Innehållsförteckning för December 1998 från MotorTrend

These are heady times for the Cat People. Since being purchased by Ford Motor Company some eight years ago, the revered British luxury marque has found itself on a major roll. Hot on the heels of a revitalized XJ sedan, the sporty XK8 arrived to solid international acclaim. But the biggest news is due next spring with the debut of the all-new S-Type. In addition to carrying a more affordable pricetag that will help expand Jaguar’s overall market reach, this striking saloon marks the initial cooperative effort with its parent company on a shared platform. We got our first formal look at the S-Type in England recently where several right-hand-drive prototypes were rolled out for a hands-on inspection. At the time, Jag’s new baby was still undergoing suspension development, which…

Nobody has yet designed the car that won’t crash. The technoids are getting close with automobiles equipped with proximity sensors that apply brake and steering corrections, but they’re not going to be fun to drive. This year, Porsche sets out to prove that sports car enjoyment and active safety really do go together with the introduction of the all-wheel-drive 911 Carrera 4. PSM is the key: Porsche Stability Management, combined with a further refined four-wheel-drive system, should banish that last, fingering iota of concern anyone may have about the legendary oversteering beast, with its six-cylinder engine overhung at the rear. Some of the best brains in Stuttgart originally conceived those cars with engines mounted behind the rear wheels, and their heirs have worked on the challenge of development overcoming design.…

Having the right tool for the job is critical. Ask any master plumber, carpenter, electrician, or farmer. The wrong tool or the wrong-size tool just doesn’t get it done properly, safely, or economically. For ’99, Chevrolet completely reinvented its pickup, widely recognized as one of America’s top cargo-hauling tools. The Silverado clearly raises the pickup standard with an array of improvements that will certainly touch many people’s Eves; after all, its predecessor, the CZK, has traditionally been GM’S single largest-selling vehicle line, car or truck. Last year, the Bow Tie division sold better than a half-million of these trusty workhorses. In our thorough testing of the totally reengineered ’99 Chevrolet Silverado, Motor Trend’s editors discovered it to be a more sophisticated, tougher and more versatile benchmark among full-size pickup trucks.…

Love it or hate it, the M Coupe’s distinctive world’s-fastest-shoe profile stands out from the mainstream, announcing that a new type of predator has been unleashed. Pushing the Z3 platform beyond the exceptional performance of the M Roadster, the derivative coupe encapsulates the very essence of M with superb handling, breathtaking acceleration, civilized road manners, and premium packaging. At a time when coupes are considered by many to be passé, and the lower-priced, more practical M3 has been an overwhelming success, it begs the question, Why? Fun, passion, and opportunity are the key points driven home in response by Scott Doniger, BMW’s M brand manager. Doniger says, “This [car] was made by people who possess the BMW chromosome. It wasn’t made by bean counters. It wasn’t made by bureaucrats. It…

If there were only one movie in which we could participate, it would be “Bullitt.” It’s the ultimate car-guy’s flick with a cool lead character, lots of attitude, magnificent location, and, of course, hot muscle-JOTOGRAPHY FROM THE WARNER BROS. ARCHIVES Seoa cars in the most realistic, high-speed, fender-banging, gravity-defying chase ever filmed. Even after 30 years, it’s the car chase most remembered, admired, and copied. Other movies have had more flips, crashes, explosions, and all-around destruction, but “Bullitt” was a milestone, serving notice to Hollywood that reality was a quality audiences would enjoy. “Bullitt” did more than excite audiences. It changed the way Hollywood looked at cops at a time when policemen were being called pigs. It paved the way for more movies to be shot entirely on location and…

It was the ultimate Porschefile’s “Love In.” Porsche cars and Porsche people from all over the world gathered during the Monterey Historic Auto Races/Pebble Beach Concom’s d’Elegance weekend in August, to celebrate what Ferdinand hath wrought. And those who weren’t there in person were certainly represented in spirit. Historic sights and sounds were everywhere: breathtaking 917s and 935s, driven in anger on the Laguna Seca race course by the racing legends who piloted them “back then”; more 550 and other Spyder variants than we’ve ever seen in one place at one time; hundreds, perhaps thousands, of Porsches filling the lots and hillside parking places; our own C. Van Tune, slashing at the wheel of an open-wheel F2 machine from the Porsche Museum. Pebble Beach did its part, as well, presenting…

