audi automobiles

Show enough
There's so much going on at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit that we couldn't fit it all in the cover story. This week's News is dominated by production cars introduced at Detroit, including some updates of current models.
Overwhelmed by the NAIAS? This week in Headliner we bring you a tale of the Anti-Auto Show, held the same week in Detroit, just a short bicycle ride from the real deal.
Sentra station
"We decided to do a destination product, rather than produce a car that's purchased because it's the right price," Nissan Design International chief Jerry Hirshberg told media in Detroit. audi automobiles He introduced the all-new Sentra as a compact car that drivers will want to own.
So, the North America-only 2000 Sentra is a serious "adult"-looking car, rather than something relying on a "cute gesture." (Hirshberg didn't count what he admits is a distinctively Nissan tail end.) That's a good thing, since while VW had the old Beetle to draw from, Nissan had the B-210 "Honey Bee." Besides, when the Sentra was designed and engineered, in the austere pre-Renault days at Nissan, there was no cash available for frivolity.
The new Sentra does get serious with its top engine, a 145-hp 2.0-liter I4, in the sporty SE version. It has "exceptional low- and mid-range torque," Hirshberg said. audi automobiles Other engines include a 126-hp 1.8-liter I4 for the XE and GXE, and an SULEV of the 1.8 for the Sentra CA (for "clean air").
Wagon the Aero
After a decade as half-owner, General Motors executed its option to buy the other half of Saab, and celebrated that news by unveiling the 9-5 Aero wagon. Well, actually it celebrated by announcing that Saabs are now available with OnStar, but we're tired of computers and telematics, so let's look at the hardware.
The wagon goes on sale this April, with the same 2.3-liter high-output turbo I4 as in the Aero sedan. It makes 230 hp at 5500 rpm and with the five-speed manual, 258 lb-ft of torque from 1900 to 3800 rpm. With the automatic, it develops 243 lb-ft from 1900 to 4600 rpm.
Saab hasn't announced the price yet, but said price will be structured much like that of the 9-5 Aero sedan. audi automobiles That means a base price of $39,775 plus $575 destination and the mandatory 17-inch, two-piece wheels, which cost another $1,650. In other words, it's really $42,000.
Looks like Saab has learned GM's pricing tricks already.
VX4, the third
Remember the VX02, the convertible VehiCross? The VX4, a four-door VehiCross, debuted at Detroit. To accommodate the really short rear doors, Isuzu stretched the wheelbase of the VehiCross and added a slightly more stylish interior with a phosphorescent gauge cluster.
The VX4 is officially just a concept. But the coy folks at Isuzu did mention that they can easily make a small batch of production vehicles using the same technology they use to build the VehiCross.
New topless 3
BMW was busy at the show. audi automobiles The German automaker introduced the 3 Series convertible and said the car will go on sale this spring.
Its only engine will be the 2.5-liter I6. BMW doesn't have a 0-to-60-mph estimate for us yet, but says the power top lowers in 22 seconds. ABS and Dynamic Stability Control will be standard. No prices have been announced.
While they were at it, BMW officials took the wraps off the 3.0-liter version of the X5. The six-cylinder X5 will be on sale this spring, priced in the neighborhood of $39,000.

Related Links: