AutoWeek articles from October 2001

AutoWeek archives from October 2001

Acura MDX.(American Honda Motor Company Inc.)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... Base price: $34,370 (est.) Engine: 3.5-liter V6, 240 hp, 245 lb-ft Curb weight: 4323 lbs Drivetrain: 4wd, five-speed automatic The MDX has been a huge success for Acura since its arrival late last year. The MDX manages to blur...

Mercedes-Benz Galaendenwagen (G-Class).(sport-utility vehicle)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... Base price: $72,500 Engine: 5.0-liter V8, 292 hp, 336 lb-ft Curb weight: 5423 lbs Drivetrain: 4wd, five-speed automatic Previously only available through a specialty import company, Mercedes plans on making up to 2000 of its...

BMW X5 4.6is.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... Base price: $65,000 (est.) Engine: 4.6-liter V8, 347 hp, 354 lb-ft (Euro specs) Curb weight: 4800 lbs. (est.) Drivetrain: awd, five-speed automatic The biggest news in 2002 for BMW's X5 lineup is the addition of the...

AVALANCHE 1500/2500.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... Base price: $30,245 Engine: 5.3-liter V8, 285 hp, 325 lb-ft/8.1-liter V8, 340 hp, 455 lb-ft Curb weight (rwd/4wd): 5437 lbs/6642 lbs Drivetrain: rwd/4wd, four-speed automatic Avalanche is a four-door pickup thingamajig...

PT Cruiser.
October 1, 2001... Base price: $16,200 Engine: 2.4-liter I4, 150 hp, 162 lb-ft Curb weight: 3108 lbs Drivetrain: fwd, five-speed manual/four-speed automatic Could this be the year of the PT with power? PTs fitted with 2.4-liter turbos have been...

Daewoo U-100.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... Base price: $15,000 (est.) Engine: 2.0-liter I4, 129 hp, 130 lb-ft Curb weight: 2966 lbs Drivetrain: fwd, four-speed automatic Called the Rezzo in Korea and Tucuma in other Asian markets, Daewoo's multipurpose...

Dodge Ram 1500.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... Base price: $17,670 Engine: 3.7-liter V6, 215 hp, 235 lb-ft/4.7-liter V8, 240 hp, 295 lb-ft/5.9-liter V8, 245 hp, 335 lb-ft Curb weight: 4499 lbs Drivetrain: rwd/4wd, five-speed manual/four-speed automatic Don't look for a...

Ford Explorer.(redesigned)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... Base price: $24,800 Engine: 4.0-liter V6, 210 hp, 254 lb-ft/4.6-liter V8, 240 hp, 280 lb-ft Curb weight: 4094 lbs Drivetrain: rwd/4wd, five-speed manual/five-speed automatic The Explorer is completely redesigned for the '02...

GMX Envoy/Envoy XL.(replaces Jimmy midsize SUV)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... Base price: $29,420 Engine: 4.2-liter I6, 270 hp, 275 lb-ft Curb weight: 5550 lbs (rwd) Drivetrain: rwd/4wd, four-speed automatic The '02 Envoy replaces the Jimmy midsize SUV and features a brand-new GM powerplant and an...

Honda CR-V.(redesigned)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... Base price: $19,000 (est.) Engine: 2.4-liter I4, 160 hp, 162 lb-ft Curb weight: 3201 lbs Drivetrain: fwd/awd, five-speed manual (awd)/four-speed automatic Honda's completely redesigned entry-level SUV hits showrooms in...

Hummer H1 Wagon.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... Base price: $108,959 Engine: 6.5-liter V8 turbodiesel, 195 hp, 430 lb-ft Curb weight: 7154 lbs Drivetrain: 4wd, four-speed automatic The military-inspired Hummer gets minor changes including a reshaped passenger area console,...

Hyundai Santa Fe.(car-based compact SUV)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... Base price: $17,000 (est.) Engine: 2.4-liter I4, 149 hp, 156 lb-ft/2.7-liter V6, 181 hp, 177 lb-ft Curb weight: 3494 lbs Drivetrain: fwd/4wd, five-speed manual/four-speed automatic Introduced last year, the Santa Fe is a...

