New Vehicle Guide

Automotive Industries, Oct 1, 1998 by Phil Berg

FORD Bigger wheel arches and new head- and taillights distinguish the restyled Mustang. Its base 3.8L ohv V-6 gains intake refinements which boost power by a whopping 40 hp, to 190hp total. The optional 4.6L sohc V-8 gets new heads, cams, bigger valves, and intake tuning for 25 extra hp (now 250 hp). The rear suspension retains its coil-sprung live axle, though a new SVT Cobra model is expected to be offered with an independent setup.

The SVT folks also raised horsepower of the Contour SVT, from 195 hp to 200 hp. And all V-6 Contours will get all-speed traction control.

A new F-150 Lightning pickup also comes from the SVT department, with an Eaton M112 supercharger on the improved 5.4L sohc V-8 that comes in the less-speedy Ford pickups. The naturally aspirated 5.4L moves up 25 hp, to 260 hp total, thanks to new cylinder heads. The light-duty F-Series pickups get a fourth door on the Club Cab extended models (see July '98, p. 52). The big Expedition SUV also gets the stronger 5.4L as an option, and its base 4.6L rises 25-hp to 240 hp. The Expedition also has a new electrically adjustable pedal cluster.

The heavy-duty pickups (F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550) are all new, with a stronger ladder frame, an aggressive Dodge Ram-inspired front end, and an optional 265-hp sohc 6.8L V-10. The Windstar minivan (SEL model shown) now has two Delphi-sourced power rear sliding side doors. Both doors are operated by dash switch or by a remote. Also optional is an ITT-developed-and-supplied sonar object-detecting backup alarm.

GMC The Sierra (shown) is an all-new clone of Chevy's new Silverado pickup. The Jimmy, Envoy, Savana, and Safari get the same mechanical upgrades as their Chevy counterparts.

HONDA The latest Odyssey minivan (see story, p.47) has a 210-hp 24-valve sohc VTEC 3.5L V-6, driving its front wheels. The all-new Odyssey comes only as a five-door. Both sliding rear passenger side doors are available with power operation. The Prelude gets a 5-hp boost from a less-restrictive exhaust, giving five-speed models 200 hp. The little CR-V wagon gets a 20-hp boost, to 145 hp, through a higher compression ratio and a freer-flowing exhaust.

HYUNDAI The Sonata is all new, with two new engines: a 2.4L 4-cylinder and a 2.5L V-6. The 4-cylinder engine in the Elantra sedan and wagon grows from a 130-hp 1.8L, to a 140-hp 2.0L.

INFINITI The G20 luxury subcompact (G20t shown) once again appears, this time with body and engine mounting refinements to keep its 140-hp dohc 2.0L four more isolated. Antilock brakes and side airbags are standard in this American version of the Japanese market Nissan Primera. The big flagship Q45 gets yet another facelift, including arc-discharge headlamps.

ISUZU The exotic-looking VehiCROSS two-door SUV that was sold in limited numbers in Japan last year is scheduled to land Stateside early in 1999. It'll have a simplified body and sport the Troopers 215-hp dohc 3.5L V-6. A hardtop version of the Amigo two-door that went on sale last spring will also be available, while Isuzu continues to sell the first-generation Honda Odyssey minivan rebadged as the Oasis.