Innehållsförteckning för March 1999 från MotorTrend

Handsome styling is not something generally associated with econocars, but the ’95 Neon looked neat to us when new in the spring of 1994, and its trim, slipperlike shape has held up nicely over time. Styling history will repeat itself this spring as the second-generation Neon reaches Dodge and Plymouth showrooms from the company’s Belvedere, Illinois, plant. The 2000 Neon appears radically different from its predecessor with its faster (the base is moved forward 3 inches) windshield angle, all-new hood, fenders, decklid, roof, quarter panels, and clearlens headlamps. It feels different with a 37-percent improvement in bending and a 26-percent increase in torsional stiffness over the original car. This extra body rigidity, which chassis engineers say helps quiet the ride and sharpen handling, is provided by a new one-piece body-side…

We’ve teamed up with Dunlop Tire to offer a unique, highperformance e-mail service targeted at automotive enthusiasts. Visit www.highperformancemail.com to sign up for one of a variety of domains with cool names that MT readers will love. Examples include: off roadwarrior.com, vivavelocity.com, and mttestdriver.com. Why custom e-mail addresses? No one wants an impersonal name like Jeff2089@aol.com when he could be Jeff@automotive authority.com. Beyond the name, custom e-mail allows you to have a free account accessible from any Internet-serviced computer. A simple password protects your account, but you are not dependent on a particular browser or PC to read your messages. For students, people on the move, and employees with only a corporate account, a permanent address When you use this full-function e-mail service, you’ll be able to save messages, send…

Here’s a quiz: 1) Which of the following is built in the United States? a) Chevrolet Camaro b) Chrysler 300M c) Ford Windstar d) none of the above 2) Where was the Chrysler Sebring Convertible built? a) Michigan b) Illinois c) Canada d) Mexico 3) Where was the engine in: your Dodge Grand Caravan built? a) Mexico b) U.S. c) Japan d) possibly any of the above. 4) In which country are the BMW Z3 and Mercedes-Benz ML32O built? a) Germany b) Austria c) Mexico d) United States The answer to all these’questions is “d.” Surprised? Without a guidebook, it’s become just about impossible to know where a particular vehicle was really built. This is especially true since many foreign car companies have constructed manufacturing facilities in North America. When…

Isuzu has been a long-time resident of America, producing its first built-in-the-USA models in ’91 when it opened the assembly plant it shares with Subaru in Lafayette, Indiana. Despite the company’s relatively small size, Isuzu offers among the widest selection of sport/utility vehicles of any import manufacturer, and today the plant turns out a full half of the automaker’s lineup, including mainstay Rodeo, the Hombre pickup truck, and its spunky two-door fun-mobile, the Amigo. This is the second coming for the Amigo, which fills the automaker’s slot for an economical, compact entry and provides a welcome alternative to other two-door “mini-utes” like the Toyota RAV4 and Suzuki Vitara “Welcome” because the Amigo isn’t really mini at all, but rather offers more interior roominess, cargo capacity, and out-and-out performance than its…

Except for the fact that it was a bit underpowered, it was hard to fault the original Quest. It debuted in the fall of 1992 with its sister, the Mercury Villager. And particularly for the time, it was a super-clean design that had a smooth powertrain, rightsize proportions, and suspension dialed in for agile handling. It was the minivan that could please any driving enthusiast with a family. And it has comfortably occupied a healthy 50,000-unit a year niche for several years. But driving it with a full complement of passengers and their luggage on a long, hilly trip revealed that it needed more engine muscle, a bit more cargo space, and some attention to ride refinement and noise control. This became particularly noticeable on the worst road surfaces and…

For different reosons, race car builders have been doing it for years, but only recently has the international development of production cars made sense. Because of trade agreements, labor agreements, development costs, shipping costs, and the cost advantages inherent in “world car” plotform strategy, the global automotive industry is finally becoming exactly that. In today’s competitive market, it’s not unusual to find one vehicle that’s engineered in one country, designed by three teams in three countries, its engine built in one country, transmission in another with components from a half-dozen others, and finally assembled in one of three countries depending on its eventual destination. Choose the same cor with a different model variation, and everything you’ve just read changes. Frankly, it’s getting almost impossible to keep track of what’s traditionally…

