New Vehicle Guide

Automotive Industries, Oct 1, 1998 by Phil Berg

The M-Class SUV finally becomes the ML430 with an optional 268-hp, 4.3L V-8. The sport-ute also gets the enormous sunroof that's also available on the V-S-powered ML320. The AMG-tuned C43 is a hot-rod 302-hp C-Class sedan, boasting the same V-8 in the E430 mid-size sedan.

MERCURY Last spring the '99 Mystique/Contour-based Cougar coupe was introduced, with a clever flip-forward seatback for rear ingress, but only on the passenger side.

The Villager minivan is stretched, with a sliding rear passenger-side door available on the driver's side. The Villager's Nissan-built V-6 is upgraded to the new 170-hp 3.3L of the Nissan Pathfinder.

MITSUBISHI A larger Galant sedan (shown) gets an optional 195-hp 3.0L V-6, while the base 2.4L 4-cylinder now makes 145 hp, a 4-hp gain. Side airbags are also optional.

NISSAN Like its Mercury Villager clone, the Quest (SE model shown) is new for '99. The Frontier 4x4 pickup gets the Pathfinders 3.3L V-6, while a rear-drive Frontier with four forward-hinged doors arrives this fall.

OLDSMOBILE The Silhouette minivan boasts the U.S. auto industry's first OEM-available television set in the 'Premiere' model. The 5.6-inch flat-screen TV is integrated into the rear headliner, the screen hinging down for use (shown above). The so-called 'Shortstar' V-6, a 3.5L derivative of the 4.0L/4.6L Oldsmobile/Cadillac Northstar dohc V-8s (at top) powers the Intrigue GLS. The Alero, a Pontiac Grand Am N-body sibling, debuted during the summer with GM's 170-hp 3.4L ohv V-6.

PLYMOUTH The Prowler drops over 70 pounds off the front end with the aluminum-block 253-hp 3.5L V-6 (see Chrysler, above).

PONTIAC Last spring the '99 Grand Am debuted with a 170-hp 3.4L V-6. A Ram Air package adds five horsepower. A Torsen limited-slip differential is standard on all Firebirds. The Grand Prix gets all-speed traction control, and the base 3.8L ohv V-6 gets a 5-hp bump, to 200 hp. The Trans Sport minivan changes its name to Montana (the name of last years popular trim package), and adds a driver's-side rear sliding door.

PORSCHE In January a four-wheel-drive 911 will be available in coupe and convertible body styles, powered by the same 296-hp, water-cooled 3.4L flat-six that moves the latest 911 Carrera coupe (shown) and Cabriolet. The plastic rear-window top folds and raises electrically in less than 20 seconds on the new convertible, which just went on sale.

ROLLS-ROYCE Last spring the Silver Seraph replaced the Silver Spur in the Rolls lineup, and the new sedan is powered by BMW's 6.0L V-12. BMW has since purchased the rights to the Rolls-Royce name, and will likely supply engines for the car through 2002.

SAAB The new 9-3 (shown) is built on a heavily updated 900 platform, powered by a 185-hp turbocharged 2.0L four (see Cars Worth Noting p.16). A 200-hp SE model arrives this fall, and in the spring a 225-hp TWR-built limited-production 9-3 should be available in three body styles - two-door, four-door and convertible. The 9-3 and larger 9-5 sedan add two-section side airbags for front-seat passengers. The bigger 9-5 also gets a chilled glovebox.