Infiniti QX4.(Nissan Pathfinder)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... Base price: $35,000 (est.) Engine: 3.5-liter V6, 240 hp, 265 lb-ft Curb weight: 4074 lbs Drivetrain: rwd/4wd, four-speed automatic Infiniti's rebadged Nissan Pathfinder, which received a more powerful engine last year, gets a...

Isuzu Motors Axiom.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... Base price: $27,145 Engine: 3.5-liter V6, 230 hp, 230 lb-ft Curb weight: 3920 lbs Drivetrain: rwd/4wd, four-speed automatic The Axiom was introduced last year as a 2002 model. It's a departure from the rest of the boxy Isuzu...

Jeep Liberty.(replaces Cherokee)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... Base price: $16,450 Engine: 2.4-liter I4, 150 hp, 165 lb-ft/3.7-liter V6, 210 hp, 235 lb-ft Curb weight: 3648 lbs Drivetrain: rwd/4wd, five-speed manual/four-speed automatic (V6 only) The Liberty is Jeep's replacement for the...

Kia Sedona.(minivan)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... Base price: $18,995 Engine: 3.5-liter V6, 195 hp, 218 lb-ft Curb weight: 4709 lbs Drivetrain: fwd, five-speed automatic Kia jumped into the minivan market this summer with the introduction of Sedona. Powered by a 195-hp dohc...

Land Rover Freelander.(sport-utility vehicle)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... Base price: $24,975 Engine: 2.5-liter V6, 175 hp, 177 lb-ft Curb weight: 3444 lbs Drivetrain: awd, five-speed automatic The best-selling sport/ute in Europe makes its way to these shores this December with 70 percent of the...

Lexus LX 470.(navigation becomes standard)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... Base price: $62,000 (est.) Engine: 4.7-liter V8, 230 hp, 320 lb-ft Curb weight: 5401 lbs Drivetrain: 4wd, four-speed automatic Lexus navigation system becomes standard. Other than that, the LX 470 remains one of the best...

Lincoln Blackwood.("luxury" utility vehicle)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... Base price: $51,785 Engine: 5.4-liter V8, 300 hp, 355 lb-ft Curb weight: 5700 lbs Drivetrain: rwd, four-speed automatic Some enterprising workers at the Michigan Truck plant wondered what would happen if they put a black...

Mazda Tribute.(sport-utility vehicle)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... Base price: $18,695 Engine: 2.0-liter I4, 130 hp, 135 lb-ft/3.0-liter V6, 200 hp, 200 lb-ft Curb weight: 3091 lbs Drivetrain: fwd/awd, five-speed manual/four-speed automatic Introduced as an '01 model, the Mazda Tribute-the...

Mercury Mountaineer.(redesigned)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... Base price: $29,330 Engine: 4.0-liter V6, 210 hp, 254 lb-ft/ 4.6-liter V8, 232 hp, 291 lb-ft Curb weight: 4200 lbs Drivetrain: rwd/awd, five-speed automatic Redesigned for '02, the Mountaineer makes an immediate styling...

Mitsubishi Montero Sport.(four-wheel-drive)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... Base price: $23,337 Engine: 3.0-liter V6, 165 hp, 186 lb-ft/3.5-liter V6, 197 hp, 223 lb-ft Curb weight: 3835 lbs Drivetrain: rwd/4wd, four-speed automatic Four-wheel-drive Montero Sports get a new system Mitsubishi calls...

Nissan Xterra.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... Base price: $17,999 Engine: 2.4-liter I4, 143 hp, 154 lb-ft/3.3-liter V6, 170 hp, 200 lb-ft/3.3-liter supercharged V6, 210 hp, 246 lb-ft Curb weight: 3570 lbs Drivetrain: rwd/4wd, five-speed manual/four-speed automatic Xterra...

Oldsmobile Bravada.(sport-utility vehicle)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... Base price: $32,235 Engine: 4.2-liter I6, 270 hp, 275 lb-ft Curb weight: 4442 lbs Drivetrain: fwd/4wd, four-speed automatic Bravada gets the all-new, all-aluminum Vortec 4200 with variable valve timing and a new electronic...