Mercedes-Benz debuted the dazzling SLK230 at the height of ’90s roadster revival, becoming one of the German topless two-seater triumvirate hovering around the $40K mark. Standing out in the suddenly crowded segment (soon to be joined by the Audi TT) is no mean feat, but the retractable hardtop Benz offers the best of both coupe and convertible worlds. Like many households, our staff is rigidly divided on the convertible issue. There are only love and hate, no middle-ground tolerance nor occasional lust to be found. Mercedes’ versatile SLK is the first modern car to successfully bridge the gap between the polarized camps, and, therefore, seemed a natural to employ in our long-term fleet. MT THUMBS UP Innovative retractable hardtop Exceptional handling Small enough to wash with a baby wipe Conversation-starting…

HARDTOP VETTES I really enjoyed your September cover story on the ’99 versus the ’69 Corvette, but if I hear Chief Engineer Dave Hill tell me one more time that the new Vette is stiffer, I’m going to expect the glovebox to be filled with Viagra when I pick mine up! Walt PetzoldDunedin, Fla.via Motor Trend Online As a lifelong Corvette enthusiast, I must say I’m displeased with Chevrolet’s decision to introduce the fixed-roof coupe as just another Corvette. For the last three years, the public has been led to believe the new third model would be priced around $5000 less than a standard hatchback coupe. At that price, I’d gladly forego the added thrill of open-top motoring to experience owning a new Corvette. I was excited about Chevrolet returning…

Cadillac’s concept roadster, the Evoq (pronounced evoke), is an engineering and styling exercise that lifts the design curtain on future Cadillac models. Cadillac officials say the two-seater will be revealed to the public at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January 1999. However, ATT blew the wraps off this top-secret sportster in our August issue. As can be seen from this official computer-augmented rendering, the styling is bold and edgy, a near reversal from the current lineup’s conservative look. The planar surfaces and crispy creases are a salute to the leading-edge styling of past Cadillacs, such as the ’67-’70 Eldorado. Under the hood, we expect better than 400 horsepower from a pumped-up version of the all-aluminum 4.6-liter Northstar V-S. Rumors are the engine features either supercharging or…

www.motortrend.com Get on the inside track of the automotive industry’s most prestigious award by visiting Motor Trend Online. Beginning late November, we’ll be counting down to the ’99 Car of the Year announcement online. Visitors will be able to read the press release and download official photographs the minute they are released—before the January issue hits the newsstands. You can even discuss the award with fellow enthusiasts in the Chat Room, as well as post messages on the BBS. Our ’99 Online Buyer’s Guide has been completed, with details on every new car and truck available in the United States. A variety of intuitive search parameters will help you find the vehicles that suit your interests and/or budget. Plus, test data is available for most vehicles in the Performance Database.…

The ’99 SVT Mustang Cobra might catch your eye with its edgy new sheetmetal, but we think it’s best viewed from a prone position. Go ahead, get right down on the ground, grind road grime into your Dockers, scuff up your loafers, and crack the case on your pager. It’s all worth it. Because underneath the new Cobra, you’ll find something that’s never been seen in the Mustang’s 30-plus-year history: independent rear suspension. It’s big news. But wait, there’s more. Power output from the Cobra’s engine has also moved to a higher level. Already recognized as one of America’s most powerful and sweetest-sounding multivalve V-8s, the Cobra’s all-aluminum DOHC 4.6-liter has been massaged from 305 to 320 horsepower at 6000 rpm. Torque, much needed against the Camaro Z28’s thumping LSI…

It’s a changing world, and nowhere is this more apparent than in the rapidly evolving field of sport/utility vehicles. People buy SUVs for a diverse variety of reasons, from moms doing daily kid-shuttle duty to hard-core adventurers braving the wilds of some god-forsaken trail; from corporate executives who need extra client-carrying room to the links to young outdoors enthusiasts toting their gear to a favorite haunt. During the last few years, auto manufacturers have been coming to terms with this contradictory nature, and the formula for creating a successful sport/utility vehicle is changed forever. While SUVs have typically been rugged, truck-based vehicles, this is no longer a prerequisite. SUVs that are more car than truck are proving immensely popular, and their buyers want to hear more about such things as…

Beat the crowds. In a few years, people from all over the world will be converging on the Salt Lake City area for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. Many of them will be heading east into the tall, jutting mountains to Park City, home to the U.S. Ski Team and one of the premier ski resorts in. the world. Renowned for its superb dry-powder conditions, Park City will host many of the outdoor events, including the bobsled, luge, ski jumping, slalom, and other downhill sports. But in the meantime, you can sample one of winter’s true wonderlands without fighting for elbow room. The town of Park City sits at a lofty 6900 feet above sea level, with surrounding (skiable) peaks rising to a towering 10,000 feet. Established in the late…

