flat. I give the design an ‘A.’” Once back in Los Angeles, several stalling incidents sent our Blazer to the local dealer, where we also had problems with excessively hard shifts and an inaccurate fuel gauge corrected under warranty. Two weeks later, the “service engine” light illuminated without any symptoms. Mechanics traced the problem through the Blazer’s computer to a faulty sensor—which was also replaced under warranty. Since…