Pontiac Aztek.("sport recreation vehicle")(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... Base price: $21,000 (est.) Engine: 3.4-liter V6, 185 hp, 210 lb-ft Curb weight: 3779 lbs Drivetrain: fwd/awd, four-speed automatic Expect the '02 Aztek's price to be lower than the previous model's $21,445 when the freshened...

Porsche Cayenne.(sport utility vehicle)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... Base price: n/a Engine: 3.2-liter V6/4.5-liter V8 Curb weight: n/a Drivetrain: 4wd, transmission n/a The Cayenne SUV, the third model in the Porsche lineup, will be introduced in the fall of '02 as an '03 model. To be...

Saturn Vue.(compact sport-utility vehicle)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... Base price: $20,000 (est.) Engine: 2.2-liter I4, 138 hp, 145 lb-ft/3.0-liter V6, 181 hp, 190 lb-ft Curb weight: 3172 lbs Drivetrain: fwd/awd, five-speed manual/CVT/five-speed automatic The Vue, a compact SUV and long-awaited...

Subrau Forester.(five-passenger sport-utility vehicle)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... Base price: $20,295 Engine: 2.5-liter H4, 165 hp, 166 lb-ft Curb weight: 3140 lbs Drivetrain: awd, five-speed manual/four-speed automatic This sporty five-passenger SUV was significantly redesigned for 2001 and is in line for...

Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... Base price: $19,599 Engine: 2.7-liter V6, 183 hp, 180 lb-ft Curb weight: 3582 lbs Drivetrain: 4wd, five-speed manual Suzuki's Grand Vitara XL-7 gets a horsepower and torque boost, up from 170 to 183 hp and from 178 to 180...

Toyota Highlander.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... Base price: $24,100 (est.) Engine: 2.4-liter I4, 155 hp, 163 lb-ft/3.0-liter V6, 220 hp, 222 lb-ft Curb weight: 3485 lbs Drivetrain: fwd/4wd, four-speed automatic Highlander remains basically unchanged from its 2001 debut,...

Volkswagen Multi-Activity Car.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... Base price: n/a Engine: V8 Curb weight: n/a Drivetrain: 4wd Volkswagen's SUV (though the company is calling it a multi-activity car) will debut in '03. It's VW's version of the Porsche Cayenne, but it will have less power. We...

FACTS.(sport utility vehicle specifications from Toyota Motor Sales USA)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
October 1, 2001... MANUFACTURER'S DATA Toyota Motor Sales USA 19001 S. Western Ave., Torrance CA 90509 Customer assistance: (800) 331-4331 Internet address: www.toyota.com Country of origin: Japan Number of dealers: 1206 ...

Views and Reviews.(consumer opinions on Toyota Highlander sport utility vehicle)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... OWNERS THE HIGHLANDER PROVIDES A SMOOTH, effortless ride on the highway, and the Camry V6 delivers good acceleration. Yet on our curvy back roads, the handling is tight and responsive. Much better than I expected in an SUV. Fit-and-finish...

In Brief.(general consumer ratings on Toyota Highlander sport utility vehicle)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LIKES * High quality * Good value * Car-like ride DISLIKES * Few storage spaces * Don't expect an off-roader * Lame cupholders

Practical Excellence; Highlander unifies car, SUV, minivan.(Toyota sport utility vehicle)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
October 1, 2001... THE SMALL NICHE OF ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE SUV-like cars, created by Subaru with its Outback and Forester, has grown into a large market segment, and one of the better sellers in this segment is the Toyota Highlander. Exuding neither minivan...

The genuine article, only smaller.(Land Rover's sport utility vehicle, Freelander)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
October 1, 2001... When a 17-year-old boy led police on an hour-and-a-half chase outside Los Angeles this past July, he may have chosen the next best thing to a tank to steal if evading the men in blue was his goal. The white SUV wouldn't quit even long after all...

