Innehållsförteckning för August 2000 från MotorTrend

Addressing ongoing complaints that its 911 and Boxster share a few too many direct styling cues, Porsche will do some cosmetic tweaking of its top-line model next spring. As seen on this prototype spied testing in Germany, the classic rear-engine 911 will emerge with revised front and rear fas-cias plus Turbo-style headlamps. Standard wheel fitment also adopts a Turbo look and steps up from 17 to 18 inches. An all-new dashboard is in the works, and displacement of the 911 ’s potent flat-six engine is set to rise from 3.4 to 3.6 liters. This size boost, along with the adoption of an improved variable valve timing system, is expected to yield about 5-10 percent more power and torque than the present 300/258 figures.…

Determined to elevate its multi-use vehicle lineup one step beyond the new V70 XC, Sweden’s largest automaker has begun work on a top-line crossbreed SUV that will go on sale in late 2003. Hans-Olov Olsson, president of Volvo’s North American operations, sees the vehicle as a natural extension of the firm's current product line and particularly well-suited to U.S. consumers. Few details were provided about this high-end hauler, save for the fact that it would be car-based and offer premium-level cues inside and out. Whatever the ultimate configuration, Volvo execs are adamant that it will definitely not be a mere rebadged variation on some existing Ford or Land Rover platform designs. In keeping with the automaker’s current “family approach,” this new offering would almost certainly be some type of derivative…

Meet Me On Woodward Calling Detroit’s Woodward Avenue “just another street” is akin to saying Mark McGwire is “just another hitter,” or Carlos Santana is “a haltway decent guitar player.” Woodward was where it happened. “It,” of course, being good old-fashioned nighttime Detroit-style street racing, You know: Eye each other at the light, roll away at the green, then, when you’re sure the other guy really wants to rumble—just mash it. Maybe a rubber-wasting, tear-inducing burnout or two to warm the skins—or perhaps as a mating call. Sometimes the stake was money or even the occasional pink slip. But most often, you just ran for pride. “If you liked cars, you went to Woodward. It runs from downtown Detroit all the way to Pontiac and back. It’s four lanes wide,…

We’ve certainly gone to extremes to test Acura’s all-new MDX sport/utility vehicle. Last month, we reported on a preview drive in the frigid snow and ice of Colorado’s high country. This month, we followed up that limited traction test with a comprehensive outing through the steamy jungles and pounding roads of Belize in Central America. The bottom line? In both cases, the MDX succeeded in injecting an impressive level of control, comfort, and civilized refinement into a decidedly uncivilized environment. There’s no question, Acura has been a latecomer to the SUV party. Sure, from ’95 through last year, the division offered the SLX—a rebadged Isuzu Trooper—but everybody knew that was only a stopgap until the company could carve out enough R&D time and money to create a true, all-Acura thoroughbred.…

Chrysler’s PT Cruiser, the all-new multipurpose cargo and people hauler, certainly looks like a dreamland retroconcept. Quite frankly, outside of Volkswagen’s New Beetle, there’s nothing affordable on blacktop that comes close to the visual wow of this surprisingly practical and little street-rod truckster. Predictably, Chrysler’s marketing types have begun crowing about inventing a whole new segment, like they actually did with the minivan. Having heard the early rumors about the close mechanical relationship between the Neon sedan and the PT Cruiser, we were expecting a gutsy, but buzzy, conveyance with a fair amount of roadgrain noise. That, however, was not the case. Although the solid little Neon and the PT are distantly related on some engineering level, the PT doesn’t seem to share many of the Neon’s sharper vibratory edges.…

For more than 500 miles, Id watched heads snap around as if they'd spotted Heidi Klum doing the Lady Godiva bit on the back of a pink elephant. Drivers jammed on their brakes to get a better look. Passengers pointed in curious puzzlement. Food and gas stops became spontaneous Q&A sessions. And even pulling alongside the road to check my map was met with a tap on the window from someone wanting to know “just what the hell” I was driving. The Pontiac Aztek was designed with a vision. Some get it, some don’t. Some think it’s the coolest thing for the outdoor enthusiast since Gore-Tex; some think it’s an oozing blemish on the fine art of automotive design. But whether you get it or not, it still makes you…

FIRST TEST In today’s economy, bigger is better, especially in the luxury market. By expanding its model lineup, the high-end Audi A8 can now address both the sporty and the sumptuous sides of its segment. Answering a “shortcoming” of the A8, Audi designers stretched the aluminum space frame 5.1 inches for the comfort-oriented L model, increasing rear legroom by almost 3 inches and achieving nominal gains in head and shoulder space. However, to counteract a sharp increase in weight, the added length would bring, engineers achieved a notable 10-percent reduction in unsprung mass. Despite being aluminum intensive, though, the space-framed A8 L still tips the scales at slightly more than the Mercedes-Benz S430 and only 32 pounds lighter than the BMW 740iL. A gain of 88 pounds over the standard…

Axis Sport Tuning recently showed off a Saturn LW2 wagon that features many European tuner car traits. The unconventional choice of the L-series Saturn wagon (new in ’99) is easily offset by how great the modified vehicle looks. Performance enhancements include a Hot Shot cold-air intake and ceramic-coated headers, Apex muffler, JG enlarged throttle body, Nitrous Express nitrous oxide system, Progressive 2-inch-lowering springs, Bridgestone Potenza tires, 18-inch Axis Se7en wheels, and Vitek plug wires. When combined with the powertrain control computer recalibration. Axis says its wagon picks up 10 percent more power over the stock 3.0-liter V-6, which is rated at 182 horses. Other enhancements include a Wings West body kit, color matched windshield cowl, Catz foglamps and front/rear Sparco sport seats. Saturn insiders who’ve driven the car say it…

Scanning the world rushing by was not a good idea. With my mind racing and a corner approaching at 175 mph, all I could think was “Is this really where I want to be?” Instinctively, I tugged on the wheel to guide the car through the high-banked corner and was mashed into the seat by huge g forces. The feeling was addictive and brought me back to why I wanted this experience. In an instant, I was on the straightaway, staring down another corner entry, smiling. This is CART Driving 101, a pay-to-play driving experience that makes speeds approaching 180 mph available to anyone. It’s like nothing else in the world. Started last year by “driving-experience”-guru Robert Lutz after he sold his stake in the successful Richard Petty Driving Experience,…

Even though GM has introduced a new Suburban/Yukon XL, we don’t expect the popularity of the previous generation of Sub to dip any time soon. It still offers high levels of utility, especially for those with lots of people to haul or stuff to tow, and there are many ways to improve performance. We attacked this ’98 2500 series 7.4-liter-eq uipped 4x4 Suburban with some simple boltons in search of better acceleration and handling. And we’re pleased to say, both were easy to find. The skinny, stock steel wheels and 245-section tires were the first to go, replaced by American Racing Wheels 17x7.5-inch polished alloys, and a set of Toyo’s new Proxes S/T 285/60HR17 high-performance light truck radials (offered in H- or V-speed-rated sizes up to 20 inches in diameter)—big…

Readers are always asking how to get more from their vehicles. More power, more handling, more head-turning looks. Aftermarket companies have products to transform a dime-a-dozen car/truck/sport-utility into a personalized head-turner, with packages to suit any budget. We’ve surfed the Web looking for the standout players with attractive, useful sites that can provide the answers to these popular questions. While there are numerous component e-tailers, including giants like CarParts.com and SummitRacing.com, we’ve focused on tuners for this column—standout companies that offer complete packages and turn-key transformations. Tweaking Asian-brand cars has been the rage, supported by a lively aftermarket. Acura and Honda enthusiasts will find much to lust after from well-established Jackson Racing (www.jacksonracing.com), while multimarque companies such as HKS (www.hksusa.com) and GReddy (www.greddy.com) offer the hottest imported components from Japan.…

Just how good are today’s trucks as off-roaders? This was the question the article was supposed to answer. The vehicles tested were V-8 powered, extended cab, half-ton pickups—on- and off-road. I hope future articles comparing vehicles are not written with the callous disregard to fact as in “Four by Fours…x4l” I’ve ignored past articles with discrepancies in the comparison test winners, but this takes the cake. In the introduction, you paint the picture you’re going to test the 4x4 systems of each new mainstream truck. In your conclusion, you disregard your own findings and post the winner as this year’s “Truck of the Year.” I don’t get it. Are you afraid of what would happen if your TOY didn’t win all tests? Take a good look at your statistics on…

