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| Buick |
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| The 2002 Buick Rendezvous)
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The big news from Buick is the brand's first
SUV. Slated as a 2002 model, the new Rendezvous is expected to go on sale in
the spring of 2001. Powered by General Motors Corp.'s long-lived 185-horsepower 3.4-liter
overhead valve V6, the Rendezvous is a sibling of the Pontiac Aztek. Both are built on the
GM minivan platform; however, the Rendezvous wheelbase will be a bit longer and styling
more mainstream than the Aztek. It will be available with seating for up to seven and
offer the Versatrak all-wheel drive system. In other news, an Olympic Edition
of the Regal will be available, which will include a number of added features and unique
exterior treatment. Park Avenue will be available with an optional Ultrasonic Rear
Parking Assist system, and LeSabre gets a number of feature upgrades. Also for 2001, OnStar
will be standard on the top trim level of each Buick model. |
| Cadillac |
| The largest Cadillac of all, the Escalade
SUV, gets a brand-new look for 2001. Front-end styling will be similar to that of the
Deville, which will further differentiate the Escalade from its GMC cousin, the Denali. In
addition, the Escalade will now be built on GM's new truck platform, which was the basis
for the new 2000 Chevrolet Suburban/Tahoe. Also for 2001, both the Seville and Deville
will be available with the new Infotainment system, which integrates the stereo
system with a navigation system and Internet connectivity. Both e-mail and limited
Web browsing will be available, with voice command systems that let drivers keep their
eyes on the road. An infrared port is also provided for communication with handheld
computer devices. Also new for the Seville is a sport package that includes
high-intensity discharge (HID) headlights, better ride control and new 17-inch alloy
wheels. |
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| The 2001 Cadillac Seville STS) |
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| Chevrolet |
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| The 2001 Chevrolet Heavy Duty Silverado) |
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After redesigning its light-duty full-size
pickup truck in 1999, Chevrolet will bring out the heavy-duty Silverado this fall.
Available in three-quarter-ton and one-ton models, these big pickups will be available
with two new engines—the Duramax 6.6-liter turbodiesel V8, and an 8.1-liter
V8. Both will be available with an all-new Allison 5-speed automatic transmission. The
diesel is considerably quieter and more fuel-efficient than its predecessor, and it boasts
300 horsepower with a whopping 520 lb-ft of torque. Also due later this year is a
high-performance version of the Corvette. The Corvette Z06 is named in honor of the
special performance 1963 Z06 Vette produced by Zora Arkus-Duntov, Corvette's first
chief engineer. The new Z06 is about 50 pounds lighter than the standard Corvette, and
gets a boost of 40 horsepower for a total of 385 horses, which move it to 60 mph in
about four seconds. Horsepower output of the LS1 V8 in the standard Corvette will increase
by five to 350. |
| Meanwhile, the Venture is updated for 2001
with an optional third-row seat that folds flat, second-row captain's chairs that fold
flat, a new in-dash 6-disc CD player, and improved ventilation and air conditioning. The
top-of-the-line Warner Bros. Edition gets a larger video screen with a sharper
picture and wireless, infrared headphones. In other news, the Avalanche heads into
production early in calendar 2001. This crossover sport ute/pickup truck features a
novel rear wall behind the second row of seats that folds down for long cargo. Chevy says
Avalanche can carry 4-by-8-foot sheets of plywood with the tailgate closed. Power on this
aggressively styled truck will come from a Vortec V8. And while rumors of the
Camaro's demise have circulated for the last few years, it appears that the venerable pony
car will see the production line for at least one more year. |
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| The Chevrolet Avalanche Show Truck |
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| Chrysler |
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| The 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser) |
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Chrysler's first 2001 model went on sale
earlier this year in the form of the PT Cruiser. The biggest hit in the auto industry
since the return of the Volkswagen Beetle, the PT Cruiser is currently sold out for
several months to come. Its popularity can largely be attributed to its unique retro-styling,
useful cargo space and a base price starting below $20,000. This fall, Chrysler
will bring out its redesigned Voyager and Town & Country minivans.
Besides a sleeker, cleaner appearance and safety improvements, they will include several
firsts: a power rear liftgate, and a center console with power that can be
relocated from between the front seats to between the second-row seats. Power increased in
each V6, with a class-leading 230 horsepower coming from a new, 3.5-liter V6 that's
due out in the middle of the 2001 model year. |
| In addition to the minivans, the redesigned Sebring
coupe, sedan (replacing the Cirrus) and convertible also go on sale this fall. Sporting a
new look similar to the larger Concorde, the Sebring trio offer new engines as well as
roomier interiors. Meantime, the Plymouth Prowler joins the Chrysler line in January 2001
when the Plymouth name is retired. |
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| The 2001 Chrysler Sebring Convertible |
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