A Guide to the ‘01s and Beyond

Acura

New: The MDX crossover vehicle--which replaces the Isuzu Trooper-based SLX--and CL coupe add needed depth and breadth to Honda Motor Co.’s luxury division.

The MDX is Acura’s answer to the Lexus RX 300, and it is bigger and more powerful. Underneath its sport-utility styling, the MDX uses the Honda Odyssey minivan platform and offers the same third row of seats that tuck neatly and flatly into the floor when not in use. It also uses the Odyssey’s 3.5-liter V-6 engine, but output has been goosed to 240 horsepower, up from 210 in the Honda.

Despite the added pep, the MDX is rated as an ultra-low-emissions vehicle, or ULEV. It uses a full-time all-wheel-drive system that keeps power at the front wheels unless it senses a loss of traction or when it is locked into a roughly 50-50 power split via a dashboard-mounted switch.

As with most SUV-like car-truck blends, this is really a station wagon for the wagon-averse and, except for the occasional trip down a gravel- or snow-covered path to the cabin in the woods, it should not be pressed into off-road service. Prices range from about $34,000 to $39,000.

The 2001 CL coupe was actually launched in the spring. It features a 3.2-liter, 225-horsepower V-6. Base price is about $28,000, and there’s an optional 260-horse version, the 3.2CL Type S, for those willing to part with another five grand. All CLs have leather; power doors, windows, seats and sunroof; security system; and traction control. An in-dash navigation system is an option. In addition to the more-powerful engine, the extra cash for the Type S gets you bigger tires and wheels (17-inch versus the stock 16-inch rims) and a stability control system--fancy name for yaw control designed to keep the front and rear tires heading in the same direction as you use the additional ponies to pull the front-wheel drive coupe through curves and around corners.

Changes: The NSX sports car gets a 3.2-liter V-6 with 290 horsepower, up from 252 in the current 3.0-liter model.

The Rest: No other changes in the Acura lineup for this model year. The TL sedan was updated for 2000 and the rest get dealt with next year.

In the Wings: A new Integra (after three years of no changes); a possible major restyling of the NSX; and a rear-wheel-drive RL sedan with V-8 power.

Aston Martin

In the Wings: Last year we gently suggested that Cmdr. James Bond may have made the switch to BMW a bit too quickly. Now we can say so without equivocation. Aston Martin follows last year’s new 420-horsepower V-12 engine with a $250,000-plus super car, the Vanquish. The leather-lined coupe, due out as a 2002 model, boosts power in the all-aluminum V-12 to 450 horses for a top speed, electronically capped by the spoilsports at the factory, at 190 mph. Can you say zero to 60 in four seconds?

Spy boss “M” might quibble about the price, but Agent 007 could get out of trouble half a second quicker in this devilishly attractive coupe than in the $130,000 BMW Z8. And at least Aston Martin--even if now part of Ford Motor Co.’s luxury brand division--is a British marque.

The Rest: The DB7 Vantage and its sibling, the DB7 Volante convertible, are unchanged for 2001.

Audi

New: Can this be considered reverse engineering? After 20 years of offering an all-wheel-drive system on its cars, Audi is finally leaving the pavement with its own version of the crossover SUV. As would be expected from this company, the new Allroad Quattro is more than an elevated station wagon. Incorporating a height-adjustable pneumatic suspension, this “sports-activity wagon” can scale hills with the ground clearance of a Land Rover Discovery or crouch down to a pavement-hugging 5.6 inches.

Power for this rough-and-ready wagon comes in the form of the Audi A6’s 2.7-liter, 250-horsepower twin-turbocharged V-6 engine. Equipped with either a six-speed manual transmission or a Tiptronic five-speed automatic, the Allroad Quattro crosses the terrain on 17-inch, five-spoke wheels shod with specially designed tires. Prices start above $42,000.

On the lighter side, Audi has chopped the top off its popular TT coupe to create the 2001 TT roadster. When equipped with the optional 1.8-liter, 225-horsepower turbocharged inline-4 engine, both drop-top and coupe receive Audi’s six-speed transmission coupled to the famed Quattro all-wheel-drive system.

For those soccer parents always late to the stadium, Audi offers the S4 Avant, a 250-horsepower wagon (there’s that 2.7-liter twin-turbo V-6 again) that also comes equipped with all-wheel-drive.

To the top of the lineup, Audi adds the S8 sedan with a high-performance 4.2-liter, 360-horse V-8 engine powering, you guessed it, the Quattro system. But the premiums do not stop there. The S8 also receives four-piston aluminum brake calipers over ventilated discs surrounded by massive 18-inch alloy wheels.