We’ve told you about it. We’ve shown you artist’s renderings. And now, here are the first exclusive photos of the Nissan Xterra. Targeted at an active, cost-conscious, Gen-X audience (the “X” in the name is no coincidence), Nissan is looking to the Xterra—and several other new or redesigned models to be released over the next 12 months—to lead the company back to prominence and profitability. The Xterra is derived from the new-in-’97 Frontier pickup platform, though there’s little of it you’ll recognize other than front fenders, hood, front doors, and dashboard. A product of Nissan Design International (NDI), the company’s Southern California design studio, this aggressively styled sport/utility has been packaged to fit in just below the Pathfinder in purpose and price, yet offer more room and more off-road capability…

Horsepower. Was there a more important word in 1970, the year that served as the absolute zenith of the horsepower war that began—along with Motor Trend—in 1949? V-8s were king, gas was cheap, and horsepower was still rated in gross numbers. It was Hemi versus Boss versus the bigblock Chevy, and it was Good. This was also the year MT expanded its already-world-respected Car of the Year program, by adding an Import Car of the Year category. Safety bumpers, catalytic converters, gas crunches, and the Pinto/Vega/Gremlin boredom machines were all just around the corner. But in the meantime, America was filling up on leaded premium and burning rubber. ON TRACK • Our March issue contained an interview with just-crowned Formula One Champion Jackie Stewart—a name that still figures heavily in…

About a million years ago, spewing lava broke the surface of the central Pacific Ocean and began an island-building process that’s still going on today. The Big Island of Hawaii is literally a work in progress. About the size of Connecticut, it’s a land alive with volcanic activity, where steam rises from the heated ground like morning fog in a mountain field and regular lava flows continue to extend the borders of the land mass, while sometimes leaving a trail of blackened scar tissue in its wake. The Big Island is also a study in contrasts. With two colossal volcanoes practically scraping the sky at close to 14,000 feet, its climate, vegetation, and very personality can swing from one extreme to the other in mere miles. The northeastern side, for…

Is your vehicle a part-time four-wheeled bike carrier? Yakima’s new TerraGate bike racks could make your life easier. Specially designed for sport/utilities and pickups, the TerraGate is a heavy-duty three-bike steel rack that mounts on the rear of the vehicle. With the touch of a foot pedal, the rack and bikes swing to the side and out of the way, leaving full access to the vehicle’s rear window and tailgate/door. Optionally avalable is an integrated locking system that secures bikes to the rack and the rack to the receiver. $319. Other Yakima rear-mount bike racks start at $139.g Yakima. 800/ANY-ROAD. While Nikon is usually associated with cameras and professionalquality photographic lenses and equipment, its expertise in optics also extends into its fashionable line of high-end sunglasses. These LX (light extreme)…

We rarely drive a tuner version of a car before being behind the wheel of production vehicle. But Germany’s Oettinger tuning firm was so eager to play with the new Golf IV, and show off the result, that it sent a German-spec fourth-generation Golf GTI over to the United States before that car even goes on sale here. While the U.S. GTI will be built in Germany, it will have VW’s 2.8-liter/174-horsepower VR6 rather than the 1.8-iiter 20-valve turbocharged four fitted to this test car. However, the turbo engine will be offered in the ’99 Beetle, which shares its mechanical underpinning with the Golf IV. So the Oettinger GTI shows what is available for both the new GTI and Beetle. Using Oettinger’s own turbo, a redesigned intake tract, a new…

Jeep’s ’99 Grand Cherokee—and its all new, SOHC 4.7-liter V-8—are among the most interesting of this year’s new sport/utilities. Yet, if our reader mail is any indication, there remains considerable interest in 5.2/5.9-liter Jeep/Dodge V-8-powered rigs. So even though this performance review involves a vehicle that’s just left the marketplace, it’s still a popular one. Performance Products doesn’t just carry a few goodies for your Jeep; it has an entire catalog dedicated strictly to this brand. For its own test vehicle, PP raided its warehouse and bolted a bunch of go-faster, handlebetter hardware to this ’98 Grand Cherokee Limited 5.2. Supercharging is quite common these days, but not the choice of every enthusiast who wants a moderate power increase at an equally moderate investment. Before any mods were performed, the…

