New Cars For 2000 - feature highlights of new and redesigned vehicles for 2000

Ebony, Nov, 1999

WITH retro-styling, agile-handling, athletic performance and practical technology for the 2000 model year, car manufacturers have managed to pack their vehicles with more premium features than ever before. Engines have been pepped up, as well as horsepower and torque, and interiors have become more user-friendly and comfortable. Expressive designs have resulted in increased cargo space and enlarged head and leg room.

Many safety improvements have been made to this year's fleet of cars. More automobiles now come standard with side air bags, anti-lock brakes and daytime-running lights.

Two new sports utility vehicles--the Nissan Xterra and the Ford Excursion--hit the road this year. And Mazda has an all-new MPV minivan with the segment's first roll-down windows for backseat passengers.

One of the most important trends this year is what the auto industry calls "branding," which is the process of preserving the defining character of a car so that as the years pass the vehicle is immediately recognizable and embraced. The Chrysler 300M and the all-new P.T. Cruiser, for example, are defining cars for the Chrysler brand. The company hopes that the distinctive styling of these cars will evoke emotion and continue to appeal to a broad range of consumers.

With a host of financing options and competitive pricing, heading into 2000, the new car of your dreams might be closer to reality than you think.

The Chrysler 300M is a sporty sedan that blends high performance with Premium appointments and the heritage of the car company's famed "letter series." Introduced in 1999, the 300M boasts a long list of standard features, including leather-trimmed and heated power seats with a personalized memory system heated mirrors and a 3.5-liter, V-6 engine.

The Cadillac Deville has been the world's best-selling luxury car for the past 14 years. It has been redesigned and re-engineered for the 2000 model year to include a stiffer body platform, which is two inches shorter and narrower than its predecessor. Safety features include safety-cage construction and ultrasonic rear parking that assists drivers in rear-parking maneuvers.

The Lincoln LS is a true sports sedan, complete with a rear-drive platform, a rigid double-rail chassis shared with the new Jaguar S-Type sedan. The engine is a 3.0-liter V-6 enhanced by a dual-path intake manifold. The LS also has a full-size spare tire.

The Ford Focus combines a bold new exterior and an all-new chassis in three body styles--a sporty three-door, four-door sedan and versatile wagon. It is powered by a 2.0-liter engine and a quieter powertrain, and is equipped with driver and passenger-side air bags as well as available head-and-chest side air bags.

The Mercury Cougar boasts advanced styling and fun-to-drive dynamics to offer a sporty alternative to the usual small-car styling. Mercury hopes the Cougar's sophisticated "New Edge" design and exuberant driving personality will earn it a whole new audience. Two engine choices include a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder Zetec and a powerful 2.5-liter, V-6 multi-valve Duratec.

The Ford Taurus takes on a new contemporary look for 2000, and builds on the previous model's safety improvements. The Taurus comes standard with a glow-in-the-dark emergency trunk release (designed to allow a child or an adult who's trapped inside the trunk to open it from the inside) and North America's first power adjustable brake and accelerator pedals to allow smaller drivers a more comfortable experience.

The Mercury Sable continues as the flagship of the Mercury brand. A new look inside and out--coupled with enhanced safety, power, smoothness, comfort and convenience--make Sable a leading vehicle for the mid-size sedan segment.

The Chrysler P.T. Cruiser will be introduced in the first half of next year as a 2001 model. The P.T. stands for "Personal Transportation," and as the name suggests, the car breaks the mold of the traditional small car to create a flexible activity vehicle. While the design blends contemporary and nostalgic cues, the Cruiser was engineered with highly advanced technologies, including a powerful 2.4-liter, DOHC 16-valve engine and left- and right-hand drive versions of the car. The split-folding rear seat can be folded forward or removed completely to reveal a flat-bed floor the size of a small pick-up.

The Plymouth Neon is all new for 2000 but stays true to the brand philosophy by offering a fun-to-drive and versatile car that moves into the more sophisticated end of the subcompact segment. Standard features include six-speaker stereo cassette and theater-style, self-dimming interior lamps. The Neon also boasts more interior room, increased trunk capacity and a quieter ride.

The Pontiac Sunfire comes with a new interior, updated exterior and several new colors, including spruce green and silver metallic. Available in coupe, sedan and convertible models, as well as with either a 2.2-liter or a 2.4-liter twin cam engine, the Sunfire offers a sporty car for the budget-minded driver.