The Alexandria Times-Tribune from Alexandria, Indiana • Page 15

EM jvJ Lsuu a raw UJ RE CTO RV IBs (yp-A Wednesday, October 16, 2002 aSTribune Alexandria Times-Tribune Supplement to 2003 Chevrolet Monte 2003 Oldsmoblle Bravada 7 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer Car makers offer many new models for 2003 Carlo duction. Chrysler's PT Cruiser and Dodge Neon come with tur-bocharged engines, and even the Honda Accord has higher-horsepower four- and six-cylinder engines now. Here are details: Acura For the 2003 model year, Acura upgrades the performance of two models. The CL Type-S coupe adds a close-ratio, six-speed manual transmission to go with its 260-horsepower engine. Acura's sport utility vehicle, the MDX, gets a horsepower boost from 240 to 260 and a new five-speed automatic transmission.

The MDX also receives Vehicle Stability Assist for better control during acceleration, cornering and accident avoidance maneuvers. There's also a new optional DVD rear entertainment system offered with this model. Aston Martin A standard, audio system in the new V1 2 Vanquish comes by way of British hi-fi company Linn, with all 13 speakers developed exclusively for Vanquish. The 2003 DB7 Vantage has new headlight bulbs, providing a 28 percent improvement in light output, as well as some minor styling updates such as a new grille. Audi 4ft Audi's newest model is a convertible with room for four adults.

The 2003 A4 Cabriolet is part of the A4 family, with its compact size and flared wheel arches. But this is the only A4 with a triple-layered, padded power roof that folds up or down In 24 seconds. The A4 Cabrto arrives with a 220-horsepower, 3-liter V-6. but T- 1 Jr mid-year, a 170-horspower, 1.8-liter, turbocharged is added. Audi's TT coupe and roadster have a redesigned grille and upgraded Bose audio.

During the first quarter of 2003, the TTs will be available with a six-speed automatic. Bentley Replacing the Amage Red Label, the new Amage is a performance grand saloon using the same twiri-turbocharged engine as the sporting Amage T. But the Amage R's 6.75-liter V-8 is recalibrated for a refined yet strong 400 horsepower and 616 foot-: pounds of torque at 3,250 rpm. BMW The BMW 23 is no more. Production of BMWs most popular roadster ended June 28.

The car that debuted in the James Bond flick GoldenEye in 1995 is being replaced by the BMW Z4, a new designation for 2003 meant to highlight just how much is changed from the Z3 two-seater. The body of the Z4 roadster is newly styled, and the soft top can be had with automatic operation that ensures it will go down or up in about 10 seconds. Riding on a modified 3-Series suspension, the Z4 roadster 3.0i comes with a 225-horsepower, 3-liter inline six-cylinder, while the Z4 roadster 2.51 has a 184-horsepower, 2.5-liter inline six-cylinder. The navigation system is upgraded to use DVDs in all 3- and 5-Series cars, and rear head protection system becomes standard on all X5s, all 7-Series cars, and many 5-Series models. Buick Marking Its 1 00th year In 2003, Buick plans to produce about 10,000 LeSabre Celebration Edi tec 6000 6-liter V-8.

Also adding power in 2003 is Chevy's TrailBlazer EXT, which will be available for the first time with a V-8. The Vortec 5300 5.3-liter V-8's peak horsepower is 290 in the TrailBlazer, and towing capacity rises to 7,200 pounds. Chevy's much-anticipated SSR (Super Sport Roadster) is due mid-model year. With retro styling and a retractable, two-piece hardtop, the SSR is powered by a 5.3-liter, small-block V-8. The Corvette marks its 50th year with an anniversary edition that includes, among other things, special wheels and a custom exterior paint called Anniversary Red.

The Cavalier gets its most noticeable styling update in years with new front and rear fascias, lights and hood. The 140-horse-power 2.2-liter Ecotec four-cylinder engine that debuted for 2002 becomes standard in all Cavaliers for 2003. Chrysler The Chrysler PT Cruiser gets a turbocharged, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine in 2003, boosting horsepower from 150 to 215. Torque goes from 162 footpounds at 4,000 rpm to 245 footpounds at 3,600 rpm. The new PT Cruiser Turbo model also has a specially tuned suspension and performance-tuned exhaust system.