’99 INFINITI G20t The inescapable allure of an entry-level luxury sport sedan had us ordering a G20t before it was even available to drive. Starting in the low 20s, this four-door touts such essential standard ieatures as power wtndows/door locks/imrrors, six-speaker Bose AM/r JWCD/cassette stereo, and anti-lock brakes. We upgraded to leather with a convenience package. While the standard five-speed manual would undoubtedly be the sporting choice, life in traffic-clogged L.A. means commuters prefer an automatic transmission. The touring model does provide more responsive handling without a punishing ride, making it essential to add a mild dose of sport flavoring. Power comes, eventually, from a 2.0-liter/140-horsepower inline four evolved from the Sentra and former G2O powerplants, inspiring logbook comments such as, “Accelerates like an Altima with the parking brake on.”…

WHY SPORT/UTE OF THE YEAR? It was a great idea to offer a sole award for a Motor Trend Sport/Utility of the Year. Considering the truck arena is already packed with pickups, such offerings as the fabulous Chevy Silverado should be recognized on their own and get the attention they deserve. Trucks will always be rough-and-tumble good times on four wheels to get any job done, and look good doing it, too. An SUV is not a truck! Congratulations to Motor Trend for getting it right! Chris Sapriken Slocan Park, B.C., Canada As an owner of the Lexus RX 300,1 can attest to it offering the best ride of any SUV, bar none. Indeed, true to its heritage, it rides like a top-rated luxury car. However, there are two major…

Shortly after its debut at the Paris Show last fall, Saab invited us to slip behind the wheel of its new 95 station wagon in Barcelona, Spain. Directly descended from the Swedish automaker’s latest luxury sedan, this 3700-pound midsize front-drive wagon shares its same basic dimensions and running gear, including a MacPherson strut/multilink suspension, beefy four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, power rack-and-pinion steering, and 215/55 tires on 16-inch cast alloy wheels. Saab execs stressed that retaining a sporting character was as important as gaining additional utility in the development of their new hauler. With the same taut yet supple undercarriage tuning found in the sedan, the 95 wagon proved as capable on twisty backroads as it did slicing through mid-city traffic snarls. Passive safety was another key design concern, and…

The best Japanese-branded automobile made in the United States may well be the all-new ’99 Acura 3.2TL, which offers luxury, acceleration, and panache rivaling the Cadillac Seville, yet with platformmate Honda Accord-style quality and reliability at a Pontiac Bonneville SSEi price. It’s not hard to make that argument for the latest product of Honda of America Manufacturing’s Marysville, Ohio, plant. (Before flooding us with examples you consider superior, make sure the domestic-branded car—or engine—you champion isn’t made north of the border, eh?) The new Acura TL boasts I sport-flavored handling feel, I milled-from-a-tungsten-1 ingot-solid chassis, an unbeatably long list of standard features (a satellite navigation system is the only factory option), and conservative-but-stylish bodywork that will remain tastefully attractive for years. Still, that list of brags is challenged by several…

Mazda’s 626 must feel like a kid growing up in a small town where its two neighbors (Toyota Camry and Honda Accord) always seem to do things better. They have more dates, are superior in sports, and they’re the favorites of every parent on the block. In the case of the 626, the Camry and Accord sell better (more than four times better), are quicker 0-60 mph (by over 1.0 second), and parents everywhere love them. When the engineers at Mazda set out to redesign the 626 for the ’98 model year, they had their work cut out for them. The midsize sedan marketplace is highly competitive, with several of the industrywide sales-volume leaders coming out of the category including the Camry, Accord, and Taurus. To its credit, Mazda succeeded…

What do Toyota City, Japan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, Newport Beach, California, and Cambridge, Ontario, Canada have in common? They all have a major role in the engineering, styling, and building of the new Camry Solara. Truly an international effort, the Solara embodies a definite trend in the automotive industry—vehicles engineered at home, styled elsewhere, and built in or near the country where it will be brought to market. In fact, three out of four Camrys sold in the United States are built in Georgetown, Kentucky—this one, however, was built in Ontario, Canada. Toyota admits its ideal Solara buyers are “entering their peak earning years.” To us, this implies the car is a bit of a novelty, perhaps a second or even third car. However, its essence, enhanced by the long,…