The Rest: The A4 and A4 Avant get 20-horsepower increases to 170 horses but still manage to earn classification as ultra-low-emissions vehicles. Except for a few interior highlights, such as a multi-functional steering wheel, the A6 and A8 cars ride on last year’s accolades.

Bentley

Worth Noting: As English as Yorkshire pudding and the Queen Mum, Bentley continues to run fender to fender with its sibling, Rolls-Royce, in offering the most luxurious cars to cross the Pond.

Although there is nothing significantly new for 2001, these rolling behemoths continue to make a distinct impression even on Rodeo Drive. Beyond elegance, the Bentley R Mulliner rattles a saber against Victorian etiquette with an impressive 5.7-second sprint from zero to 60 mph. Fired by a 420-horsepower turbocharged V-8, the massive sedan can reach a top speed of 170 mph.

BMW

New: Given that engine displacement plays an important part in distinguishing BMW models, the introduction of two new straight-6 power plants expands the lineup for ’01.

For the 3-Series, the 323i receives a new 2.5-liter engine and becomes the 325i sedan, coupe, convertible and sport wagon. The 328i becomes the 330i as the 2.8-liter is exchanged for a new 3.0-liter engine. The 330i, offered as a sedan, coupe or convertible, has 225 horsepower on tap, up from last year’s 193. Optional on all 3-Series sedans and sports wagons is BMW’s all-wheel-drive system.

The new power plants also find their way under the bonnets of the Z3 cars, the roadster upgrading with the 2.5-liter and 3.0-liter engines, the coupe getting the 3.0. In all the Z cars, the four-speed automatic transmission option gives way to the five-speed Steptronic unit.

The 5-Series cars gain the new engines and thus new model designations as well. Last year’s 528i is split, becoming a new entry-level 525i model and an upscale 530i. The 525i is offered both as a sedan and a sport wagon.

BMW’s high-performance M3 coupe returns with a 3.2-liter, 333-horsepower inline-6 engine with a six-speed manual transmission that can rocket the car from zero to 60 mph in less than five seconds. New styling gives the M3 a more aggressive air, with a new front spoiler and broader fender flares to accommodate 18-inch alloy wheels.

The Rest: The impressive 540i cars continue to rumble along pretty much unchanged, except for subtle cosmetic enhancements. A no-cost option for the top-of-the-line 7-Series is a run-flat wheel-tire system that incorporates a deflation-warning system. Also standard on the 7-Series is an integrated hands-free digital phone system.

The new-for-2000 X5 4.4i and 3.0i “sports-activity vehicles”--SUVs to you and me--carry on in last year’s guise.

In the Wings: The upcoming Z-based M roadster and coupe are slated for substantial performance upgrades in the engine department. Rumors have it that BMW is also planning to expand its SUV line with a small off-roader called the X3 and the X5L, a lengthened version of the X5.

Buick

Changes: The Regal gets a limited-production Olympic Edition to commemorate the Sydney Games; TV viewers may have seen Tiger Woods driving one in commercials this summer. The car sports a USA logo with the five Olympic rings on the taillights and floor mats, and has interior touches by fashion designer Joseph Abboud. The Regal also gets an interior trunk-release handle so people don’t accidentally get locked inside.

The Park Avenue gets optional rear parking assist based on ultrasound beams emitted by four sensors. A Park Avenue Ultra model will go on sale in mid-model year with two-tone interior and walnut touches on the dashboard and doors.

The Rest: Buick’s top seller, the Century, gets the interior trunk-release handle as well, while the LeSabre, which was completely redesigned last year, gets dual-stage air bags, which deploy less forcefully in lower-speed collisions, as standard equipment.

In the Wings: Buick’s most radical vehicle in decades will appear in showrooms by late spring. The Rendezvous is due as an ’02 model and is the upscale cousin of the oft-maligned Pontiac Aztek, but its more elegant, less edgy styling will prove to be a much safer attempt by GM to push the design envelope, as well as take Buick in a direction away from plush sedans.

Built off GM’s minivan platform, the Rendezvous is a crossover minivan-SUV, though more the former than the latter. The Rendezvous targets buyers in their 50s--helping to lower the brand’s current mid-60s demographic--with an income of about $75,000 and preteen or teenage children. It offers large cargo space; an optional fold-flat third row of seats that the Aztek lacks, bringing seating capacity to seven; and more luxurious interior appointments than the functional, tailgate-party-oriented Pontiac. The Rendezvous has the same 3.4-liter, 185-horsepower V-6 engine as the Aztek, but will have GM’s Versatrak all-wheel-drive system available from the start.