FIRST LOOK Although not due at dealer showrooms until May 1999, Toyota recently gave us a sneak peek at its all-new full-size pickup. Called the Tundra and bearing a strong resemblance to the T150 concept truck shown at the Chicago Auto Show last February, this top-line hauler will be built at the firm’s all-new production facility in Princeton, Indiana. It marks the first time a Japanese automaker has directly taken on the domestic manufacturers in this hot and highly profitable market segment. Unlike the perennially slow-selling T100 midsize it replaces, the Tundra will offer buyers a choice of V-6 or optional V-8 power. With the on-sale date still nine months off, Toyota presented only modest details about this handsome newcomer. It measures 217.5 inches nose to tail, rides on a…

The Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, held each year at The Lodge in Pebble Beach, California, is perhaps the world’s most significant car show. But Pebble Beach has been under attack recently—mostly by the European media—because, as with most Concours, it’s essentially a static display. “Cars are moving objects—they should move more!” cried the critics. And now, they do. Pebble Beach has taken about 45 percent of its show on the road, for the first time ever. Co-sponsored by Audi and Motor Trend. this new rolling concours is dubbed Pebble Beach: The Tour. “We felt it was time to get away from the reputation of hosting only ‘trailer queens,’” notes Jules Heumann, cochairman of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. The Tour took place on the Thursday prior to the Concours. And…

The MOTOR TREND Electronic Reprint Service The MT Electronic Reprint Service gives you anytime access to many of our popular reviews through an automated, 24-hour computerized system. With a touch-tone phone and a Visa or Mastercard, you can order up to five reviews, for delivery by mail or fax. Single reviews cost $4.95 each, and comparison reviews (marked by a “c” next to the issue date) cost $9.95 each. (Body copy and tech data are included. Photos do not appear.) It’s easy: 1. Note the four-digit ID numbers of one or more of the reviews you’d like to order from the above ROAD TEST REVIEW list. Have your Visa or Mastercard handy. 2. Using a touch-tone phone, dial 1-800-549-0682. Follow the instructions of the friendly automated voice. 3. When asked,…

FIRST LOOK Mercedes’ S-Class is widely acknowledged as one of the finest overall luxury sedans in existence—and the frequent choice of many of the world’s wealthiest car buyers. But its sterling reputation for craftsmanship, solidity, safety, and comfort notwithstanding, the S-Class has long ceased winning any contemporary design awards. All that is about to change. For the 2000 model year, Mercedes has completely torn up the previous boxy offering and created a sleek, coupe-inspired sedan from scratch. Two inches shorter, 1.4 inches narrower, and 1.6 inches lower than the S-Class it replaces, the upcoming S is demonstrably slicker—drag coefficient slips from 0.31 to 0.27—and a whopping 660 pounds lighter. That 15-percent dip in curb weight not only helps fuel efficiency, but promises to pay significant dynamic dividends, as well. Despite…

The real revenge of the nerds may come on Jan. 1, 2000, when the computers they invented can’t recognize the date and shut down in digital confusion. The problem, known in geek speak as the “Y2K bug,” is fixable, but it requires a lot of money and a lot of time to eradicate. And with a hard and fast deadline just a year away, time is quickly running out. What’s this got to do with our cars? We’re grateful that it’s almost nothing. The chips that run the multiple systems in today’s vehicles are not affected. But the systems that produce those vehicles and our entire highway system could be facing Apocalypse 2000. The Gartner Group, which has been surveying industry and government Y2K fixes, is predicting two-thirds of the…

It’s been a long, tedious wait since the ’95 Frankfurt Motor Show. That was where Audi’s curvaceous concept car—the TT—first wowed the assembled crowds. The excitement was further fueled when a roadster version—the TT-S—lit up the Tokyo Motor Show, drawing even more attention to the car’s artful lines and interior. From there, it was just a matter of time. Yet, one nagging question still was underlying all the TT hubbub: How much of the concept magic would be lost on the production version? The wait is finally over and, as we learned at the TTs European launch in Gubbio, Italy, Audi has given us a remarkably faithful rendition of the head-turning show car. The production TT is a beautifully designed vehicle that becomes more impressive the deeper you look. As…

