Innehållsförteckning för November 2000 från MotorTrend

◼ Oldsmobile showed an Intrigue fitted with a 4.0L Aurora V-8 at the Woodward Dream Cruise Olds Special Vehicles engineers had to bend only one bracket to get the V-8 to fit. No word on production plans. ▴ Ford is launching its ’02 retro Thunderbird in Neiman Marcus’ Christmas catalogue. The Neiman Marcus Edition Thunderbird comes in black, with a removable silver top and costs $41.995. ◼ Honda is giving the Accord a facelift for the ’01 model year with a more sharply chiseled front fascia and hood and a new taillight and rear deck design. An allnew Accord bows in ’03. ▴ Harley Davidson and Ford have teamed up again to produce their second pickup, the limited-edition, ’01 Harley-Davidson F-150 Super Crew four-door. ◼ Hummer, now under GM’s control,…

Any street racer knows the drill: First you see a car you think you can beat. You get close enough to size him up, then you ask what he’s running. Maybe even peek under his hood. After he does the same to you, you hit the pavement. Then, it’s up to you and your car; within seconds the truth’s out there for the world to see. The same holds true for this USA versus the World test. Only in this case it’s nine car companies (not just nine car-punks in a parking lot) doing the beforehand bragging. So let’s get to it. The smallest domestic engine in this test was the second most powerful overall: that’s 4.0L with 450 hp! Thanks to a Vortech centrifugal supercharger with intercooler, the Shelby…

Not that a car that can run 0-60 mph in only 4.7 sec in stock form needs help, but the engineers at Chevrolet wanted to improve the already worldclass performance of the fifth-generation (C5) Corvette by putting it on a diet and giving it more muscle—in effect, a serious workout plan. The result: the awesome Z06 Corvette. The important stats: It replaces the “Hardtop” designation in the lineup for ’01, and only this body style will be available in Z06 form, for now. It packs 40 more hp and is 103 lb lighter than the car it replaces. In the belly of the Z06 sits a newly designed motor, the LS6. In 1971, Chevy shoehorned a 454-cube/425-hp big-block monster under the Corvette’s hood and called it the LS6. That was…

Particularly in its late’70s-themed black and gold “Smokey and the Bandit” paint package, the SLP’s flagrantly curvy version of the Pontiac Firebird is obviously not for the mild nor the meek. This car was built for those American heartlanders with a need for speed, or at least a burning desire to look the part. Quick, mechanically simple, street rugged, and affordable (especially when measured against this octane and sawbucksucking pack), the Fire bird is an American-performance icon. Today, the car’s reputation is built solidly on the aluminum 5.7L LSI V-8 tucked under its bulging hood (modified by SLP to produce 335 hp). Be advised that, with just some minor manifold changes, this is essentially the same killer engine used in Chevrolet’s base Corvette. Teamed with the nicely gated six-speed manual,…

Dodge Ram Different 800-4-A-DODGE or www.4adodge.com Always use seat belts. Remember, children 12 and under in the front seat only with the passenger airbag turned off. Properly secure all cargo. Mopar(r) accessories shown optional. *Based on registration data from The Polk Company for U.S. households owning/leasing a truck and then buying/leasing a new competitive one during the 1996-1999 calendar years.…

◼ WHEN IT’S YOUR OWN MONEY In a test like this, it’s all too easy to focus on the performance numbers and overlook what each car really is as a whole. How would each serve you not just on the test track, but in real life, after spending your own money to buy it? Using that criterion, I’m head-overheels for the Vette. The Z06 mods take the Corvette brand to newfound levels of exhilaration (it stomps all over the great exalted ZR-1 and costs less, to boot), while still delivering comfy ride quality and crankin’ A/C. Unfortunately, I really don’t like the looks of the hardtop body style, in terms of dream car hierarchy (“what I’ll buy the day Warren Buffett adopts me”) the order goes: 360 Modena, 911 Turbo,…

MotorTrendcarclub.com A club that partners you for life Two of the most trusted names in the American automotive world, Motor Trend and carclub.com, the first J.D. Power Club, are joining forces to bring major benefits to readers. Significant savings on gasoline, reimbursement of auto insurance deductibles up to $500, a Mechanic Hotline, and a 24-hour telephone driving directions service are just some of the features the new alliance—named MotorTrendcarclub.com-—will offer. The partnership with Motor Trend enables the club to provide an expanded range of services, and will give it more negotiating power in obtaining discounts for members. Member benefits include 10 percent savings on gas, Emergency Roadside Service, a low-cost used-car inspection service, and auto insurance savings of up to $250 with nationally known companies. The club’s slogan is, appropriately,…