Cadillac

Worth Noting: All Cadillacs will benefit from OnStar’s new Virtual Adviser system, though not until midway through ’01 production. Virtual Adviser will provide hands-free telephone calling and Internet connectivity that will download sports, stock market and news headlines and read them back to drivers.

Changes: The Catera, Cadillac’s entry-level sedan, gets some minor retouching for ’01 but won’t see a redesign until early ‘02, when production is likely to shift from Germany to the U.S. The Seville sports a number of new options: high-intensity headlights, 17-inch chrome wheels and something of interest in this time of tire recalls and inflation pressure questions: a tire pressure monitor.

The DeVille, fresh off its major restyling for the ’00 model year, offers minor updates similar to the Seville’s.

The Rest: The Eldorado, the only American luxury two-door, holds over from 2000.

In the Wings: The Escalade, Cadillac’s luxury sport-utility vehicle, is being redesigned from the ground up for ‘02, but Cadillac wants it on the market fast and plans to put it on sale in January. The new version boasts renewed power--a 285-horsepower V-8 Vortec engine in the rear-wheel-drive model and a 345-horse Vortec, along with a new heavy-duty suspension, in the all-wheel-drive model.

The Escalade also gets rear parking assist, a one-piece lightweight lift gate and a standard third row of seats that brings passenger capacity to eight. In a badging milestone--and these things matter to marketers--the Escalade will be the first Cadillac to wear the brand’s new wreath-and-crest logo.

Farther over the horizon: Caddy’s brooding, Stealth-like Evoq roadster, coming in ’02 as an ’03 model. With its chiseled looks and high-tech gadgetry, an Allante it isn’t. Expect a name change, though. The Imaj, a low-slung four-door concept car, may see production even further down the line.

Chevrolet

Changes: The Corvette gets more power and torque in a new racing package called the Z06 (resurrecting the Z designation last used in 1963) that boosts performance in the 5.7-liter V-8 to 385 horsepower, up from 350 in the coupe and convertible. Improved fuel efficiency and 50% to 70% lower emissions bring it within low-emissions-vehicle requirements in all 50 states.

Production of the Camaro is committed through the fall of 2002 but, along with its sister sports coupe, the Pontiac Firebird, it is not expected to stick around beyond that. For ‘01, the Z28 coupe and convertible versions get five-horsepower boosts to 310, and the SS package gets bumped up to 325. Like the Firebird, the Camaro gets the new Sunset Orange metallic color.

The S-10 compact pickup gets a four-door Crew Cab version that sports improved windshield wipers and extends the 4x4’s 4.3-liter, 190-horsepower V-6 engine to two-wheel-drive models. The full-size Silverado pickup gets a heavy-duty edition for the 3/4-ton and 1-ton trucks with four doors standard and a choice of regular or extended cab. The Silverado HD line offers a Duramax 6.6-liter 300-horsepower turbo-diesel V-8; the gasoline engine is the new 8.1-liter, 340-horse Vortec big block V-8.

The Tracker compact SUV for 2001 offers the all-new LT and ZR2, both four-doors with a new 2.5-liter, 155-horsepower, twin-cam V-6 engine. The mid-size Blazer SUV is sticking around for the foreseeable future despite the introduction of the larger TrailBlazer next spring as an ’02 model. New for ’01 is the two-door, two-wheel-drive Blazer Xtreme, which combines an aggressively designed exterior with road-hugging, low-riding sports suspension.

The Tahoe full-size SUV gets its 4.8- and 5.3-liter Vortec V-8 engines tweaked to improve efficiency. The hulking Suburban gets that 8.1-liter Vortec V-8 as an option, while the 6.0-liter engine is improved to 315 horses. There is also a Z71 version available, with sporty styling cues.

Among the vans, Venture gets a face lift along with its cousins, the Pontiac Montana and Oldsmobile Silhouette, including a second power sliding door on the rear driver’s side and a third row of seats. The mammoth Chevy Express van, which seats up to 15, gets a new LT model at midyear, bringing in a number of luxury features.

The Rest: Retail sales of the Lumina and (formerly Geo) Metro are discontinued in ‘01, but the cars are available for fleet and rental sales. The Cavalier, GM’s best-selling passenger car, and the (ex-Geo) Prizm remain unchanged for 2001, as does the Impala, which was all-new last year. The Monte Carlo, also new in ‘00, gets a couple of external touches in sport packages such as a redesigned spoiler and wheels. The Malibu is refreshed externally and inside, with new fabrics and seat back pockets. No changes other than colors for the Astro van.