Trucks: Love 'em or hate 'em, clearly they're here to stay. There are more models available than ever, and here's a little sample of some we've driven lately.(product information on Ford, GMC and Dodge trucks)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
October 1, 2001... * GMC SIERRA C3 Price: $39,090 Engine: 6.0-liter V8, 325 hp, 370 lb-ft Curb weight: 5013 lbs Drivetrain: awd, four-speed automatic GMC touts its C3 as a pickup engineered for ultimate on-road performance. Indeed, 325 hp,...

Buick Rendezvous.(also, Cadillac Escalade product information)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
October 1, 2001... * Base price: $24,924 * Engine: 3.4-liter V6, 185 hp, 210 lb-ft * Curb weight: 4024 lbs * Drivetrain: fwd/awd, four-speed automatic The Rendezvous debuted this year in the shadow of its predecessor the Pontiac Aztek. Although...

Weigh Station.(trucks )(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... You've got to suspect that when Porsche-Porsche!-of all car companies decides to build a truck, and then touts it as a performance vehicle, the line between cars and trucks has become seriously blurred. Which is one way of saying it's time...

Beating the diesel drum; Better technology yields clean, efficient power-so why doesn't America care?(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... Recent advances make diesel engines quieter, cleaner and more fuel efficient than ever. Recently, near Detroit, GM, ord, DaimlerChrysler, BMW, Audi and Volkswagen rolled out passenger vehicles featuring the latest diesel technology to...

Subaru STi for you.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... Europe gets its hot Subaru Impreza WRX STi (for Subaru Technica International) in January, but U.S. customers lusting after the high(er)-performance model needn't despair. We're told the beefed-up STi will come to the States in 2003 as a 2004...

Lexus IS 300.(Brief Article)(Evaluation)
October 8, 2001... Our first quarter with the IS 300 was a pleasure, but in the car's second quarter we began to have problems-some our doing (collision), some not (ignition lock cylinder failure). Quarter three was no different: lots of repairs, lots of days out...

2002 Infiniti I35; Name change tips off better stuff under the hood.(Brief Article)
October 8, 2001... The folks at Infiniti have come upon a formula we like: Stuff a high-horsepower engine under the hood, stiffen the chassis, tune the suspension for responsive handling and then outfit the cockpit with leather and wood accents and a great sound...

Views and Reviews.(GMC Sierra C3)(Brief Article)
October 8, 2001... OWNERS We needed a vehicle capable of towing our built-up Jeep on a trailer (approximately 7000 pounds) through the mountains of Colorado. It was also important that the vehicle be useful as an everyday driver. We've owned...

Tough Luxury; C3 offers both in what could be a new truck trend.(GMC Sierra C3)(Brief Article)
October 8, 2001... If you want to see the future of the full-sized pickup, have a look at the GMC Sierra C3. Like its SUV and minivan cousins, the standard, garden-variety pickup is getting more car-like with every model year. Look closely at the C3, for...

FACTS.(General Motors Corp. GMC Truck Division)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
October 8, 2001... MANUFACTURER'S DATA GMC Truck Division, General Motors Corp. 100 Renaissance Center, Detroit MI 48265 Customer assistance: (800) 462-8782 Internet address: www.gmc.com Country of origin: United States Number of...

ROAD TEST DATA.(Brief Article)(Illustration)
October 8, 2001... STANDING-START ACCELERATION 0-30 mph: 2.73 sec 0-40 mph: 3.94 sec 0-50 mph: 5.73 sec 0-60 mph: 7.88 sec 0-100 km/h (62.1 mph): 8.29 sec 0-80 mph: 13.37 sec 0-quarter-mile: 84.8 mph, 15.96 sec ...

PRICING.(IntelliChoice)(Brief Article)
October 8, 2001... Base: $38,370 As tested: $39,090 IntelliChoice target price: $36,485 Rebates: None Destination charge: $720 What owners paid; average: $32,500 t0 $39,025; $35,286 Options as tested: Standard equipment package,...

IN BRIEF.(GMC SIERRA C3)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
October 8, 2001... GMC SIERRA C3 LIKES Luxury, luxury, luxury! Plenty of real truck attributes Big, powerful engine DISLIKES Still rides, handles like a truck You pay for all that luxury Few options; take it or leave it ...