Ford recently ended speculation about the future of its resurrected Thunderbird, confirming that the retro-styled rear-drive two-seater will go into production for the ’02 model year. Sharing much common platform engineering with the Lincoln LS, the Thunderbird will be powered by a 3.9-liter/250-horse V-8 linked to a five-speed automatic transmission and ride on a sport-tuned chassis with fully independent suspension. Pictured here is the latest concept variant, said to be a virtual dead ringer for the final design. The T-Bird will be officially unveiled next January at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, and formal sales are set to begin on July 4. Ford hopes to sell about 30,000 units per year of this slick little roadster, with prices to start around $35,000. For those who simply must…

▪ Chevrolet Corvette Z06 ▪ Dodge Viper RT/10 ▪ Ford SVT Mustang Cobra R FACT: If this golden age of high-performance driving were suddenly to auger into the guardrail, these three factory-built rockets would stand forever as highwater marks. Sure, we love and respect 426 Hemis, Chevy Rat Motors, and Boss 429s as much as anyone who ever burned rubber. But factory iron has never been hotter than right now. Never in the history of American carmaking have three faster, quicker, better-handling, shorter-stopping, street-legal production machines met for a duel-to-the-death track and street match. This showdown happened because we knew you’d want it to. So, which one is the red, white, and blue king of the musclecar hill? For this shootout of all shootouts, we’ve assembled America’s three current air-sucking,…

Sure the Cobra R is fast: It’s a race car, it ought to be fast. I aggressively (and successfully) avoided driving this quickest-ever, and hardest-riding, Mustang on public roads, save for an after-midnight photo excursion on a downtown city street. If I were choosing the best road-course race car from this bunch, the SVT would get my nod. But I’m not. I don’t know whether the Viper RT/10 is a four-wheel Harley or an engine stand with seats. So long as the road is straight, the Viper is damned incredible: Less than a handful of times in my career did I race a more powerful car. But it was an evil, punitive-handling witch on the Waterford road course. If I were choosing the best to take on a Sunday cruise…

Hang around automotive journalists long enough and you’ll get involved in a heated argument on earth-shaking topics such as “Is Fl superstar Michael Schumacher a better driver than NASCAR’s mega-talented Jeff Gordon?” Each is spectacular in his own arena. But even if you could find the answer—and you can’t—would it matter? A comparison between the Lamborghini Diablo 6.0 and Ferrari 550 Maranello is a lot like the Schumacher-Gordon debate. There are more differences between the mid-engine all-wheel-drive Diablo and the front-engine rear-drive 550 Maranello than between a Dixie cup and Hoover Dam: Both hold water, but that’s about it. The main things these mega-dollar exotics have in common are their Italian origin, mountainous pricetags, and V-12 engine configuration. Plus an exceptional ability to make big speed. “Look, Ma, no hands!”—at…

It was a genuine stunner in concept form at the 98 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Now, fresh from our first encounter with a Eurospec production version of Audi's luxuriously appointed and eminently capable all-terrain tourer, we're even more impressed with the new Allroad Quattro. Blending the best elements of the A6 Avant with Audi’s renowned Quattro all-wheel-drive system, the Allroad also brings a host of unique cosmetic and functional items to the mix. Save for hood and rear hatch, all of its main body panels are bespoke. So, too, is the supplemental reinforcing beneath that slick sheetmetal. Further accenting its multifaceted personality are matte-finish fascias and fender flares, stainless steel skidplates, and custom five-spoke cast-alloy wheels shod with 225/55HR17 rubber. As a final touch, the Allroad’s ribbed…

Ford has distilled the most coveted elements of pickup trucks and sportutilities into the versatile Explorer Sport Trac. Inspired by the 96 Adrenaline concept vehicle, the Sport Trac bundles civilized transportation, aggressive styling, and take-no-prisoners work ethic into a liveably cool package. A sweeping curve blends the passenger cabin into the Sheet Molded Composite bed. Lighter than steel by 100 pounds, the recyclable, 50-inch SMC box is impervious to corrosion. Although the open bed doesn’t possess the inherent security of an enclosed SUY, the tailgate is equipped with a key lock, and there’s a locking hard tonneau cover available. The optional “cargo cage” can extend the bed to nearly six feet, and the lightweight device removes very easily. Ten cargo tiedowns hold cargo in place. For tailgate parties, there’s a…

