AutoWeek articles from January 2002

AutoWeek archives from January 2002

Crossing the pond.(DaimlerChrysler)(Brief Article)
January 7, 2002... DaimlerChrysler nearly ended its long string of hits last year with a quartet of questionable concepts, but one from the group struck a chord: Crossfire. Crossfire will rise from the concept car primordial goo and be the production-car...

U.S. Team Lights Up All-Star Race ; Robby Gordon brings fire to a friendly season-ender.(Brief Article)
January 7, 2002... For 14 years, the Race of Champions has brought together the best world rally drivers, with several championship-winning guests invited from other classes of motorsports, including motorcycling. Remember the Battle of the Network Stars? Well,...

Production (cars) under way in L.A.; On Tinseltown stage, last year's dreams become this year's reality.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 7, 2002... When moviemakers say they're ``going into production,'' it means they have all the money, stars are signed and filming is about to begin. Likewise, at the Los Angeles Auto Show, the stars are the ``going-into-production'' versions of concept...

Car Board.(Brief Article)
January 7, 2002... Hey, sport, if you're looking to jump onto the hottest automotive bandwagons to start this New Year, these will point the way. * Acura RSX TYPE-S Price: $23,650 Engine: 2.0-liter I4, 200 hp, 142 lb-ft Curb weight: 2778 lbs ...

2003 Pontiac Vibe; GM's new Toyota.(Product Announcement)(Statistical Data Included)
January 7, 2002... The Pontiac Vibe is General Motors' best new small car since the Chevy Nova. No, not that Nova-we're talking about the Toyota Corolla Chevrolet dealers began selling in 1985, the one that was built at New United Motor Manufacturing Inc....

Look! It's a truck! No, it's a rod! No, it's SSR; Chevrolet finally puts concept excitement on the road.
January 7, 2002... Sitting in the garage, sheltered from a sprinkling rain outside, it looked nothing at all like the big purple machine that made such a splash at the Detroit auto show almost two years before. No pickup bed, no roundy-round front end, no chrome...

Fast, faster, fastest.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)(Statistical Data Included)
January 7, 2002... Going from 0 to 60 mph in 6.2 seconds is nothing to shout about when you're talking about sports cars, but when the vehicle is a sport/ute that tips the scales at 4824 pounds, that's a different story. Until Porsche unveils its Cayenne SUV...

Almost super.(Acura NSX)(Brief Article)
January 7, 2002... Since its launch in 1991 Acura's NSX has hovered at the fringe of sports car greatness. The hand-built two-seat, mid-engine sports car served as a rolling technology test bed and showcase for Honda engineers. While technology continued to be...

Turin intrigue: Alfa plans shrouded in mystery.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 7, 2002... As Alfa Romeo prepares for a renewed assault on the U.S. market, the future of the Fiat division is clouded: The parent company will create a separate business unit for its Turin-based sports car builder. Some suggest Fiat's move means Alfa...

Mmm Good ; BMW's M3: Bread and butter for the enthusiast.(Brief Article)
January 14, 2002... The BMW M3 is about as good as it gets. No, it's not the fastest car out there, nor is it the most nimble. But the M3 can legitimately claim to be one of the best balanced, most fun enthusiast automobiles on the road. And after reading letters...

Correction.(1929 Nash Model 461 Cabriolet)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2002... The 1929 Nash Model 461 Cabriolet featured in ``The Car'' in the Dec. 24, 2001 issue is owned by Harold R. Metzgar.

Television Jan. 18-20.(Car races)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2002... Friday, Jan. 18 Legends of Motorsport, 10 a.m., Speedvision (T) The Dakar Rally, 11 a.m., Speedvision (T) Australian Super Touring, noon, Speedvision (T) FIA Sportscar Championship from Nevers, France, 2 p.m., Speedvision (T)...

Solstice for all seasons.(concept cars)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2002... Those who still need proof that Bob Lutz is revolutionizing General Motors' product development efforts need look no further than the Pontiac Solstice. What was merely an idea in September is now a driveable concept car. Penned by designer...

New world order?(General Motors)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2002... While most car companies busily refresh their model lineups, General Motors claims it's busy reinventing the automobile. By building from the ground up using fuel cell propulsion and drive-by-wire technology, GM engineers have created a new...

The News.(Brief Article)
January 14, 2002... Better VIII than never Mitsubishi confirms its Lancer Evolution will be sold in America, starting in January 2003. While the car at the Los Angeles show was an Evo VII, next year's production car could be an Evo VIII, given the development...

Detroit goes pro; Automakers show sporty side at Detroit Auto Show.(Brief Article)
January 14, 2002... Certain professional franchises aside, Detroit can safely claim the title of ``sport'' capital of the world during the 2002 North American International Auto Show. ``Sport'' is the operative word, from production cars like the Cadillac XLR...

Views and Reviews.(BMW M3)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2002... OWNERS The M3 combines an incredible dose of acceleration and handling in a package that is both practical and tastefully luxurious. The car has a bank vault feel to it. The fender flares and the exhaust quartet are true indicators of...

