1999 Trucks Hit The Road

Nation's Business, Oct, 1998 by Julie Candler

KIA

The two-door convertible Sportage is a smaller, more maneuverable version of the four-door model of the SUV. A removable cloth top covers only the rear bench seat; a permanent hardtop roof covers the driver and front-seat passenger. The Sportage is available with two-wheel drive and automatic transmission or four-wheel drive with a five-speed manual transmission.

LAND ROVER

The new Discovery Series II has permanent four-wheel drive and a standard four-speed automatic transmission. Longer by 6.5 inches and wider by 3.8 inches, the Discovery Series II has seating for seven as an option. It has a system that reduces leaning when cornering-a first for a production SUV Other features include four-wheel electronic traction control and electronic brake distribution to complement the anti-lock braking system. The 4-liter V-8 engine is noticeably quieter than its predecessor.

LEXUS

There are no changes for the RX 300, which Lexus calls a blend of luxury and sport-utility (it's built on a car chassis). The full-size LX 470 sport-utility, introduced in late 1997 along with the RX 300, also is a carryover for 1999.

LINCOLN

The successful Navigator sport-utility, introduced in model year 1998, has boosted performance with a standard 5.4liter, 32-valve V-8 with 300 horsepower. An optional adjustable pedal system allows drivers to shift the accelerator and brake pedals forward or back to suit them. A roller-wheel system has been added to the third-row bench seat for easy installation and removal.

MAZDA

The first import pickup with a four-door cab is the B-Series Cab Plus 4, which went on sale as 1998 1/2 models in late spring. The rear can be opened only when the front doors are open. Cab Plus 4 is available as an option on B-series trucks with the SE trim level. There are three models, powered by a 2.5liter, four-cylinder engine, a 3-liter V-6, or a 4-liter V-6.

MERCEDES-BENZ

There's a new, more powerful model of the M-Class sport-utility: the ML430, powered by a 268-horsepower, 4.3-liter V-8. The ML430 is distinguished from the earlier ML320 by its standard 17-inch alloy wheels, body-color bumpers, side panels, and side molding.

Heated, leather power seats and wood trim are standard, along with a stability system that helps the driver maintain the direction of the vehicle even under hazardous circumstances.

MERCURY

The redesigned Villager minivan has been lengthened by 4.8 inches, and there's a standard second rear sliding door on the driver's side. The interior is roomier with seven-passenger seating standard.

Under the hood, the Villager's V-6 engine has been increased in size to 3.3 liters from 3 liters and in horsepower to 170 from 151. The climate-control and audio systems are new. And for people who get brainstorms while driving, there's an optional Travelnote digital memo recorder mounted on the driver's sun visor.

The Mountaineer sport-utility has added optional side air bags in the front seats and an optional rear load-leveling system. An optional sensing system detects obstacles up to 6 feet from the rear bumper when backing up and beeps to alert the driver.