In the Wings: Chevy’s in-your-face Avalanche, a macho-designed pickup-SUV that’s a cross between a Suburban and Silverado, looks as if it roared off the set of a “Mad Max” film. The truck, coming in the first half of 2001 as an ’02 model, is built off the Suburban’s frame as a six-passenger SUV with what Chevy calls a “convert-a-cab” system: the rear window can be removed and the rear seats folded forward to extend the truck bed to 8 feet.

The ’02 TrailBlazer, on sale in the spring of 2001, is all new from the ground up. It will have its own, larger chassis instead of sharing one with the S-10 pickup. It and its sibling trucks, the GMC Envoy and Oldsmobile Bravada, will be 9 inches longer, 5 inches wider and 5 inches taller than the Chevy Blazer, providing considerably more legroom and hip room to the five occupants. All three get an all-new 4.2-liter, 270-horsepower, all-aluminum power plant with twin camshafts, the first inline-6 in any GM vehicle in 17 years.

Consumers are already panting for the Chevy SSR, a sporty, V-8-powered pickup truck coming in late ’02 as an ’03 model. The SSR’s hot-rod-styling, evoking the El Camino and American pickup trucks from the late 1940s and early ‘50s, is designed to break the auto maker’s image for making only mainstream vehicles. The retro-look truck with a retractable hardtop will probably have a V-8, but other details won’t come until next year.

Chrysler

New: Chrysler’s PT Cruiser, which premiered in March as an ’01 model, has been one of the most talked-about, most photographed and sought-after auto introductions in years, ranking right up there with Volkswagen’s New Beetle. The PT’s 1930s design, evoking a gangster getaway car--Chrysler prefers to call it “heritage” instead of “retro”--is nostalgic to oldsters and just plain cool to the younger set. It’s a minivan-like space on a small-car platform with head-turning looks. The five-position rear shelf invites tailgate parties, and its snarling looks lend themselves to aftermarket customization, particularly of the painted hot-rod flames variety. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price is $16,000 to $20,000, but some dealers, smelling a mother lode--for now--have been charging premiums of several thousand dollars.

Elsewhere, the 2001 model year sees helpful cleaning up of Chrysler’s smaller cars. There’s an all-new Sebring lineup: coupe, convertible and now a four-door sedan, the former Chrysler Cirrus. All three Sebrings sport a signature egg-crate grille with chrome edging, matching the common look among Chryslers. Newly designed jewel-like headlamps are 25% brighter, and a new instrument panel features chrome-ringed white-on-black gauges for a sporty look.

The engines are a 2.7-liter, 200-horsepower twin-cam V-6 (which offers 32 more horses and is up to 10% more efficient than the 2.5-liter it replaces) and an inline-4 that’s boosted to 2.4 liters and 142 horsepower; the coupe gets an optional 3.0-liter V-6 with 200 horses. Manual shifting in automatic models is mimicked with the coupe’s AutoStick, which allows drivers to shift gears under full throttle and even skip gears.

Chrysler is synonymous with American minivans, a segment it created in 1983, and the thinking seems to have been “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” The all-new Voyager and Town & Country minivans are completely redesigned for 2001 but aren’t a radical departure from Chrysler’s successful formula so far. There are, however, a number of touches: an industry-first power lift gate; removable center console; pop-up rear cargo organizer; three-zone temperature control; minivan-first 3.5-liter engine with 230 horsepower, coming in mid-2001; and a 6.4-inch liquid-crystal screen for the optional rear-seat entertainment system.

The upscale Town & Country, with extended wheelbase, adds such luxury touches as heated leather seats with programmable memory and an in-dash four-CD player. But Chrysler did not put in a third row of seats, a popular feature offered by General Motors, Honda and Mazda.

Changes: The LHS and 300M, essentially the luxury and sports versions of the full-size Concorde, get optional side air bags, standard three-point seat belts in the rear and an internal emergency trunk release.

The Rest: The Concorde gets minor updates.

Daewoo

Changes: Providing it survives its apparent bankruptcy and the attempts of the South Korean government and banking system to sell it to someone with money (Ford backed out after looking at the books, but General Motors and Fiat are still considering a joint bid), Daewoo will enter its third year in the U.S. market with steadily growing sales and a largely unchanged lineup. The exception is a sport version of its Lanos subcompact, the package consisting of a leather-wrapped steering wheel and a “ground effects” kit that adds side cladding and a rear spoiler.

