|
| Honda |
|
| The 2001 Honda Insight |
|
|
An all-new Honda Civic is due to be
released this fall. Details are embargoed by the manufacturer until mid-September, but it
has been reported that the 2001 Civic will be larger and more powerful than its
predecessor. The hatchback is expected to be discontinued, leaving only the coupe
and sedan models. Meanwhile, the sporty S2000 will be available in a very bright Indy
Yellow this fall, and the unique Insight gas-electric hybrid, currently available
exclusively with a manual transmission, will get a Continuously Variable Transmission
(CVT) next spring. The Accord, Honda's No. 1 selling vehicle in North America, is restyled
for 2001 with a sportier look for both sedan and coupe models. Standard on all
Accords is an advanced restraint system that adjusts the deployment of the frontal
airbag for the driver, based on crash severity and seatbelt use. Accords with V6 engines
receive standard traction control for 2001, and the overall interior will be quieter. |
| Hyundai |
| A brand new SUV will be coming from the
Korean automaker this fall. Called the Santa Fe, this 4-door will be a bit smaller
than the midsize Ford Explorer. The stylish SUV is the first from the Korean company and
will be available with a powerful 181-horsepower V6. It will be available in either 2WD or
full-time 4WD. Also new this fall is the XG300 sedan. Larger than the Sonata, the
new flagship will feature a 3.0-liter 192-horsepower DOHC V6 engine, teamed with a 5-speed
automatic transmission. It will be priced around $25,000. In other news, the
Elantra has been redesigned for 2001. Both the sedan and wagon will be more refined and
feature new exterior styling. The rest of the lineup enters 2001 with minor changes. |
|
| The 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe |
|
|
| Infiniti |
|
| The 2002 Infiniti Q45 |
|
|
The luxury division of Nissan started the
2001 model year early with the introduction of a redesigned QX4 sport-utility vehicle. The
new QX4 features a restyled exterior, upgraded interior trim and a power boost
of 70 additional horses. Although it won't be out until spring 2001, Infiniti has
already provided a look at the 2002 Q45. The Q45 will feature all-new styling and a
powerful 4.5-liter V8 engine good for 340 horsepower and a 0-to-60-mph time of less
than 6 seconds. The new "Q" will get a number of luxury feature upgrades,
including a new DVD-based navigation system, a rearview video camera, and a
high-power stereo system. The rest of the Infiniti lineup gets a number of feature
upgrades, but no major changes. |
| Isuzu |
| The 2-door Amigo returned to the
Isuzu lineup in 1998 after a four-year hiatus, and for 2001 the mini suv gets a new name.
Capitalizing on the popularity of the Rodeo, the Amigo will be rebadged as the Rodeo
Sport. Meanwhile, the Trooper will be available with an Anniversary package to
celebrated Isuzu's 85th anniversary. New features will be available throughout the rest of
the Isuzu model line. |
|
| The 2001 Isuzu Rodeo Sport |
|
|
| Jaguar |
|
| The Jaguar XKR |
|
|
The 2001 XK8/XKR models are freshened
outside with front and rear styling touches. Inside, they get new sports seats and
an advanced safety system that varies frontal airbag deployment, depending on the
severity of the crash and the size of the passenger. There also will be a limited-edition Silverstone
XKR model. Meantime, the steering in the 2001 Jaguar S-TYPE is improved and new
child seat anchors are installed. |
| Jeep |
| No major changes are scheduled for the Jeep
lineup of SUVs for the 2001 model year. The Grand Cherokee will receive some upgrades to
its Laredo package, and the Cherokee and Wrangler will see a number of new
features. |
|
| The Jeep Grand Cherokee |
|
|
|