Couldn’t care less about fording foot-deep streams or bounding endlessly through fields of bone-jarring boulders? No problem. Volvo’s new V70 XC—for Cross Country—is the thinking-person’s alternative to owning some wildly oversized and perpetually underutilized traditional SUV. More than up to dealing with any on-road and virtually all offroad situations most sane humans are likely to encounter voluntarily, this all-terrain/all-wheel-drive touring wagon picks right up where its successful predecessor left off. Spawned from the new V70, the 2001 XC enjoys all the design, structure, and safety benefits of its conventional front-drive counterpart. Compared to the vehicle it replaces, it boasts a far more rigid unibody, slicker chassis design, roomier, more user-friendly interior, plus the latest iteration of seatbelt/airbag/side curtain passenger protection. The net result: better ride and handling coupled with greater…

Consider this a recipe substitution. Nology Engineering took the successful formula used by the slammed tuner compact crowd and inserted a Lincoln LS V-8 in place of the de rigueur Civic or Integra. The result is one hot-running, trendy-looking Lincoln. Appearance mods include Razzi side skirts, front spoiler, and rear undertray, plus a rear spoiler from California Dream. The suspension was lowered with shorter, stiffer Eibach springs and more aggressive Bilstein shocks. The single best modification was its Pirelli P Zero tires (245/40ZR18 on 8.0-inch-wide Ronal LZ wheels), which boosted skidpad cornering grip to a lofty 0.90 g. Still, the result of these suspension modifications was mixed: The Nology Lincoln struggled in the slalom, only besting a stock LS Sport by a slim 0.9 mph. The car was extremely difficult…

Movie stars and world-class athletes can afford to drive any vehicle(s) they want. So it’s interesting to see what they choose, given that price isn’t usually one of their criteria. Tennis star Mark Philippoussis can afford as many Ferraris and Bentleys as he fancies, but opted instead for this no-holds-barred Range Rover 4.6 HSE. And seeking something “a bit more” than stock, he turned his new HSE over to Becker Automotive Design, whose client list includes a singer named Barbra and a golfer called Tiger. No area of this Range Rover was left untouched. For more punch from the somewhat sluggish 4.6, on went a Cameron Concepts supercharger system and a stainless steel, cat-back exhaust system. With something like 350 horsepower, it’s now as quick as one of “Flip’s” power-serves.…

A NEW DIRECTION FOR ONBOARD NAVIGATION Just because you can’t afford a luxury vehicle with all the upscale trimmings doesn’t mean you can’t take advantage of the new wave in GPS onboard navigation systems. In fact, one of the most advanced systems on the market—Alpine's DVD PowerNav (NVE-N851 A) ($2000)— can be installed in virtually any vehicle, including the Dodge Ram QuadCab project truck we created a few months back. Like the sophisticated Honda/Acura DVD system Alpine manufactures, this aftermarket version offers several advantages over conventional nav setups. First, instead of needing different databases depending on which region of the country you’re in, DVD packs detailed maps of the entire continental U.S.—as well as thousands of points of interest—on one disc, allowing you to plot a route from coast to…

Base price................................ $48,000 Price as tested........................ $57,095 Body style................... 4-door, 5-pass. Engine size/type............... 4.0-1 iter V-8 Transmission............... 5-speed auto. Driveline config............ Front engine, rear drive 0-60 mph, sec...................................7.0 EPA mpg, city/hwy.......................17/23 Total mileage................................ 7716 Test mileage................................. 7293 Fuel consumed, gal...................441.9 Fuel cost.... ............................ $731.95 Average mpg................................16.5 Additional oil/cost......................None Routine maint.........................$196.00 Additional maint.........................None Previous maint............................None Problem areas............................None Total operating cost...............$927.95 Operating cost/mile...................12.70 2000 JAGUAR S-TYPE The Jaguar S-Type heritage cues from the automaker’s rich history into a tastefully elegant sedan. Sharing its platform with the 2000 Car of the Year Lincoln LS, it reveals the merits of the British marque’s being acquired by Ford in its solid construction, refinement, and modern technologies. We ordered the eight-cylinder variant with several option groups. The $4300 Communications package: console-mounted cell phone, voice-activated controls, navigation…