In times of confusion and angst, a little escape-real or imagined-does a body and mind some good.(Chevrolet Corvette, Ford Thunderbird, Mercedes-Benz CL55 AMG)(Brief Article)
October 8, 2001... * Chevrolet CORVETTE Z06 Price: $48,970 Engine: 5.7-liter V8, 385 hp, 385 lb-ft Curb weight: 3115 lbs Drivetrain: rwd, six-speed manual How often have you thought about calling in sick, packing a duffel, lacing up your...

Whither the supercar?; Think the battered economy might shelve your favorite high-end car? Think again.(Brief Article)
October 8, 2001... Just a few weeks ago at the Frankfurt motor show, all was right with the world-at least the world at the high end of the automotive spectrum. As Lamborghini's sharp-edged Diablo replacement Murcielago was making its worldwide debut, other...

So whaddya doin' between now and, say, Thanksgiving?(Buick Motor Div. sponsors Inca Trail 4x4 Adventure Drive)(Brief Article)
October 8, 2001... Piloting a Buick Rendezvous through South America ought to be a piece of cake for Pat Brooks, considering his last rally took him around the world. ``That one took us within 20 miles of the Afghanistan border,'' said Brooks. ``I don't...

NASCAR's Black Boxes; Gary Nelson says all in due time; critics say not soon enough.(Brief Article)
October 8, 2001... True to form-in its own time and way, and with stony disregard for criticism-NASCAR addresses its safety issues. At Dover, in three divisions including Winston Cup, ``black boxes'' were quietly tested in competition for the first time. ``Seven...

Competition This Week.(Toyota Motor Corp. will not continue to supply engines to CART program)
October 8, 2001... Toyota drops CART program * Foot-dragging has cost CART one of its wealthiest patrons: Auto industry giant Toyota announced it will not supply engines to CART in 2003. While the company left the door cracked regarding a return to CART in...

Porsche Cayenne in the desert.(Brief Article)
October 8, 2001... Although Porsche's future off-roader has ceased to be a secret for quite a long time, test drivers still take actions to prevent spy photographers from shooting the shy prey. Seen here during hot-weather testing in the Arizona desert, a lot of...

Competition This Week: October 8, 2001.(Toyota Motor Corp. to stop supplying engines for CART)(Brief Article)
October 8, 2001... Every time CART turns around there's more trouble: The latest? Engine supplier Toyota is dropping the series, choosing instead to concentrate on the Indy Racing League, as well as getting its Formula One program up and running. CART also lost...

The News: October 8, 2001.(General Motors Corp. Camaro and Firebird)(Brief Article)
October 8, 2001... World financial markets have been jittery since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, but high-end carmakers say they're continuing with plans for their next cubic-dollar cars (Headliner, page 6). Two nameplates that won't make a return are the GM...

Thumb Thing Wild; Strap on your sofa and fire up the PlayStation 2: Gran Turismo 3 is license to thrill.(Brief Article)(Evaluation)
October 8, 2001... The official slogan of Gran Turismo 3, ``The Drive of Your Life,'' could use a slight modification. Something like ``The Drive That Costs You a Life's Worth of Free Time'' is probably more appropriate considering how much couch-seat time Gran...

Jaundiced Eye.
October 15, 2001... Simple question: How dare we? Given all the expertise and all the exhaustive research and conscientious effort to find the truth in the matter of Dale Earnhardt's death, what on earth possesses us to question NASCAR's conclusion that it's...

Still Loving You; The Civic Si lives up to fond memories of Honda's hot hatch.(Brief Article)
October 15, 2001... ``We're going to rock you like a hurricaaaane!'' With that, we left the medieval walls of Rothenburg, Germany, and pointed the nose of our black 2002 Honda Civic Si in the direction of Autobahn 9, three 29-year-olds 4000 miles from home and...