The Rest: No changes to the compact Nubira or mid-size Leganza.

In the Wings: Daewoo’s financial turmoil has apparently delayed introduction of the Korando, a Jeep Wrangler-size SUV the company unveiled at the Greater Los Angeles Auto Show last January. Current plans call for a mid-2001 roll-out, probably as a 2002 model.

Dodge

New: The Caravan and Grand Caravan headline what’s new at Dodge. Like their Chrysler brand counterparts, these redesigned minivans don’t stray significantly from their predecessors. There’s no third row of seats here either but, like the Chrysler vans, they get the power lift gate; removable center console; pop-up rear cargo organizer; three-zone temperature control; and 6.4-inch liquid-crystal screen for the optional rear-seat entertainment system. The engine is slightly different from their Chrysler counterparts, with an improved 3.8 liters delivering 215 horsepower.

The mid-size Stratus is completely redesigned for 2001 and absorbs the former Dodge Avenger, which becomes the Stratus coupe. Both the sedan and the coupe now have the characteristic thick Dodge cross for a grille. The standard Stratus engine stays at 147 horsepower but grows from 2.0 to 2.4 liters, providing better acceleration, and now there’s also a V-6, the same 2.0-liter, 200-horse power plant in the Chrysler Sebring. The Stratus also gets an R/T version, expanding Dodge’s sporty R/T lineup, with a 3.0-liter, 200-horsepower V-6.

Changes: The Neon small car gets a sport package with 16-inch wheels, rear spoiler and optional leather. The Neon also gets an R/T, with a 2.0-liter 150-horse engine, sport suspension and 16-inch wheels. The Neon ACR (for American Club Racer) reappears after two years, with the performance of the Neon R/T and 15-inch aluminum wheels and dual exhaust pipes.

The Rest: No major changes to the Intrepid, high-performance Viper sports car, Dakota compact pickup, Ram full-size pickup, Durango SUV or Ram full-size (up to 15 passengers) van and wagon.

Ferrari

New: The famed sports car maker delves into its past with the introduction of the 550 Barchetta Pininfarina, a high-performance, open-top two-seater with a 485-horsepower V-12 engine. Reminiscent of the 250 GT Spyder California and the prestigious 365 GTS/4 Daytona, this front-engined supercar is classic Ferrari.

At the same time, the Commendatore’s successors have launched the $170,000 360 Spider, the drop-top rendition of the 360 Modena berlinetta. Built on an all-aluminum chassis with a high-revving midship V-8, the Spider matches its sibling in acceleration, top speed (about 175 mph) and, most important, drivability.

The Rest: The two-seat 550 Maranello and the 456 M 2+2 carry on Ferrari’s tradition of big, powerful gran turismo automobiles.

In the Wings: Ferrari now owns Maserati, once its bitter cross-town rival, and is looking to bring the “other” Italian supercar to the U.S. market.

Ford

Worth Noting: The Explorer, America’s best-selling SUV, is probably the most written-about vehicle this year, though not for reasons that Ford wants. The truck has been linked to at least 119 deaths attributed to failed Firestone tires, and numerous camps, from the tire maker to plaintiffs attorneys, are keen on roping in the Explorer to share the blame.

Although the jury is still out on that one, this is the last year of production for this generation of Explorer, so updating is minimal: The 4.0-liter V-6 engine with automatic transmission is now standard, and the five-speed manual transmission is gone.

Coming early next year, but as an 2002 model, is the third-generation Explorer--and given the vehicle’s current notoriety, a totally redesigned version couldn’t come at a better time. The ’02 model will have a lower center of gravity that will reduce the likelihood of a rollover; side curtain air bags to protect occupants in case it does; lower bumpers to cause less damage to other vehicles in collisions, especially passenger cars; and a surprisingly roomy foldaway third row of seats. And the tires: Some of the new Explorers are to be outfitted with Firestones, but Ford says no customer will be forced to take them against their will.

New: Ford has plunged into the crossover world in 2001 with the Escape, a compact SUV based on a car-like chassis for smoother ride and handling, better fuel economy and lower emissions. As Ford’s smallest and entry-level sport-ute, the Escape is aimed at younger drivers and passenger-car owners who don’t want to leap into the higher seating and stiffer ride and steering of truck-based SUVs, such as the Explorer.

In both front-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive versions, the Escape seats five, has four-wheel independent suspension and available side-impact bags. Standard in the 4x2 is a 127-horsepower inline-4 with manual transmission and combined city-highway fuel economy rating of 25 mpg. The optional 3.0-liter, 200-horse V-6 in 4x4 configuration gets 21 mpg. Prices start at $18,160, or somewhat more than comparably equipped versions of its sister vehicle, the Mazda Tribute.