With the instant success of Ford’s edgy new Focus, it was only a question of time before a gamut of go-fast aftermarket parts began to emerge for it. AEM (Advanced Engine Management) was quick to offer a few performance pieces, as well as a customized package available installed directly from your local Ford dealer. That’s right, buy a brand-new AEM-tweaked Focus and finance it under one payment plan rather than having to shell out cash later for the mods. Even better is the fact that the AEM upgrades are warranted for the full life of the Focus’ factory coverage. Underhood, the Focus’ 2.0L I4 gets an AEM intake system that includes a specially contoured air inlet tube matched with a K&N high-flow air filter. AEM’s new Tru-Power kit has an…

A mid a universal effort to develop cleaner-running automobiles, it’s only recently been a topic of concern that the environment inside an average size car interior can (and often does) contain more than 10 times the pollutants found in the same volume of space outside the vehicle. Typically, these pollutants are much nastier than the dust and pollen contained in outside air. Often they’re the products of bacterial and fungal growth within the dark recesses of most every automobile’s evaporator core case (the case that houses the evaporator core, a radiatorlike device with tubes of refrigerant that “sweat” as condensation collects on the frigid cooling coils), which is the starting point for the air that passes through a car’s ventilation system. With the build-up of dust, dirt, pollen, and such,…

In Europe, they’re everywhere. Crawling the streets, like so many thousands of ants. They’re “city cars,” a term that makes perfect sense to drivers in Milan, Paris, London. Zurich. These are places that, for all their many charms, have too many people packed into too little space. Streets are old and narrow, parking always seems non-existent, and gas is $4-$5 a gallon. Or more. Cruise the oldest sections of Florence, Italy, in your Suburban? Forget it. Teeny-weenie cars that get motorcycle-like mileage and can be lodged in just about any crevice are nothing new: There were dozens of fresh designs, such as Fiat’s 500, the BMW Isetta, and the original Mini, created during the ’50s. But it’s been a while since someone has taken a truly fresh, innovative stab at…

Prancing horses were bred for wind-tousled riders’ hair, and Ferrari’s ultra-luxury coupe proves no exception as the F550 Maranello goes topless for ’02. Described as a “low-speed” top, the removable manual cloth roof is not designed for high-speed driving. Rather it’s intended to provide inclement weather protection and security when parked. The body will be stiffened to compensate for the open top, though other modifications will be few. The Barchetta shares the sumptuous 5.5L/485-hp V-12 powerplant with the coupe, while suspension tweaks will compensate for weight changes. We’ve rendered the super stallion for an advance look at the limited-production Barchetta to be unveiled at the Paris Motor Show. Scheduled to go on sale in the United States in summer 2001, the Barchetta Is expected to be priced 22 percent above…

German performance cars have a certain something in their DNA that exudes from every square inch. It’s a special kind of solidity of purpose, of gestalt that no other country’s carmakers can seem to capture: ripped and powerful as an Olympic athlete, yet as understated as a steely-eyed investment banker. On the other end of the scale, Italian sports cars are all sleek lines, raging hormones, lusty screams, and raw emotions: redheaded tempests that love to play. Somewhere in the middle is the American musclecar:big-cube V-8, loud exhaust, smoking tires, and stupidly fun to drive. Now, imagine a car with the best qualities of each of these three vastly differing backgrounds. That car is the BMW Z8. On paper, the Z8 may look like a steroid-injected Z3, but it’s nothing…

From the instant the engine lights, you know you’re in for a synapse-sizzling ride. The wicked, rumbling rasp injects a squadron of butterflies into your stomach and raises goosebumps on your nether bits. Your anticipation is justified: Carroll Shelby has upped the ante on his normally aspirated Shelby Series 1 roadster, and plans soon to offer a dealer-installed intercooled Vortec centrifugal supercharger system that includes specific cams, a larger throttle body, and recalibrated engine-management software. Motor Trend got first crack at trying his just completed development prototype. Blast through the closely spaced gears with your right foot planted, and it feels for all the world like there’s way more than 4.0L under the Shelby’s hood. No peaks. No valleys. Just one awesome plateau of power that stretches from horizon to…