ROAD TEST DATA.(Brief Article)
January 14, 2002... STANDING-START ACCELERATION 0-30 mph: 1.80 sec 0-40 mph: 2.94 sec 0-50 mph: 3.86 sec 0-60 mph: 5.10 sec 0-100 km/h (62.1 mph): 5.37 sec 0-80 mph: 8.56 sec 0-quarter-mile: 102.3 mph, 13.68 sec ...

1957 Fiat Ferrari Transporter ; One lucky truck.(Brief Article)
January 14, 2002... If trucks had aspirations, what goal could be higher than to become the world's first purpose-built Ferrari transporter? Picture a Fiat assembly line in 1957 with beefy Tipo 682R truck chassis rolling along. A representative from custom truck...

The Future.(Trade shows)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2002... March 10 Rocky Manginelli Memorial Swap Meet Lincoln, Neb. This 29th annual event is sponsored by the Eastern Nebraska-Western Iowa Car Council. Call (402) 786-2427 for more information. March 15-17 Southern Trans Am...

Cars as cars, trucks as trucks; All is right in the world for 2002.(Brief Article)
January 14, 2002... As a general rule, 2001 was a good year for cars as cars and trucks as trucks. Or put another way, candidates for 2002 North American Car of the Year were, well, cars. Similarly, most everything competing for top truck honor was a truck, or at...

...But Wait, There's More.(Auto trade shows)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2002... Perhaps she can replace Junqueira at Team Target/Chip Ganassi This week the U.S. Tobacco/Ms. Motorsport 2002 Pageant takes place at the Auto Racing Trade Show in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania. Why do we care? For the 17 years the trade show...

FACTS.(BMW dealerships)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2002... MANUFACTURER'S DATA BMW of North America 300 Chestnut Ridge Road Woodcliff Lake NJ 07677 Customer assistance: (800) 831-1117 Internet address: www.bmwusa.com Country of origin: Germany Number of dealers: 375 ...

Bland Rover?; Not anymore: The all-new Range Rover is hugely improved, and it had to be.(Brief Article)
January 14, 2002... When the first rock hit the windshield we glanced over at David Sneath to see how he'd react. This was in a gazillion-dollar 2003 Range Rover prototype, codenamed L322, on which Sneath is chief engineer. A couple of more rocks whacked us as we...

Sorry, Ferrari!; Enzo's snub led to the birth of Ford's GT40.(Car racing is good marketing)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2002... By early 1963 executives within Ford Motor Co.- Lee Iacocca among them-had recognized the prestige and marketing appeal of auto racing and decided the company could benefit from a successful racing program. It was determined that no competition...

PRICING.(Brief Article)
January 14, 2002... Base: $45,400 As tested: $49,395 IntelliChoice target price: $50,592 Rebates: None Destination charge: $645 What owners paid; average: $50,200 to $63,800; $54,214 Options as tested: Gas guzzler tax ($1,000); leather...

Japan, GM take top honors.(Brief Article)
January 14, 2002... For the first time in the nine-year history of the award, jurors voted North American Car of the Year honors to a car wearing a Japanese nameplate: the 2002 Nissan Altima. Chevrolet TrailBlazer claimed the North American Truck of the Year...

Late Racing News.(Brief Article)
January 14, 2002... Gordon, Petty to Rolex * NASCAR driver Robby Gordon will join Guy Smith, Scott Sharp and team owner Jim Matthews for the 2002 Rolex 24 at Daytona in February (AW, Jan. 7). They'll compete in a Riley & Scott Mk III C chassis in which Gordon...

Competition This Week.(Brief Article)
January 14, 2002... Jag launches 2002 challenger * Jaguar Racing launched its 2002 Formula One challenger, the R3, at its Milton Keynes, U.K., headquarters. The high nose section distinguishes the car from its predecessor, but chief designer John Russell...

Flower Power; A look inside Ford's show-stopping GT40 concept.(Brief Article)
January 14, 2002... It is November and Ford vice president of design J Mays is deliberately coy. A call comes: ``Let's meet in front of Ford's design rotunda. Tomorrow at 5 p.m. I'll be in a black Land Rover. Leave your car and get in. I want to show you...

Letters.(BMW)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2002... Bimmers Re: The lightweight new BMW Z5/M Coupe (News, Dec. 17, 2001). A 2000-pound car with 200-plus horsepower? Marvelous! And from the Bring More Weight motor company, to boot. It should kick serious Honda S2000 and Porsche Boxster S...

Fast Poll: The highs and lows of 2001.(Brief Article)
January 14, 2002... * Highs: The new T-Bird became available. The Forty-Nine may become a reality. Ford finally got a Ford to run the place again. It was fantastic to see the 1901 racer on Pebble Beach, but what I enjoyed the most was the look on Edsel's face,...

Car Board.(Lexus LX 470)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2002... It's that time of year when automakers the world over descend on the Motor City to show their latest wares. Remember these Detroit debuts? * Lexus LX 470 Price: $63,710 Engine: 4.7-liter V8, 230 hp, 320 lb-ft Curb weight:...