When you think about it, it’s amazing there is still a Ford Mustang. Through 35 years of changes in the car market, the global automobile business, and the tastes, desires, and values of society itself, the Mustang lives on in a form so very little changed—philosophically—from the original. While an 18-year-old who bought a brand-new Mustang in the summer of 1964 would now be contemplating retirement, the current version of the same car still has two doors, a potent V-8 engine, and rear drive. And, thank God, it still burns rubber. A good chunk of the sport coupe market in recent years has gone to Japanese cars such as the Acura Integra and the Mitsubishi Eclipse. The Camaro and Firebird may be on life support, though the rumble that GM…

It’s not likely you’ll find the limited-edition Isuzu VehiCross in the Hawaiian rental fleets, but we got to spend time in it following the Isuzu-spon sored Ironman Triathlon, where it had been showcased. For us, this fun-to-drive sport/ute was the perfect vehicle with which to explore the off-the-beate-track nooks and crannies of the Big Island. Its Torque-On-Demand automatic four-wheel-drive system and rugged chassis handled the scarred Saddle Road and gravelly trek to the observatories with eose, while its 3.2-liter/225-horsepower 24-valve V-6 easily muscled its way up to the nearly 14,000-foot top of Mauna Keo. Meanwhile, it wasn’t too hord obsorbing oil the ottention this eye-catching vehicle drew as we moved from downtown Hilo to the volcanic wastelands; nor was it difficult snendina long hours in the comfy Recaro sport seats…

If these two sport/utes were shootin’ irons, the Lexus LX 470 and the Lincoln Navigator would be a pair of factory-engraved, ivory-gripped Colt .45 autos. Like those lead-spittin’ heavymetal classics, these big-bore vehicles handle the large jobs and look stylishly intimidating, whether they’re working hard or just quietly holstered in the country club parking lot. Makers that got in early, like Ford, Jeep, and Toyota have struck gold. But there appears to be room for upstarts from Infiniti and Mercedes, as well as Lexus and Lincoln. (We hope, for Cadillac’s sake, some SUV-market pie will be left to slice up for its ’99 Escalade model.) But clearly, luxo/utes are big business. The customer desires in this class are silky power combined with grade pulling tow muscle, rocky-road toughness, a smooth…

Sure, there are some jobs for which you “just need a bigger hammer.” When using most hammers or mallets for auto repair, though, the most important consideration is getting enough force without damaging the part you’re banging on. For light-duty work, the Micro-Strike Miniature Mallet Set puts a full assortment of heads at your disposal without a major investment. The set includes six two-sided heads of varying materials—including copper, brass, steel, and a variety of molded polymer surface-protective tips, ranging from soft to extra hard—that can be used interchangeably on a single fiberglass handle. Each head can be easily removed or fitted onto the handle for quick changes. Available at Sears stores nationwide. $35-$45 (including storage case). Nupla Corporation, 800/872-7661. Although used by car dealers, auto restorers/collectors, car museums, and…

In the ’80s, AIVI General, experienced in developing military vehicles, delivered a unique truck to the government that could ascend a 60-percent concrete slope fully loaded (3200-4300-pound payload), maintain 16 inches of clearance laden, traverse a40-percent slope, climb a 22-inch vertical obstacle, and ford 60-inch waterways properly equipped. Try that in your cuddly little sport/cute. Most evolutionary improvements appear first on the military models. This year, the roles may be reversed as AM General introduces a traction control system, called TorqTrac 4 (TT4), on civilian models only. TT4 works with the new anti-lock brake system to transform seemingly impossible off-road challenges into point-and-shoot operations for even Tread Lightly neophytes. Equipped with two Torsen II torque-biased differentials and a locking transfer case, the four-channel TT4 system effectively directs power to the…

Synonymous with wide-open spaces, civilization-fleeing adventure, and get-me-home-no-matter-what reliability, Jeep has become a powerful brand name recognized around the world. When the Grand Cherokee was just a twinkle in Chrysler’s eye, the Cherokee was tackling Moab with aplomb, building on the division’s deserved reputation. Introduced during the Reagan administration, the Cherokee proved to have a winning formula of affordability, terrain-conquering traction, and high fun quotient. Through the years, its following increased as former CJ owners saw the benefit of a four-door vehicle and sport/utes came into favor. Perennially a best-selling vehicle, Jeep nudged the Cherokee along with minor improvements and model variations until it became clear that a significant update was needed. Airbag requirements and fresh market competition were strong arguments for a makeover, but the corporate purse strings were…