Enter the latest gladiator in the Ford versus Chevy war: The asphalt-chewing, decibel-spewing, Camaro-eating SVT Cobra R. Bred from the well-balanced Mustang Cobra, the R model is armed with everything necessary to dominate road courses and straightline assaults, while needless creature comforts like air conditioning, sound deadening material, the audio system, and even the back seat have been discarded. Bulging with power and bravado, the Cobra R touts a 5.4L/385-hp DOHC V-8 under its raised hood. Exhaling through side-exiting Borla pipes, the R has an intimidating, ferocious bark worthy of its fearless attitude. Power is put to the ground via wide BFGoodrich g-Force KD tires so sticky they pick up small pebbles like giant lint rollers. A hearty launch crams the driver deep in the Recaro bucket seat, while he…

In today’s world, everybody seems to want more: more salary, more time, and more bang-for-the-buck. Ford isn’t offering a solution on how to line your wallet with more greenbacks, but with the substantively updated ’01 Ranger, it’s offering you more power, more comfort, more trim groups, and a fresh look to help get you through the day. Although the Ranger has been the best-selling truck in its class for 13 years, much of it was tossed in favor of an even better package. Most notable in the new-for-’Ol department are more aggressive front body panels. The previous Ranger’s fairly conservative front nose has been replaced with a bold new grille, headlights, and side marker lights, all integrated with a new front bumper and fascia. A new “power dome” hood gives…

When Honda introduced the Civic in ’73, it quickly established the company’s foothold in the American marketplace. At the time, it was seen as a tiny inconspicuous car built by an outfit best known for motorcycles, competing in a market full of V-8-powered lead sleds packing acres of sheetmetal and more chrome than in a Las Vegas strip club. Despite the OPEC fuel crisis in full swing that year, most automakers didn’t bat an eye at Honda’s well-built, gas-sipping little hatchback Big mistake. Almost from the beginning, it’s been the best-selling subcompact in the U.S. For *01, Honda’s upped the ante with increased performance, new suspension hardware, a larger cabin, and an increased level of safety features. This seventh-generation Civic also attempts to build on its track record for sporty…

Driving around Southern California in today’s cars—comparing them to cars of yesteryear—it was inevitable that I’d stumble upon testing venues we used back in the ’50s. One such is Highway 111, a two-lane road along the east side of the Salton Sea. With only the occasional farmer’s pickup truck or tractor to contend with, we’d surreptitiously mark off a quarter-mile strip for performance runs, plus braking tests and steady-speed fuel checks. Revisiting that spot recently with a 2000 Cadillac DeVille DTS, I had to look twice to make sure it was the same place; it was packed not only with pickups and tractors, but big rigs, cars, RVs, motorcycles, and something that was unheard of back then—sport/utility vehicles. In the old days, after testing, we’d partake of a sandwich and…

1 H&R CUP KIT Available for many German cars, the H&R performance spring and shock Cup Kit drops each vehicle about 60 mm (front) and 40 mm (rear), depending on the application. H&R says the shock valving is matched to the spring rate. $1539 set of 4 • 888/827-8881 or 888/372-8473 • www.tirerack.com 2 KONI SPORT DAMPERS Many of Koni’s Sport shocks and struts (available from Tire Rack) are externally adjustable to accommodate suspension tuning for the required use. Koni says / its Sport units are designed to limit body movement under braking and acceleration, while improving steering feel. $136, koni.com • 888/372-8473 • www.tirerack.com 3 BILSTEIN COILOVER KITS Available from Neuspeed, the Bilstein Coilover Kit features four adjustable shocks, four progressive or multi-stage springs and mounting hardware. The coilovers…

To obtain copies of these authoritative tests by fax or post, contact our 24-hour ordering service. Pay by Visa or Mastercard, and the article will be dispatched to you instantly. Reprints cost $4.95 for a single-car review, or $9.95 if the vehicle appeared in a comparison test (identified by a • after the issue date). Call 1-800-549-0682 to order. Visit motortrend.com for America’s greatest car data and buying advice. Audi TT Roadster Getting the TT quattro through a tight curve quickly was like learning to tie a Windsor knot—at first awk-ward, then a cinch. Dodge Viper In the not-too-distant past, a box-stock Viper would’ve been one hell of a Trans Am race car—really. KEY:.= comparison, T =turbocharged, S = supercharged, D = diesel, M = manual, A = automatic, SA…