Lexus IS 300.(Brief Article)
January 14, 2002... A year and nearly 20,000 miles in the suede-lined saddle of the Lexus IS 300 proved that this high-end sport sedan is hardly Japan's answer to BMW's 3 Series. On the performance side, our testers agree the IS 300 carries no Germanic...

Life with Cars.(Automobile advertising)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2002... Back. Back! O glorious day! Has it been only six years since I put automotive journalism in the rearview mirror and sailed down the off-ramp marked ``marketing-and-public relations''? It seems an eternity. But now I'm back, feeling like a man...

2002 Volkswagen New Beetle Turbo S; A racy little bug.(Brief Article)
January 14, 2002... Eighteen months ago, Ferdinand Piech treated a few members of the media to rides around a German test track in a Volkswagen New Beetle prototype: 220-horse-power VR6 engine, allwheel drive, 18-inch tires. Basically, a road-going race car. As...

Long-Term Wrap-Up.(Brief Article)
January 14, 2002... Miles driven: 19,701 Fuel mileage: 22.28 mpg Fuel cost: $1,552.83 Days out of service: 54 (including 43 days for collision repair) Maintenance: $9,570.35-10,000-, 15,000-, 20,000-mile service ($468.35); five snow tires...

Detroit Auto Show.(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... Best in Show Pontiac Solstice Is the North American market ripe for another affordable two-seater? GM thinks so, and the Pontiac Solstice is the automaker's answer. The car was designed at GM's California studio, and went from a...

The Car: 1968-1976 BMW 2002 ; Birth of the modern Bavarian.(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... Shirts read, ``In 1976, God Stopped Making 2002s.'' This says quite a bit about the legendary BMW two-door sports sedans produced from 1968 to 1976. The BMW 2002 Series emerged from the 85-hp 1.6-liter 1600 (more properly known as the 1600-2)...

Segment buster or station wagon? ; High-luxury `sports tourers' reveal latest definition of crossover vehicle.(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... With everyone from Chrysler to Mercedes-Benz to Volkswagen touting a version of a ``sports tourer,'' the new segment may be the most competitive since the minivan-if it exists at all, that is. Say what? Didn't Chrysler, the king of...

2002 Detroit Auto Show.(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... Mercedes-Benz Vision GST concept After a stimulating lecture from our German hosts on the chemistry between IQ and EQ (emotional intelligence), we were granted an audience with Mercedes' latest big idea in crossover exploration. The Vision...

2002 Detroit Auto Show.(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... Lincoln Continental concept The public got its first look at Lincoln's Continental concept at the Los Angeles show, but the concept was virtually hidden at Detroit, tucked in a corner behind the Mercury stand far away from the press...

2002 Detroit Auto Show.(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... Infiniti G35 The U.S. and Infiniti finally get a version of the very cool Nissan Skyline sold in right-hand-drive countries. The G35 sport sedan (and future coupe version) helps Infiniti live on equal terms with Lexus and BMW in snatching...

[0] 2002 Detroit Auto Show.(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... Volvo XC90 Volvo jumps into the car-based sport/ute-station wagon fray with this seven-passenger vehicle. With a look like an S80 crossed with a BMW X5, the XC90 uses Volvo's ``cockpit forward'' design (a transversely mounted engine...

Car Board.(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... Calling a spade a spade: Despite all the hoopla over the ``newest'' market segment- the ``sports tourer,'' as some call it- a station wagon is a station wagon, no matter how you dress it up. * Lexus RX 300 Price: $43,141 Engine:...

Carrera GT confirmed.(Porsche AG will build the Carrera GT supercar)(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... Publicly confirming what we reported a month ago (AW, Dec. 17, 2001), Porsche chairman Wendelin Wiedeking announced at the Detroit show that the company will build the Carrera GT supercar. First shown at the Paris auto show in September...

More show stoppers.(latest models at auto trade shows)(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... Cadillac chose the Detroit show to unveil its edgy XLR sports car in production trim. XLR is the highly anticipated two-seat retractable-hardtop convertible based on the 1999 Evoq concept. XLR goes on sale ``sometime in 2003 as a 2004...

Offside Undo.(latest new cars and features)(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... There is anagram symmetry in listing 10 for 01. That is, 10 cars and trucks to remember from 2001. With the near 250 per annum that we drive, some stand taller in mind and heart than others do. Porsche C2. This is brutally wicked fast. Some...

Go Go Hall; If this is parity, give us some more of it.(New cars at the Detroit car show)(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... This year's Detroit show is so good, we almost dissed it. After walking the floors of Cobo Hall, we sat down to debate potential award winners and, well, there were no jaw-dropping, exceptional superstars to be found. The North American...

Hot rod birthday party; Detroit's Autorama revs up for its 50th anniversary.(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... For the automotive straight world, there's the North American International Auto Show at Detroit's Cobo Hall to kick off the year. But at Cobo a few weeks later comes an event of a decidedly different flavor for hard-core motorheads: Autorama,...

Segment buster Caddy-style.(Cadillac )(Brief Article)
January 28, 2002... Next up in the emerging ``sports tourer'' segment-aka really expensive station wagons-is The General's Cadillac division with something called SRX. (There is a method to its naming madness: Cadillac's marketing wizards say the first letter...