When it goes on sale this summer, Dan Panoz’ new Esperante convertible coupe will join the Shelby Series 1 as the only other limitedproduction luxury V-8 sports car produced in America. Designed to compete directly against the top European luxury GTs from Aston Martin, Jaguar, and Ferrari, the Esperante will offer the advantages of American power, reliability, and ease of service, as well as a price tag that may slightly undercut the best of Europe. His small but brand-new, high-tech factory just north of Atlanta is gearing up to produce some 1000 units per year, far more than the Spartan AIV Panoz Roadsters that currently roll out of that plant at the rate of about five per week. The Esperante, which has been under development for over three years in…

Commuters all across the country twice a day enter a rush-hour twilight zone costing $74 billion a year in lost production and guzzling 6 billion galilons of fuel annually, according to the Texas Transportation Institute’s fourth annual report on congestion. ’ Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., are the nation’s twin capitals of lost time, with commuters burning down 82 hours a year sitting in rush-hour gridlock. But small and medium-size cities shouldn’t feel too smug. The report shows their traffic congestion is growing at a faster rate than large metropolitan areas. Americans, however, are an ingenious lot when it comes to filling time. A new Pennzoil survey of 15,000 commuters shows they use an average of nearly one hour of daily commuting (much longer in many areas) in a variety…

Ford’s ’55 Thunderbird is a classic dream machine. It was to the automotive world what Marilyn Monroe was to the movies. Like that platinum bombshell, the two-seater T-Bird, built between 1955 and 1.957, will forever be an icon of beauty, youth, success, and the unbridled optimism of post-World War 11 America. The saucy star and the sporty two-seater were fabulous elements that lit perfectly into an exuberant, unsophisticated era that has passed into rose-colored memory. But you can’t go home again. There will never be another Marilyn. And Ford has absolutely no intention of building a copy of that first T-Bird. Of course, gorgeous blondes, youthful optimism, and stylish roadsters never go out of style. So, in a century-turning, shamelessly celebratory mood, Ford has carefully revisited the time before the…

Honda conceived its entire new Accord lineup with U.S. buyers in mind, but the Coupe clearly claimed the lion’s share of the right styling stuff. A tad less dramatic in real life than in those pre-release factory sketches, this slick two-door still boasts the kind of visual allure palpably absent from its four-door platformmate. Although the engines in both Coupe models enjoy the benefits of Honda’s excellent VTEC (variable-valve timing and lift electronic control) system, we prefer the free-rewing 3.0-liter/200-horsepower SOHC V-6 to its equally willing but slightly less able 2.3-liter/150-horse SOHC four-cylinder counterpart. Even though the former can only be paired with an automatic transmission, Honda’s electronically controlled four-speed responds smoothly and delivers timely manual downshifts on demand. That combo also hustles this tasty two-door 0-60 mph in a…

Built in Normal, Illinois, the striking Mitsubishi Galant elevates the crisp hard-edged styling exhibited on the Diamante and Mirage to a more aesthetically pleasing level. The midsize model range spans from the $16,990 four-cylinder sedan up to the $24,350 flagship GTZ—only $100 more than the comparatively plebeian LS. We were naturally drawn to the GTZ for its monochrome exterior, decklid spoiler, white-face gauges, and sport-tuned suspension. As a limited edition of only 1500 cars, the GTZ commands a certain cachet we appreciate. While the sleek exterior wins universal admiration, the interior has received considerable staff criticism for being bland and uninspiring. Nevertheless, controls are logically placed and well executed. Its leather-topper DucKeis nave proven quite comfortable, and the abundant storage nooks are conveniently placed. The standard seven-speaker audio system, complemented…

A GREAT THIRD CHOICE: Mazda’s 626 is a fine midsize sedan offering pleasant, if invisible, styling, a healthy V-6, reasonable interior comfort, a good ride and sweet handling. So why is this car always an also-ran in every MT road test with its similarly priced competitive set? In a segment dominated by the Toyota Camry and the Honda Accord, you must have styling that sets you apart. Honda and Toyota do “plain and simple” much better than Mazda does. The last time we pitted a 2.5-liter V-6 626 against 3.0-liter V-6 Camry and Accord competitors, the Mazda took more than a second longer to reach 60 mph, and fuel economy was no better. Finally, Mazda needs to work on the 626 suspension system. It’s just not in the same ballpark…