Results: Houston.(car racing)(Brief Article)
October 15, 2001... 527-mile temporary street course Oct. 7 1. Gil de Ferran, Reynard-Honda, 100 laps at 79.521 mph avg. speed; 2. Dario Franchitti, Reynard-Honda, 100; 3. Memo Gidley, Lola-Toyota, 100; 4. Toranosuke Takagi, Reynard-Toyota, 100; 5. Helio...

Results: Texas Motor Speedway.(car racing)(Brief Article)
October 15, 2001... 1.5-mile oval Oct. 6 1. Sam Hornish Jr., Dallara-Oldsmobile, 200 laps at 168.523 mph avg. speed; 2. Scott Sharp, Dallara-Oldsmobile, 200; 3. Robbie Buhl, G Force-Infiniti, 200; 4. Eliseo Salazar, Dallara-Oldsmobile, 200; 5. Rick...

Results: Lowe's Motor Speedway.(car racing)(Brief Article)
October 15, 2001... 1.5-mile oval Oct. 7 1. Sterling Marlin, Dodge, 334 laps at 139.006 mph avg. speed; 2. Tony Stewart, Pontiac, 334; 3. Ward Burton, Dodge, 334; 4. Dale Earnhardt Jr., Chevrolet, 334; 5. Jeff Burton, Ford, 334; 6. Dale Jarrett, Ford,...

The Future.
October 15, 2001... Dec. 18 Ferrari Auction Gstaad, Switzerland This Bonhams and Brooks event will be held at the Palace Hotel, featuring Ferrari cars and automobilia. For more information, visit www.bonhams.com. If you would like your vintage,...

When candy corn and pumpkins start making their way onto store shelves, it's time to take the summer toys out for one last fling. Or two. Or three...(sports cars discussed)(Brief Article)
October 15, 2001... * Toyota MR2 SPYDER Price: $24,040 Engine: 1.8-liter I4, 138 hp, 125 lb-ft Curb weight: 2195 lbs Drivetrain: rwd, five-speed manual Toyota's itsy-bitsy spyder offers a fun alternative to the perennial two-seat favorite,...

Competition This Week.(car racing)(Brief Article)
October 15, 2001... Starting trouble * As fallout from CART's new engine formula settled (page 43), another problem was brewing that is potentially as divisive: This one involves race teams-CART's heart, soul and core product-even more directly. The...

What about Bob?; Lutz memo starts stirring things up at General Motors.(car racing)(Brief Article)
October 15, 2001... Focus groups? Overused and not reliable. Design? Undervalued and ``corporate criteria-ed to death.'' Content? Not at the expense of profit or shareholder value. So says Robert Lutz, freshly anointed product czar at General Motors, in a widely...

The Race Report: Texaco-Havoline Grand Prix of Houston.(car racing)(Brief Article)
October 15, 2001... Even before the start, Houston was shaping up as a less-than-scintillating show. Half-a-second a lap is a light year in CART, and pole winner Gil de Ferran qualified half-a-second faster than second on the grid. Between the hard walls lining...

Thriller ; IRL drivers record the closest finish in league history.(car racing)(Brief Article)
October 15, 2001... Scott Sharp was leading Saturday's Chevy 500, the Indy Racing League's season-ending race at Texas Motor Speedway, on the last lap when he realized he had a problem. Second-place Sam Hornish Jr. was flanking his right side only a half-car back....

Competition This Week: October 15, 2001.(car racing)(Brief Article)
October 15, 2001... The American Le Mans Series season closed out with the 1000-mile Petit Le Mans race at Road Atlanta, where Emanuele Pirro and Frank Biela led most of the last five hours and cruised to a three-lap win. With the win, Pirro clinched the 2001...

Losing Credibility; With its new engine formula, CART might have dealt itself the fatal blow.
October 15, 2001... At a meeting before the Houston race, Championship Auto Racing Teams' franchise board (its team owners) approved a copy of the IRL's 3.5-liter normally aspirated V8 for the start of the 2003 season. Result? Instead of retaining its three...

Coyote Ugly ; Charlotte Motor Speedway's-oops, Lowe's-fall race was less than NASCAR perfect. Except to Sterling Marlin.(car racing)(Brief Article)
October 15, 2001... Charlotte was a full-bodied mess. No way around it, the UAW-GM Quality 500 weekend was ugly. It began with Thursday night's death of Blaise Alexander (see page 36), included a spat between NBC and track operator Humpy Wheeler, extended through...