2000 Subaru Legacy Outback Our Legacy gets used exactly as you’d expect it to: people and grocery hauling, not heavy-duty off-roading. But that’s how most people really drive their sport/utilities, and why the Outback makes so much sense—some SUV attitude and cargo room, and a carlike driving experience. We’d report on service or quality problems if there were any. But so far, nada—though its 10,000 mile service interval is just around the corner. Several back-seat passengers have wished for some rear-compartment HVAC vents, but many other vehicles in this price class don’t have them either. Another commented that the plasti-wood is slightly tacky and perhaps unnecessary—always a question of taste, though praise for the quality leather upholstery is universal. Also good commentary on the airy cabin’s visibility, too. And with…

future forecast Although the Hummer H2 is on the fast track to launch (Oct. 2000), it’ll probably be followed by a lesser-known “baby” Hummer, internally dubbed H3. At press time, GM hadn’t announced an official green light to produce H3, but our sources say it’s a foregone conclusion that this Hummerette will hit dirt in about three years. To be derived from the next-generation S-10 platform (GMT355), not the midsize SUV (GMT360), the daring H3 will share basic powertrain and suspension architecture with its pickup siblings. However, the H3 program will significantly modify the chassis to achieve the essential width, steep approach angles, and towering ground clearance necessary for a Hummer product. Ignore the trick independent suspension shown on the H2 concept vehicle; we hear the production H2 and H3…

It’s Only a Question of Time When offering its best-selling Jetta model in the U.S. as a wagon for ’01, Volkswagen will be among those automakers who are beginning to put faith in the future of wagons—again. We had an opportunity to drive a European-spec Jetta wagon (called a Bora Variant in Europe) equipped with the “4Motion” all-wheeldrive system, powerful 24-valve 2.8L/204-hp V-6 (bummer, ours will be the 12-valve, 174-hp V-6 with front drive only) and a six-speed manual transmission. Wow, what a rocket! Blasting down the French autoroute at 130 mph (and still accelerating) was a surprise, but being capable of light off-roading and confidently snaking up rain-soaked mountain roads in fourth gear was the clincher. What more could you ask from a vehicle? From the new high-tech…

The high-speed oval at Ford’s top-secret Desert Proving Grounds is the type of mouth-watering track purpose-made for a Motor Trend performance shootout: five miles of perfectly manicured, high-grip asphalt. Steep 31° banking. Delicious 135-mph neutral-speed (hands off the wheel) corners. 24-hour support from the helpful staff. Awesome tools Cheap gas An on-site cafeteria with ’50s prices. Real restrooms. Even outside air conditioning! Could it possibly get any better? Assemble nine of the fastest, most powerful, cars on earth. Pack in the racing suits, helmets, radar detectors, and credit cards. Arrange for a brand-new 37-ft Fleetwood Discovery luxury motorhome to be delivered with a week’s worth of road-trip supplies. Then drive ’em like a bunch of 16-year-olds all the way from L A. to the high-security gates just outside Kingman, Arizona—-300…

It’s difficult not to be overwhelmed by Ferrari’s $141,525 Modena. In spite of its alluring looks, great moves, high technology, and marque history steeped in legend and lore, its primary calling card is 400 hp (actually 395, but close enough) at the most blood-curdling 8500 rpm you’ll ever hear from a street-legal car. New from the ground up this year, the 360 Modena employs aluminum alloys just about everywhere you look. Its lightweight space frame is cast, stamped, extruded, and forged entirely of the stuff. Ditto the 3.6L DOHC 5-valves-per-cylinder (fiinquevalvole) V-8, and six-speed transaxle. Upper and lower A-arms and uprights? Aluminum. Most of the curvaceous coachwork? Same. Even the center console, lower door panels, foot pedals and dashboard trim? You guessed it. You’d expect the 360 Modena to perform…

The MT staff tests over 300 vehicles each year, yet few have elicited stronger editor statements regarding their styling. Out on the mean streets, it’s even worse. The oddly proportioned Qvale Mangusta gets a firm thumbs up or down—with positively no neutral ground. It’s love or hate. (And women seem to love it.) Reflecting this, a wee group of MT zealots did come to the defense of this Ameritalian hybrid and its bold Alfa Romeo-like appearance. Indeed, Alfisti might consider this trick-topped 2+2 a fix until new A-R hardware wheels to our shores in a few years. Until then, you’re not likely to get passed by another Mangusta, since this year’s total output from the Modena, Italy, plant is pegged at just 300 units. After a week of close scrutiny,…