“German sport sedan.” Those three words go together so naturally. And although American, British, and Japanese carmakers all have learned how to craft sporting four-doors in recent years, the folks who made such terms as autobahn and biergarten famous seem to do sport sedans like nobody else. BMW arguably invented the class as we know it, and thoroughly redid its top-selling 3 Series for ’99. Mercedes-Benz’s player in the compact sport sedan war is the C-Class, the entiy-level model of which now packs a supercharged powerplant. Sounds like a perfect contest to us. We extensively reviewed the new 3 Series in the June ’98, issue, but to recap, it represents a melding of the previous 3 with some styling and equipment levels found in the current 5 Series, plus fresh…

Excerpts from our orginal Volkswagen test—Oct. ’53 The seating position is good, the wheel seems in the proper place and the four-speed lever is on top of the tunnel where your hand falls naturally on it. This is very important in: this car because vou must’ use the shift lever often. This frequent shifting is no trouble because of the positive action of the shift lever (the transmission is at the rear with the engine, but you wouldn’t guess it). Changing gears upward or downward means a quick flick without hesitation or double clutching, thanks to synchromesh like that in the Porsche (the Porsche costs twice as much as the Volkswa gen). The brake and clutch pedals are a bit too close together for comport. There is no gas gauge.…

Speaking of getting away from it all, here’s as good a place as any to plug the travel benefits of the new Motor Trend Driver’s Association. Best of all, you don’t have to be in your car to take advantage of them. For instance? How about 15-30 percent off any of over 4000 hotels, including Travelodge, Days Inn, Howard Johnson, and Ramada? Call atoll-free number for any of these chains, give them your special Motor Trend Driver s Association number, and reap the rewards. Need a rental car to check out the recommended drives of this month’s destination? Flash your ID code again, and Avis will give you 5-25 percent off. while Alamo will drop its rate by up to 20 percent. You say you can’t drive to Hawaii? Another…

Alex Zanardi won the CART FedEx Championship twice, but now he’s back in Formula One. We have only the ’99 Acura Alex Zanardi Edition NSX to remember him by. But unlike many “signature series” vehicles, the signature is the least impressive modification. Available as a hardtop coupe, the Zanardi NSX is lighter and geared for instant reflexes. Weighing in 149 pounds less than an NSX-T, the diet consists of the body-color fixed roof, a fighter rear spoiler, single-pane rear glass, lightweight BBS alloy wheels, and the deletion of power steering. Power accessories remain aboard and the car is decorated with “suede-like” seating trimmed in red, a titanium shift knob and console insert, and aluminum mesh intake covers. Output from the 3.2-liter DOHC, 24-valve VTEC V-6 remains 290 horsepower, but the…

What’s the difference between a wax, polish, and glaze? Is a paint cleaner the same as a carwash solution? When should you use a polish and when a polishing compound? It’s confusing out there on the shelves of the local auto parts store and no wonder car owners have a hard time figuring out which products are best for maintaining their vehicle’s finish. Even the finish-care industry can’t decide what to call its products. Some formulas have the same name but do different jobs. Others are designed for basically the same purpose, but are called by different names. What’s a concerned buyer to do? In many cases, there’s no way to know what a paint-care product does just by its name. Some manufacturers, for instance, use the terms “wax” and…

Motor Irenas involvement in the Pep Boys Indy Racing League has expanded beyond its continuing sponsorship of CBR-Cobb Racing’s Infiniti-powered entry driven by Roberto Guerrero to include a travelling exhibition and a consumer sweepstakes. Centerpiece of the road show will be a 53-foot semi-trailer, custom painted to promote Motor Trend’s 50th anniversary. The trailer will carry and exhibit a variety of cars, from concept vehicles to race cars. The exhibit’s 50-stop tour includes all 11IRL races, highlighted by the Indianapolis 500, as well as visits to Infiniti dealerships and other special events. A related consumer sweepstakes program will include such prizes as trips to “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” BETTER MAKE IT EIGHT! NHRA Winston Funny Car champ John Force is on a roll the likes of which may never…