The Sebring Coupe is updated this model year, with new front and rear styling and a new Instrument panel. The" 300M becomes the first Chrysler to offer factory-installed Sirius satellite radio, and the Town Country adds new features such as a power sunroof. Dodge Newly styled and newly pow ered, the 2003 Dodge Viper SRT-1 0 delivers 500 horsepower and 525 foot-pounds of perfor-, mance. Its 0-to-60-mph rating is less than 4 seconds. It's still a two-seat convertible, but the Viper now has a wheel-base that's lengthened by 2.6 inches.

Dodge brings the extensive model changes from the 2002 Ram to the 2003 heavy-duty Rams. They include styling updates and new powerplants. Specifically, the 345-horsepower, 5.7-liter HEMI Magnum gasoline V-8 is new, and it provides more power than any other standard V-8, according to Dodge. Exterior and interior of the Neon and Stratus coupe and se- dan are revamped. In December, a souped-up Neon arrives.

Called the SRT-4, it's powered by a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 215 horsepower and 245 foot-pounds of torque. Ford More power choices dominate the news at Ford for 2003. The Ford Focus adds another SVT choice, for example. The 2003 SVT Focus five-door is based on the Focus ZX5 body but has a powertrain that includes a 2-liter Zetec four-cylinder engine whose standard 130 horses have been boosted to 1 70. A six-speed manual transmission is standard.

Until now, the only SVT version of Focus was a three-door model. More power also comes to the Mustang line. A limited number of Mustang Mach 1 models, with "shaker scoops" on the hood, will come out in the 2008 model, featuring a 4.6-liter V-8 capable of more than 300 horsepower. A 390-horsepower SVT Mustang Pleas set models on page ffvt tions in the new model year. The cars will have exterior and interior changes and standard OnStar, StabiliTrak and head-up displays.

The supercharged Park Avenue is restyled with three portholes in each fender, 17-inch chrome wheels and a prominent grille. Cadillac The big news at General Motors luxury brand is the debut of the 2003 Escalade ESV, the largest full-size luxury SUV available and the largest Cadillac over. Built on the Chevrolet Suburban platform, the ESV has the big chrome grille of the Escalade SUV and Escalade EXT, all-wheel drive and a luxury interior. Power comes from the same 345-horsepower, 6-liter V-8 that's in the Escalade and Escalade EXT. The Cadillac Seville for 2003 debuts the next-generation Magnetic Ride Control.

The system uses magneto-rheological fluid in the shocks and struts to provide improved bpdy and wheel motion. Chevrolet Just four years after the 1 999 debut of the full-size Silverado pickup, it's undergoing a mild restyling inside and out, with new grille, headlamps, hood and seats among the items changing. There also are 40 new fea-i tures available, including the expanded availability of the Quad-rasteer four-wheel steering system and new entertainment systems. An SS (Super Sport) version of Silverado will debut later in the model year, wearing a monochrome exterior, the Silverado's largest-ever wheels 20-in-chers and powered by a Vor- More engine power and lots of special features characterize the newest cars, sport utility vehicles, vans and trucks being marketed by automakers for the 2003 model year. Sophisticated sound systems are a hot trend this year, as satellite radio proliferates, giving more travelers the newest selection of premium and in some cases, commercial-free audio entertainment that can't be found anywhere else.

"We're doing for radio what cable did for television," said Charles Robbins, director of corporate affairs for XM Satellite Radio, one of two main satellite dio companies. "We want people to say, 'Remember when there was just AM and Prominent audio names like HarmanKardon appear in more 2003 vehicles, and DVD entertainment systems for back-seat riders are expected to continue to grow in popularity. Safety features make gains, too. Starting this fall, Mercedes-Benz puts new electronic brakes on its 2003 E-Class sedans. "It's the first mass-production application of electronic brakes in the auto industry," company spokesman Fred Heiler said, noting e-brakes debuted in the spring on the low-volume, 2003 Mercedes SL roadster.

The brakes are designed to provide faster, more secure brake response. But even buyers of lower-priced vehicles get improved safety this year. Kia's new Sorento SUV arrives with standard head curtain air bags, for example. Engine power is on an upswing: V-8s are offered for the first time on Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT and GMC Envoy XL this year, and Ford puts a powerful Mustang Mach 1 into limited pro.