New Vehicle Guide

Automotive Industries, Oct 1, 1998 by Phil Berg

The A-to-Z listing of what's new, and what's changed, in U.S. cars and trucks.

Phil Berg

ACURA A new 225-hp 3.2L V-6 powers the 3.2TL near-luxury sedan. It's based on the 200-hp 3.0L aluminum V-6 introduced in the Honda Accord last year. Side airbags are now standard on the big 3.5RL luxury car, which also gets a re-tuned suspension for spottier handily.

AUDI The '99 Quattro Tiptronic A6 Avant wagon (shown)went on sale last summer. It shares the A6 sedan's 200-hp, 2.8L V-6. A less-expensive 1.8L turbocharged 4-cylinder model replaces the smaller A4 wagon, which appeared last year with a 190-hp version of the 2.8L V-6. Tiptronic steering wheel shifting controls are available on the five-speed automatic versions.

BENTLEY The new Arnage sedan, sibling to the Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph, is powered by a BMW 349-hp 4.4L twin-turbo V-8 developed by Cosworth. Although VW purchased Bentley, it agreed with BMW to use the engine through 2002.

BMW New this fall are the M Coupe (shown) and Z3 2.8 coupe - hardtop two-seaters powered by the 2.8L and 3.2L inline sixes of their more-expensive roadster counterparts. BMW's 'VANOS' stepless variable valve timing system arrives for the first time in the U.S., along with a five-speed automatic transmission, on the 323i and 328i sedans. Both new models are the fourth-generation of the 3-Series platform, while the 381ti, 323is, 328is, and M3 models continue on the third-generation platform. The VANOS-equipped inline sixes also feature Bosch's 'drive-by-wire' electronic throttle. Expected later this fall are two new 5-Series cars - a hot-rod 395-hp V-8 M5 sedan and a 6-cylinder wagon. Side airbags trickle down into the low-price 318ti coupe, too.

BUICK Century% traction control is revised to work at all speeds, and the year-old mid-size sedan also gets an ABS sensor-based low-tire-pressure warning system. The Regal LS's 3.8L V-6 gets a 5-hp increase to 200 hp, and a stiffer suspension.

CADILLAC A massaging driver's seat sourced from Delphi (shown) is optional on the STS sedan. Four groups of four rollers perform a 10-minute magic fingers act when the driver pulls up on the power lumbar switch. The new Escalade SUV (see p. 105) is a rebadged GMC Denali, but with redesigned seats, more sound-deadening, and tires that Cadillac says run quieter.

CHEVROLET The Silverado pickup replaces the former C/K full-sizers (see complete program story, Dec. '97, p.40). All Silverados get rear disc brakes, and optional adjustable shock damping.

A lower-priced fixed-roof model of the Corvette is added this year, weighing about 100 pounds less than the removable-top coupe. The new model comes only with the sporty Z51 suspension and a six-speed manual transmission. Convertible and targa-roof Corvette offers a head-up display, an electrically telescoping steering column and an antilock brake-operated stability control system.

The Tracker SUV (a Suzuki Vitara) gets a wider track, rack-and-pinion steering replaces the worm-and-roller box, and the part-time four-wheel-drive system can now be engaged on the fly. A new 2.0L 4-cylinder is added to the line with the existing 1.6L.

Camaro Z28 models get a Torsen limited-slip differential standard, but a conventional clutch-pack differential is available on the special SS model.

A new TrailBlazer model of the Blazer SUV offers a floor-mounted shifter, and all Blazers and Astro vans can get the Autotrac automatically engaging part-time four-wheel-drive system. The Venture minivan's 3.4L V-6 gets a 5-hp boost, to 185 hp.

CHRYSLER The classy 300M luxury sedan bows as a 10-inch-shorter version of the latest LHS flagship luxury car. Both are powered by the new 3.5L sohc 24-valve all-aluminum V-6 that makes 253 hp. Its Concorde sedan cousin, as well as the Cirrus compact, gets additional sound deadening, and the top-line Cirrus LXi adds rear disc brakes. The Town & Country minivan's rear outer cargo floor was raised so the spare tire could be mounted higher, increasing ground clearance.

DAEWOO A new brand on the American market (Korean maker Daewoo built the Pontiac LeMans from 1988 to 1992)is being merchandised without the benefit of a dealer network, and includes three models: The three- or four-door Lanos, with a 105-hp dohc 1.6L four; the Nubira (see Cars Worth Noting p. 16), a 129-hp 2.0L-powered four-door sedan, five-door hatchback or wagon; and the Leganza four-door compact (shown), motivated by a 131-hp 2.2L four.

DODGE A stripper, two-wheel-drive Durango SUV debuts with the 3.9L V-6. The Grand Caravan ES minivan gets an 'AutoStick' shifter, a simple toggle on the column-mounted shift lever, as well as 17-inch wheels, which are a narrow six-inches-wide for clearance. Cummins' 5.9L inline-six turbodiesel available in Ram pickups gets a horsepower boost (now 235 hp), via a new 24-valve cylinder head.

Both Vipers, the R/T10 roadster and GTS Coupe, now come with 18-inch wheels.

FERRARI Later in the season an aluminum-bodied, 3.6L version of the V-8 coupe and convertible, dubbed the F360 Fiorano, appears. It joins the modified 456M four-seater, which features a carbon-fiber hood, new Bosch antilock brakes, a more sensitive traction-control system, and heavily refined adaptive-damping shocks.