Set to debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show in 2001, BMW’s all-new flagship sedan aims to write an entirely new chapter in the big book of luxo-sedans. Determined to meet and beat the challenge of Mercedes-Benz’ superb new S-Class, as well as VW’s upcoming D1, the next 7 Series stands as the most ambitious undertaking ever for the Munich firm. It will introduce a number of styling and technology elements slated to be part of many other BMW models in the early part of the 21st century. Visually, this stunning sedan will retain a number of classic family cues, but they’ll be integrated into a noticeably rounder, sleeker overall envelope. While its basic size won't change much, a slightly longer wheelbase coupled with shorter front/rear overhangs give the big four-door…

Budget-conscious consumers just got a break. Well, a couple of breaks, to be precise, both courtesy of Korean automaker Kia. They come in the form of two new faces in its U.S. lineup, the 2000 Spectra and the 01 Rio. Derived from the front-drive Sephia platform, the Spectra’s four-door hatchback configuration brings additional utility to the basic sedan format, helped in part by a standard split/folding rear seatback. But Kia contends its biggest attraction is an arguably sportier appearance that should give the car more appeal to younger buyers with smaller bankrolls. The firm is already working on a number of factory accessory items to help personalize the Spectra lineup, which consists of GS and GSX versions based at $10,795 and $12,995, respectively. Given its econosedan heritage, the Spectra has…

It’s the All-American musclecar question: “Wot’ll shaydo inna quoter mall?” (Translation: “What’ll she do in the quarter mile?”) We headed for the dragstrip in search of the answer. We also went seeking the Truth when it comes to stopping distance and two of the many components that help quantify handling. When it comes to any kind of race track, know this: No two are ever alike. Furthermore, the same track’s personality will be different on given days, and will even change throughout the day. After doing acceleration tests on more than 2000 cars over the past nine and a half years, it’s clear to me that dragstrip starting lines offer less grip for street tires than does the asphalt at our regular test facility. And some car/tire combinations suffer worse…

Just in case there’s still any doubt after reading the rest of this story, don’t go up against a Viper in an acceleration contest. Most V-8 engines need major massaging to pump out something like what the V-10 generates at just above idle. And this motor never, ever sounds or feels like it’s working hard—even when you’re deep into triple-digit speeds at the end of a long straight. But be very careful when the road starts to curve. Although the Viper is capable of terrific road-course lap times, it’ll take a giant bite out of your silly butt if you let the tire slip angles get too extreme. Stupidity, inattention, or a shortage of driving talent eventually will be rewarded with a humility-inducing spin. The Cobra R is the fastest…

What the hell is going on here? • Ford insists its new Explorer Sport Trac is an SUV—although most would say that cargo box attached to the back makes it a pickup truck. • The EPA classifies Chrysler’s funky new PT Cruiser as a Special Purpose vehicle, although it performs an outstanding modern imitation of the ’37 Ford live-window sedan—which is clearly a car, in our book. • Volvo, Audi, and Subaru are attacking the sport/utility market with repackaged station wagons—and making sales ground. • What’s going on with four-wheel drive versus all-wheel drive? • Can anyone figure out Pontiac’s spacey new Aztek? Cars based on trucks, trucks based on cars, minivans trying to be sport/utilities. Confused? You’re not the only one. What we’re seeing here is nothing less than…

All agree the Chevrolet Silverado is a pickup truck. But when you take the Silverado, cut out the rear bulkhead, weld on a roof over the bed, and bolt in two more rows of seats, then the Suburban, is a sport/utility vehicle. But what if you then lop off part of the Suburban’s roof, remove the third-row seats, install an openable rear bulkhead, and fashion something that’s a cross between car trunk and pickup bed? Is it a pickup? An SUV? An entirely new species? By early next year, you'll have to decide. That’s when the 2002 Chevy Avalanche reaches showrooms. Chevrolet wants you to call the Avalanche an Ultimate Utility Vehicle. When forced to choose between SUV and pickup, it chooses the latter, despite the fact that the Avalanche…

