2001 Preview Page 5

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The Kia Rio Concept

Starting in August, the Korean automaker begins selling what it calls the least expensive car in America. The 2001 Rio sedan is a subcompact with a subcompact price: $8,595 MSRP for a base car with manual transmission and without air conditioning. Power comes from a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that generates up to 96 horsepower. The rest of the Kia lineup, including the new Spectra, will receive some minor upgrades.

Lamborghini continues to offer a single model for the U.S. market, but if the Diablo is your single model, it's nothing to be ashamed of. The Diablo has been redone for the 2000/2001-model year (Lamborghini does not have hard model-year designations). The new Diablo sports a redesigned front fascia, a revised interior, and more power than ever before. The 6.0-liter V12 now produces a whopping 550 horsepower, which is good enough to give this road-going rocket a top speed of around 220 mph.


The 2001 Lamborghini Diablo


The Land Rover Range Rover

A number of upgrades are planned for the luxury SUV lineup of Land Rover. It is expected that the Discovery will be available in three new trim levels, and receive a number of new features. The flagship Range Rover will likely be available with only the powerful 4.6-liter V8 engine. A navigation system is expected to be added as well. And while many Land Rover enthusiasts have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of the new Freelander, it looks like it may be next summer before the small SUV arrives on American shores.

The first of two new 2001 Lexus models is already in showrooms. The IS 300 went on sale in June with a starting MSRP of $30,500. Sold in Europe and Japan as the Toyota Altezza, the IS 300 is a compact, rear-wheel drive sedan with a 3.0-liter 215-horsepower inline 6-cylinder engine. The small performance sedan is designed to go head-to-head with the BMW 3-Series. At the top end of the luxury scale is the new LS, which will be called the LS 430 to indicate its larger 4.3-liter 290-horsepower V8 engine. The 0-to-60-mph time is estimated by Lexus to be 6.2 seconds—impressive for a sedan of its size. Lexus also claims that the new flagship will provide a smoother ride as well as more advanced luxury features. One of those new features is an optional audio system by Mark Levinson, whose components are used in custom home audio systems costing $100,000 and more. Look for the LS430 to begin arriving in dealerships this fall. Next spring, watch for the first Lexus convertible, the SC 430. The two-door 2+2 coupe will have a retractable hardtop and use the same 4.3-liter V8 in the LS 430.


The 2001 Lexus LS 430


The Lincoln Blackwood

Believe it. The Lincoln name is actually going to be displayed on a pickup truck. But the Blackwood, which was unveiled in concept form in Los Angeles in 1999, will not be a typical pickup. The four-door truck will feature a lavish interior on par with other Lincolns. It's expected to be very much like the original concept. Recent news indicates that the Blackwood will not go on sale until next spring. In other Lincoln news, all of the vehicles in this luxury brand—the LS, Town Car, Continental and Navigator—will be available with telematics and communications services in 2001.

While Lotus has not confirmed it, the Esprit V8 is likely to get some minor changes to the front and rear fascias for 2001. There is also the possibility of high-intensity discharge (HID) headlights and a bigger spoiler. No other changes are expected for Lotus' single model line at this time. And while it was hoped that the Elise would be in production for the street, it remains available only for racing.


The Lotus Esprit V8