The Explorer Sport Trac is also new for 2001, having arrived earlier this year as the latest iteration of the popular Explorer. Essentially an Explorer with an open pickup truck bed big enough to carry six sets of golf clubs, the Sport Trac also has some extra workhorse attributes such as a 12-volt power outlet in the open cargo area and optional lock-down tonneau cover. The 4.0-liter V-6 engine puts out 210 horsepower, but Ford says it’s still “quiet and smooth enough to cruise quietly to a concert.” Starts at $22,240.

Changes: A year after its introduction, the Focus has become the top-selling passenger car worldwide (though not in the U.S., where that honor, so far this year, goes to the Honda Accord). The Focus gets the AdvanceTrac interactive handling system for greater stability on the ZTS sedan and ZX3 hatchback and a manual transmission on the SE wagon.

With its Windstar being the first vehicle to receive a quadruple five-star rating in government front- and side-impact crash tests back in 1999, Ford emphasizes the minivan’s security aspect by enhancing the air bags and other safety features for ’01 and offering a standard low-tire-pressure warning system.

The two-door Explorer Sport gets minor external touches to make it look more rugged, along with an improved manual transmission mated to 203-horsepower 4.0-liter V-6. At the other end of the SUV scale, the new-for-2000 Excursion gets a beefier engine, a 7.3-liter, 250-horsepower turbo diesel V-8.

The Rest: Minor changes for the flagship Taurus sedan (which was all-new in 2000), Crown Victoria, Mustang, 320-horsepower Cobra (Ford’s souped-up pony car) and Expedition SUV.

The compact Ranger pickup truck gets a new optional 4.0-liter V-6 engine, boosting horsepower from 160 to 207. Among bigger pickups, the F-150 gets a SuperCrew model with four full-size doors and full rear seat; anti-lock brakes become standard on all models.

In the Wings: With the huge buildup that Ford is cannily unleashing (previews at high-profile auto shows, putting on sale 200 specially painted Neiman Marcus editions), the Thunderbird promises to be even bigger for 2002 than Chrysler’s PT Cruiser was for 2001. Combining retro looks with modern flourishes and a solid engine and frame, the ’02 Bird will surely be a runaway hit. Many details have yet to come out, but the car will share the same platform as the Lincoln LS and Jaguar S-Type and will be an eight-banger, rear-wheel-drive roadster that sports a removable metal roof (complete with porthole window). Price is expected to be about $40,000.

GMC

Changes: The most significant updates are in the pickups. The full-size Sierra gets a heavy-duty version, which, like the Chevy Silverado’s HD, has a Duramax 6.6-liter turbo-diesel V-8 and the gasoline version the Vortec 8.1-liter V-8. The heavy-duty also has four full doors and improvements in the four-speed automatic transmission, steering, suspension and brake systems. The Sierra half-ton pickup is the first of that size with a 6.0-liter engine and all-wheel-drive. The light-duty Sierra gets minor engine improvements and alternate-fuel capability (compressed natural gas or liquid propane) for the 6.0-liter V-8.

The Sonoma compact pickup, like the Chevy S-10, gets a Crew Cab and a Vortec 4.3-liter V-6, automatic transmission, four-wheel drive, new aluminum wheels and sport suspension.

The Jimmy SUV gets an improved Vortec 4.3-liter V-6, automatic door locks and expanded availability of heated front seats. A floor-shift option is added to two-door models with automatic transmission.

The full-size, eight-passenger Yukon gets a new 320-horse V-8, has self-leveling rear shocks for towing and an improved all-wheel-drive system. Heated front and second-row seats are standard. The mammoth Yukon XL, formerly the GMC Suburban, also gets the heated second row of seats as standard fare, and the 8.1-liter Vortec V-8 is an option along with a sunroof and torsion-bar front suspension for the two-wheel drive XL 3/4-ton.

The Rest: The Safari mid-size van gets various improvements to its Vortec 4.3-liter V-6 engine, and the Savana full-size passenger van (also offered as a cargo van) gets one of those 8.1-liter Vortec V-8s.

In the Wings: The ’02 Envoy lies ahead, the sibling of Chevy TrailBlazer and Olds Bravada, all of which are coming in the spring. The Envoy is thus also new from the ground up, outgrowing the S-10/Sonoma pickup platform. Taller, longer and wider than the S-10-based Blazer, the Envoy has optional air-bladder suspension for a smoother ride and shares the all-new 270-horse inline-6 engine with its kin.