Chumbawamba was “Tubthumping,” and the theatrical light show dazzled as Nissan broke tradition and offered Motor Trend a peek at its future products at a series of recent photography-prohibited events. Automakers are typically so secretive about next-generation product, you’d swear their design centers were located at the mysterious Area 51 military facility, where technoids are backwards-engineering alien stealth technology onto the next breakthrough vehicle. Knowing that photos were prohibited, we took along genius car-artist Mark Stehrenberger to draw what we saw. Why let voracious journalists see what’s in the pipeline, knowing they’ll blab every gleaned detail to the entire world? Because that’s exactly what Nissan wants, or rather, needs. The Japanese firm has come under fire this past year amid merger mania, with numerous sources taking odds on when the…

They sure don’t make ’em like they used to. And one drive in the Lexus RX 300 is all it takes to confirm that. In any vehicle designed for occasional off-road use, we’ve come to expect compromises in ride quality, noise and vibration, handling, fuel economy, and long-haul interior comfort. But in one well-executed stroke of marketing and engineering brilliance, Lexus has shown us these common sacrifices are no longer required to take advantage of the inherent benefits of a sport/utility. In a competitive market segment that has strived for the last 15 years to make its vehicles more and more “car-like,” the RX 300 has posted a new standard by which all future sport/utilities will be judged. Moreover, the untrodden, but highly lucrative, path it’s taken into this new…

Yet another’marque has debuted in the U.S. automotive arena, as Korean car builder Daewoo has begun selling its three vehicle lines in 14 major U.S. markets within seven key states. Along with two subcompacts—the Lanos and Nubira—the firm is offering its compact Leganza sedan seen here. Available in CS and premium CDX trim levels, the front-drive Leganza carries a 2.2-liter/131-horsepower DOHC inline-four engine that can be paired with either the standard five-speed manual transmission or optional four-speed automatic, as in our preproduction tester. Other mechanical highlights include a strut-type suspension (MacPhersons up front paired with Chapmans and twin-transverse links in the rear), four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock, and power rack-and-pinion steering. In addition to the autoshifter and standards that include air conditioning, 100-watt AM/FM/cassette stereo, dual front airbags, power windows/locks/mirrors,…

JUMPSTAR These are jumper cables for the complete idiot. If you feel even the slightest twinge of uncertainty before hooking up conventional positive/negative cables, these are for you. That’s because JumpStar’s clamps can be connected to either terminal without a problem; it’s impossible to get it wrong. Once both ends are connected, the JumpStar’s computerized “brain” senses the polarity at each clamp and automatically makes the appropriate connections: positive to positive, negative to negative. Indicator lights on the unit guide you through the process. There’s no longer any fear of frying your electrical system by making a wrong connection on a dark night. $99.95 for a basic set, $139.95 for heavy-duty model. Storm Enterprises, 877/JUMPSTAR. UNIROYAL NAILGARD TIRES With so much emphasis these days on driving safety and convenience, Uniroyal’s…

Volkswagen has already shown a prototype convertible version of its market-quaking New Beetle. So it’s not surprising to see aftermarket companies trumping the factory by decapitating Beetles before VW can get around to producing its own choptops. The first one to reach MTs attention comes from Special Vehicle Concepts. Designed by Newport Convertible Engineering, the Beetle droptop is much more than a frivolous hacksaw attack. Beneath the floorpan, the structure is reinforced with a large X-frame, while steel beams are also added just behind the rear seat, under the dash, and along the doorsills. The seatbelts get repositioned upper anchor points, and a manual canvas top is installed. The top itself stacks neatly when folded back, with its edge mimicking the curvature of the Beetle’s newly hinged trunklid. The extensive…

’98 LEXUS GS 300 Key requests around the office fall in descending order of horsepower and luxury, but those wise enough to work the system realize the silken six-cylinder Lexus sedan offers nearly all the same virtues as its fellow long-termer, GS 400. Our recent plus-one aftermarket upgrade to 17x8.0-inch Enkei RS Evolution wheels shod with ultra-high-performance Bridgestone Potenza SO-2 Pole Position 235/45ZR17 tires has narrowed the handling gap between the siblings, gaining 2.9 mph (to 63.8 mph) in the slalom and 0.04 g (to 0.84) on the skidpad. When pushed, the chassis retains an enviable balance between road holding and compliance with an impressive improvement in transitional response. Options such as power moonroof, memory package, and in-dash CD changer mated to a 260-watt Nakamichi audio system offer enough pampering…