Mercedes' next SLK.(roadster being developed)(Brief Article)
October 15, 2001... Mercedes may have wowed the crowds at Frankfurt with its new SL500 two-seater, but the company is not resting on its laurels. Engineers are pressing on with development of the SL's little brother, the 2004 SLK roadster, complete with a folding...

On the muscle.(Jaguar XKR-R)(Brief Article)
October 15, 2001... Here's the official company line: The Jaguar XKR-R (aka the XKR+, see AW, Cover Story, May 21) is a one-off special built by SVO in the United Kingdom as a toy/testbed. It's an XKR with a 400-hp engine (vs. 370 stock), six-speed Getrag manual...

Miss Jellinek's motorcar; Museum of Transportation celebrates Mercedes centennial.(Brief Article)
October 15, 2001... What city do you choose for the American celebration of the centenary of the naming of a German car after the daughter of an Austrian-born French dealer? Can you say Boston? It's not certain that Emil Jellinek ever went to Massachusetts, but...

No Aztek ; Buick builds it better.(Buick Rendezvous)(Brief Article)
October 22, 2001... YES, THE RENDEZVOUS SHARES A PLATform with Pontiac's much-maligned Aztek. But never have two GM relatives been so different. And not for a long while has a Buick been this-should we say it?-good. Our staff universally liked the Rendezvous'...

When Too Much is Not Enough; BMW's new flagship has everything, and more.(BMW 7 Series)
October 22, 2001... Can a car have too much stuff on it? The new BMW 7 Series has more sheer ``stuff'' than possibly any car ever made outside of a laboratory, and most of it you can't help but like. The new powertrain and suspension systems, for instance, are...

Offside Undo.(Mazda Raceway at Laguna Seca wants more money from Steve Earle)(Brief Article)(Editorial)
October 22, 2001... Steve Earle, founder and nurturer of the Monterey Historic Automobile Races, is one of us enthusiasts. And Earle is under siege. You have read for the past several weeks that the management of Mazda Raceway at Laguna Seca is putting the...

No more 92; Premium octane rating drops in California.(Brief Article)
October 22, 2001... While it's hardly news compared to rolling blackouts, Californians are now dealing with another energy crisis: In August, the octane rating of premium gasoline in the state quietly dropped from 92 to 91. For many, the drop in octane...

Driving Impressions: Full of Tricks; But is it enough?(Chevrolet Avalanche)(Brief Article)
October 22, 2001... The idea is a good one-take the best attributes of an SUV and a pickup, combine the two into one vehicle, and market it as a UUV, or Ultimate Utility Vehicle. Simple, right? Well, sort of. The 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche manages to combine seating...

Car Board.(new autos)(Brief Article)
October 22, 2001... Sweetest Day: a non-holiday fabricated by card companies and flower growers to make some extra cash. But forget it and you could be paying the piper. * Dodge NEON R/T Price: $17,795 Engine: 2.0-liter I4, 150 hp, 135 lb-ft ...

Honda Exits CART ; And CART prepares for retrenchment.(Brief Article)
October 22, 2001... Before CART's Laguna Seca weekend got in full swing, the question singed the air: What is going to make the CART cars go? And more importantly: Where does CART go from here? Surprising no one, Honda announced that 2002 would be its last...

Zoom-zoom this.(Mazda midsize auto)(Brief Article)
October 22, 2001... In a Tokyo motor show debut intended to be heard 'round the world, Mazda's next-generation front-wheel-drive midsize car will be built on an all-new platform developed to compete with the best from Germany and Japan. U.S. sales for the 626...

The News.(Mercedes-Benz, Chevrolet cars)(Brief Article)
October 22, 2001... Carving the curves Mercedes-Benz is taking inspiration from the skiing world for its latest concept, the F400 Carving. Slated to debut at the Tokyo motor show, the radical two-seater showcases an advanced tilting suspension system that...