2001 Preview Page 3

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The 2001 Daewoo Leganza)

A number of upgrades and minor changes will take place for Daewoo in the new model year. The Lanos will be available as a new hatchback Sport model, which will feature a rear spoiler and body color side skirts. The Nubira Wagon will get new taillight treatments, and the Leganza adds new features and colors. While there had been talk that the new Korando SUV, shown at the NAIAS 2000, would be coming to market shortly, it now appears the small, Jeep-like vehicle will be a 2002 model.

An all-new Caravan will be gracing Dodge showrooms this fall. The newest generation of the best-selling minivan in America is restyled with sleeker looks, and will be the class leader in horsepower, thanks to a new 230-horse 3.5-liter V6 engine. Other V6s in the Caravan lineup get improved power, too, and new features include an industry-first power rear liftgate and a removable center console with power. In addition to the Caravan, the Stratus will arrive this fall sporting an all-new look. Stratus will be available as a sedan or coupe, with the coupe replacing the current Avenger. A high-performance Stratus R/T coupe will feature a 200-horsepower V6 engine and 17-inch alloy wheels. Also available in R/T trim is the compact Neon sedan. The sporty Neon features a 150-horsepower engine, unique interior and exterior décor and larger alloy wheels.


The 2001 Dodge Caravan)


The Ferrari 360 Modena Spider

The only thing getting buyers to take their names off the waiting list for the new Ferrari 360 Modena is the upcoming 360 Modena Spider. Due to arrive in North America in January, the newest Ferrari will sport the same 400-horsepower V8 as its hardtop sibling. Farther down the pipeline is a topless version of the 550 Maranello. Ferrari hints it would be more of a roadster than a conventional convertible and, of course, built in very limited numbers. No decision has been made about any open-top 550s finding their way to North American shores.

Ford put its first 2001 models on the road this past spring with the release of the new Explorer Sport Trac. Adding a new twist to the SUV, the Sport Trac combines typical SUV seating for five with a pickup truck bed. Along with the Sport Trac, a redesigned 2-door Explorer Sport has already been released. If the Sport Trac does not provide enough cargo capacity, perhaps the 2001 F-150 SuperCrew does. The newest iteration of the best-selling vehicle in America is the industry's first full-size, light-duty crew cab on the market. Four full-size, forward-hinged doors provide easy passenger access, and cargo capacity is that of a short-bed F-150.


The 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac


The 2001 Ford Escape

Meanwhile, on sale this summer is Ford's newest SUV, the Escape. Smaller than the Explorer, Escape is available with front- or four-wheel-drive and can be equipped with a powerful 200-horsepower V6 engine. The Ford Ranger compact pickup gets restyled this year and gets a new 4-liter V6. A Ranger Edge series, geared towards younger buyers, will also be available. In other news, the Windstar minivan adds several firsts in the 2001 model year. It will be the first minivan with power-adjustable pedals, side-door-open warning strobes and a stability control system. And while there were rumors that the long-awaited Thunderbird would be out this fall, its arrival is slated for summer 2001. The new T-Bird will be a 2002 model.

Arriving in dealerships this fall are the all-new heavy duty Sierras, available in ¾-ton (2500) and 1-ton (3500) models. A considerable improvement over the ten-year-old designs they replace, the models sport two new powertrains. The 8.1-liter gasoline V8, the largest in the class, produces 340 horsepower, and for real stump-pulling power, the 6.6-liter Duramax turbodiesel V8 makes 520 lb-ft of torque. Both are available with an all-new Allison 5-speed automatic transmission. Also coming this fall will be a redesigned Yukon Denali. The luxury SUV will now be built on the new truck platform, with styling designed to further separate it from the rest of the Yukon lineup. Rounding out the GMC line will be the C3 sport truck. The C3 will feature all-wheel drive, an extended cab, and a 6.0-liter V8 tuned to deliver 325-horsepower and 370 lb-ft of torque at a low 1600 rpm. Note that the Jimmy name will no longer be used once production of the 2002 GMC Envoy begins in January. GMC's compact sport ute will be longer and wider than the outgoing model and feature more car-like ride and handling. Power will come from a new 4.2-liter 6-cylinder engine.


The 2001 GMC Sierra C3 (click photo to enlarge)