Squint at the new 911 Turbo, and you can see both the ’98 Le Mans-winning GT1-98, and Porsche’s exotic 959 of a decade ago. The roofline is much the same, the air intakes and cooling ducts are clearly familial, and there’s a curvaceous wing stuck on the back. The Turbo’s is a shape we’ll never tire of, and one that delivers nosebleed-inducing performance that continues to amaze. There’s not a lot to say about this new-gen 996based Turbo that we haven’t already said, but the specs alone are worth repeating: a twin-turbocharged intercooled 3.6L/415-hp water-cooled DOHC dry-sump-oiled four-valves-per-cylinder flat six, descended directly from the aforementioned GT1 racer. Six-speed manual transmission, crossdrilled vented brakes with the latest ABS, and that rear wing is now a two-stage affair that splits and raises…

It used to be simple: A car was a car, and a truck was a truck. Then, in the ’50s, station wagons became popular. Last decade, sport/utility vehicles further muddied the waters as pickups with fixed roofs over their cargo beds. Guess what? Things have changed again. Here’s the proof: Outwardly, the Acura MDX, BMW X5, and Lexus RX 300 are all SUVs. right? Think again. Because each one shares a great deal of componentry with, and is loosely based on, existing car platforms (Acura’s 3.5RL, BMW’s 5 Series, and the Lexus ES 300, respectively), they drive like cars, yet look like SUVs. Also, because each is offered by a luxury marque attempting to redefine the use and purpose of a sport/utility, all benefit from unique, sophisticated all-wheel-drive systems, luxurious…

With all due respect to the Indy 500, the 24 Hours of Le Mans is the real greatest spectacle in racing. Think about it. Indy’s racetrack qualifies for genuine super-speedway status at 2.5 miles long. But Le Mans covers almost 8.5 miles, much of it on what serves as public roads during the rest of the year. The typical 500 is run in 2.5-3 hours, depending upon rain delays. Le Mans runs nearly 10 times longer—and stops for no weather, inclement or otherwise. Not to mention the fact that Le Mans drivers blaze down the Mulsanne straight at 200 mph—at night. Like Indy, the 24 Heures du Mans is steeped in history and legend, triumph and tragedy certainly none of this is meant to take anything away from the Memorial…

An important element of the Nissan Xterra’s considerable appeal (and sales success) is that it sticks to basics: a tough, capable SUV that does the job—without frills. And given its attractive pricing, there are usually a few postpurchase bucks left over for some goodies. Several aftermarket builders have worked the Xterra at least once over, and we especially like the approach taken by Overlander Outfitters. The most unique piece is a prototype TJM T15 Winch Bumper; it’s higher and trimmer than the stock fascia, increasing the Xterra’s approach angle, while incorporating a Warn M8000 winch in the process. The bumper also includes protective bars and a mounting spot for the PIAA 80 driving lights. Overlander dresses up the Xterra’s already functional roof rack with more PIAA lights and an OSI…

1 POWERTRAX TRACTION SYSTEM Available for many popular live axles found in vehicles such as Mustangs, Camaros, and most pickups, the Powertrax No-Slip system marries the traction provided by harsh locking differentials with the smooth and quiet operation of marginally effective limited-slip units. The setup installs in the stock differential case and provides consistent power to both rear wheels. $450.800/578-1020 • powertrax.com 2 K&N AIR INTAKE KIT K&N says its Fuel Injection Performance Kit will reduce intake air restriction, allowing your engine to inhale a larger volume of air compared to stock air intake systems. The 50-state-legal unit features one of K&N’s washable high-flow air filters and is available for vehicles such as ’92-2000 Dodge Dakotas, ’962000 Chevy pickups, and ’86-2000 Mustangs. $197, from Summit Racing Equipment • 800/230-3030 •…

Separated by Nearly 40 Years—or at Birth? Toyota’s new MR2 Spy de r is one of today’s newest and freshest roadster designs. It’s light, offers a high-revving four-cylinder engine mounted amidships, and a clean, unadorned design: single headlights, a simple front grille, air intakes aft of the doors, and very little else. So does this prototipo DeTomaso Vallelunga Barchetta. But this diminutive Italian is not a Y2K roadster aimed at Gen-X. It was, in fact, first shown in 1963, and its goal was to help the tiny carmaker segue from racecar maker to legitimate manufacturer of roadgoing sports cars. Its 1500cc four was rated at 135 hp, its coachwork was rendered in aluminum, it weighed but 850 lb, and as you’d expect, its chassis design resembled that of the company’s…