Honda

New: The Civic offers new underpinnings, a new body (although the styling is evolutionary, not revolutionary), more interior room and a freshened ULEV-rated 1.7-liter inline-4 engine that pumps out 115 horses (127 in the top-of-the-line EX model). There’s an HX version, tuned for fuel economy, that comes either with a five-speed manual transmission or a new continuously variable transmission, or CVT, which is, essentially, a shiftless automatic that keeps the engine running at maximum efficiency without the power fluctuations that accompany automatic gear changes.

On the downside, for many, is Honda’s decision to ditch the Civic’s race-bred double-wishbone front suspension in favor of a space-saving MacPherson strut system. Honda engineers insist that the front end has been tuned to behave pretty much like the nimble Civic of old, but enthusiasts are already complaining that the 2001 model just doesn’t respond as well. Honda is also dropping the performance-tuned Civic Si. New Civic prices run from $12,700 to $16,900.

Changes: The flagship Accord gets a new front fascia, side air bags in all trim levels and traction control in V-6-equipped models. The Insight gasoline-electric hybrid gets a CVT.

The Rest: The Prelude coupe, CR-V mini-SUV, Passport mid-size SUV, Odyssey minivan and S2000 roadster are unchanged except for a few new exterior colors.

In the Wings: A new CR-V, to compete with Toyota’s revamped RAV4 and other small car-like trucks.

Hummer

Worth Noting: GM has acquired exclusive ownership of the brand name and the right to retail Hummer vehicles, originally U.S. military multipurpose vehicles known as Humvees. The brawny all-terrain conquerors are built at AM General’s plant in Mishawaka, Ind., near South Bend, and were first sold to civilians in 1992.

Changes: At $76,000 to $94,000, the hulking H1 is the only Hummer currently sold retail and is the ultimate macho machine, owned by the likes of Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mike Tyson and a number of NFL players who look as though they have steroids for breakfast. For 2001, the H1 gets redesigned in a number of areas, including new instrument panel gauges; larger, heated external mirrors; and a premium sound system available in open-top Hummers.

In the Wings: The junior Hummer, the H2, begins production in 2002 as an ’03 model. The H2 draws on the original Humvee but in a more approachable package on a par with the top luxury SUVs such as the Lexus LX 470 or Lincoln Navigator. It sports a raw, aggressive look that harks back to its military heritage but gets somewhat gentrified, using fewer exposed rivets and fasteners, and has four leather bucket seats and a center jump seat in the second row.

Hyundai

New: After surviving South Korea’s economic implosion and buying up rival Kia, Hyundai Motor Co. expands its lineup for 2001 with the Santa Fe SUV and the mid-size XG300 sedan.

The Santa Fe, introduced late in the summer, has garnered positive reviews from a press corps that generally has had little good to say about South Korean vehicles. It is a car-based SUV, another entry in the wagon-for-those-who-don’t- want-to-be-seen-in-a-wagon category that includes the new Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute twins and the RAV4 and CR-V.

Engine choices are a 150-horsepower four-banger or a V-6 with 185 horses. The Santa Fe comes with either front-wheel drive or full-time all-wheel drive, standard features that include air conditioning, roof rack, power windows and CD player, Hyundai’s 10-year warranty and a price tag that starts at $16,900.

The XG300 may prove an iffy proposition--a $24,000 near-luxury car in a fairly crowded segment. Its 3.0-liter, 192-horsepower V-6 is a bit smaller than the competition’s. Air, cruise control, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, power windows and door locks, side air bags and keyless entry are standard. The only transmission is a five-speed automatic that, like most in the class, adapts its shift patterns to the driver’s style.

Changes: The Elantra gets a mild face lift, and the Accent, all new last year, gets a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 105 horsepower, up from 1.5 liters and 92 horses in the 2000 model.

The Rest: No changes for the mid-size Sonata sedan or Tiburon sports coupe.

Infiniti

Changes: Infiniti is catching its breath this year between the all-new I30 introduced in 2000 and next year’s redone Q45 flagship sedan. The big change for 2001 is in the QX4 SUV, a luxury version of parent Nissan Motor Co.’s Pathfinder. It gets the Pathfinder’s new 240-horsepower V-6, a redesigned instrument panel and an optional navigation system. That’s inside. Outside, it gets a new front grille and bumper covers, high-intensity xenon headlamps and optional 17-inch wheels and tires. Infiniti is also presenting its first-ever two-wheel-drive QX4, for the large percentage of SUV buyers who never use and don’t want to pay for an expensive 4WD setup.