When we named Lexus’ RX 300 as our Sport/Utility of the Year for 1999, we praised it as an acknowledgement that many, indeed most, SUV buyers don’t do heavy-duty off-roading—if any off-roading. The RX capitalized on this fact, offering sport/utility attributes and all-wheel drive, along with a more carlike driving experience. Now, Mazda has accomplished much the same thing with its new Tribute. Don’t classify the Tribute as a mini-ute. It’s nearly 6 inches longer than a Jeep Cherokee and has as much cargo room as the aforementioned RX. And even though its platform will be shared with the Ford Escape, Mazda was responsible for most of its design and engineering aspects. A 130-horsepower four is standard, but we'd recommend heading straight for the 200-horsepower, DOHC V-6. It's a smoothie,…

Like so many other well-established brands, GM’s premier division has undertaken a critical mission: reposition for the new millennium. Nowhere is that effort more directly visible than in Cadillac’s latest concept car, the Imaj. Following on the heels of the edgy Evoq roadster, this unique high-end tourer expands the program into yet another dimension. Our sister publication, Britain’s CAR Magazine, recently caught up with Simon Cox, head of GM’s small concept car design studio in Birmingham, England, and chief designer of the Imaj. He provided insight on the hows and whys of this distinctive one-off—and its implications for future Cadillac production vehicles. Call him a man on a mission. Since the day it was commissioned in April 1999, Simon Cox was adamant that the Imaj be nothing less than a…

The newest offering from performance-car manufacturer Saleen is the 2000 SR, built using a 2000 Ford Mustang as the base vehicle. It’s powered by the venerable 5.8-liter OHV Ford V-8 engine boosted to 505 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque via a Saleen centrifugal supercharger. This is the same engine Saleen installs in his S351 cars (but with a touch more power and torque). The S351 we tested last year produced great track numbers, sprinting 0-60 mph in 4.7 seconds while finishing the quarter mile in 13.0 seconds at 111.7. Other differences between the SR and the S351 are in the area of suspension. While the S351 features a solid axle in the rear and stock-style MacPherson struts up front, the SR features front and rear suspension similar to the…

In five short years, the enthusiastic and visionary Panoz family has created a quiver of radical looking, front-engine Ford-powered sports and sports racing cars that have devastated and confounded rivals both on track and off. Now, the Georgia-based Panoz Auto Development has introduced a turn-key ready-to-run one-design race car for Sports Car Club of America amateur competition. Called the Panoz GTS, the space-frame composite-bodied car is built on the same production line as the AIV roadster. It’s a faster and more aggressive version of for-racing models developed for both Panoz’ racing school and the Women’s Global GT Series. Instead of the school car’s 4.9-liter OHV V-8 or the Women’s series’ 4.6-liter/305-horsepower DOHC V-8, Panoz’ newspec racer uses the 5.8-liter/385-horse version of the pushrod V-8. Priced at $54,950, the GTS is…

Every once in a while, an engine swap comes along that makes so much sense, you wonder why it wasn’t built that way. Such is the case with TLC’s Chevy V-8-into-Toyota FJ55, 60, or 62 Land Cruiser package. Interestingly enough, Toyota’s inline six was based on an old Chevy design to begin with. It’s both smooth and robust, but can’t match the power and torque offered by a modern American V-8. These older full-size Cruisers have always been popular, but have attained near-cult status as the market for larger, four-door sport/utilities has grown. And while this photo shows an FJ55 with a carbureted, previous-generation small-block V-8, the hot ticket is TLC’s new LS1-Vortec swap. The package looks stock, and retains as much of the factory GM hardware as possible. TLC…

It sounded good in the brochure: “We bring you the new G20, a luxury car engineered to hold its considerable own in a tight corner. With a nimble suspension and responsive engine, it is every inch a pleasure to drive. And with numerous amenities, every inch an Infiniti. The G20 stands as an integration of luxury and, yes, fun.” We needed no more incentive than the above to add a new-for-’99 G20 to our long-term fleet, to see if Infiniti’s entry-level model lived up to its advanced billing. The previous-generation G20 (sold through 796) was a mixed success for Nissan’s upmarket division. It did sell in certain numbers but was too pricey; $5000 (or more) rebate/discount incentive offerings—a lot for a low- $20K kind of car—were commonplace. Yet, it introduced…