The Rest: The entry-level G20 sedan gets a five-speed manual transmission, the I30 and Q45 minor tweaks.

In the Wings: Nissan is returning to its roots as a performance-oriented car maker and wants to show that off in its luxury division too. That should happen in a big way next year when the Q45 brings back the 4.5-liter Nissan V-8, tuned to produce a tire-smoking 340 horses and 333 foot-pounds of torque. There’s also a new body, stiffer chassis and more interior room. Keeping with the bigger-is-better theme, Infiniti says the standard alloy wheels will be 17-inchers, with 18-inch alloys and tires optional. The 17-inch tires will be available as run-flats.

Isuzu

Changes: Now an SUV-only company, Isuzu Motors Ltd. drops the sluggish Hombre compact pickup, a downscale version of the Chevy S-10.

The Rest: Otherwise, 2001 is a holding year for Isuzu, with no significant changes planned for its stable of four SUVs: the Amigo, Rodeo, Trooper and VehiCROSS (the one that looks like the offspring of the freak mating of a fancy running shoe and an SUV).

In the Wings: The 2002 Axiom sport wagon, a four-door SUV-wagon blend that slots between the Rodeo and the Trooper in size. It will be the first Isuzu that combines the company’s new intelligent suspension control system and its patented Torque-on-Demand all-wheel-drive system. Pushing it all will be Isuzu’s aluminum 3.5-liter, dual-overhead cam V-6, rated at 215 horsepower and linked to the accelerator pedal not by a mechanical cable but by an electronic signal--Isuzu’s first throttle-by-wire system.

Jaguar

Worth Noting: There are no new cars from Jaguar this year--and it is Jag-you-arrr, please, not Jag-wharr and especially not Jag-wire, according to all those folks with plummy British accents who will be moving into Jag’s new North American headquarters in Irvine with the rest of Ford’s Premier Automotive Group next year.

But the Cat’s vision improves with the addition of a standard in-dash navigation system to all XKR models (that’s the supercharged V-8, with 370 horses). There’s also a new top-of-line limited-edition XKR, the $97,000 Silverstone--same price in coupe or convertible trim--with 20-inch wheels and heavy-duty Brembo disc brakes and standard computer-assisted active suspension system (just 250 of them slated for the U.S. market this model year).

Jaguar is also introducing a line of performance parts, including those big Brembos and wheels, that can be purchased as add-ons to the other X-Type vehicles.

The Rest: The S-Type, new in 2000, gets an LEV, or low-emissions vehicle, rating for both its V-6 and V-8 engines. The XJ luxury sedan series gets minor design tweaks.

In the Wings: The “Baby Jag,” the recently unveiled X-Type, is due next summer as a 2002 model. The small sports sedan will be Jaguar’s entry in the let’s-see-how-close- we-can-come-to-building-a-BMW-3-Series competition, started this year by Lexus with its new IS 300.

And, of course, Jaguar keeps tantalizing the faithful by hauling out its F-Type concept, a sleek two-seater that draws crowds even in venues, such as the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, where fancy cars are a dime a dozen.

Insiders hint at a production version of the F-Type sometime in the first half of the decade, as soon as Jag figures out where to build a fifth model, what to build it out of (aluminum is a favored material) and what part of the market to aim it at.

Jeep

Changes: The flagship Grand Cherokee gets a new five-speed automatic transmission for 2001, mated to the 4.7-liter, 235-horsepower V-8, providing a second overdrive gear for better highway fuel economy and reduced engine noise. The Wrangler gets a re-engineered soft top for enhanced quietness and durability, and an optional sub-woofer in the new center console that now has rear cup holders. There is also a removable hard plastic cargo container whose lid can be flipped over to hold drinks. Tailgate party, anyone?

The Rest: No major changes for the Jeep Cherokee, whose current-model production was scheduled to end this month but is being extended because of demand, at least through the ’02 model cycle.

Worth Noting: Jeep offers no all-new products for the ’01 model year, though the division looks to expand with a brand-new vehicle in calendar ’01 for the 2002 model year. This fourth Jeep product is expected to be unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January.

Kia

New: There are three--count ‘em, three--new Kias for the 2001 model year: the Spectra hatchback, Rio subcompact and Optima mid-size sedan.

The $11,000 Spectra is five-door hatchback, a spinoff of the Sephia sedan aimed at the youth market.

The Rio, an economy car with a bit of style, offers an options list that includes four-wheel anti-lock brakes, air conditioning and a five-speed automatic transmission, and prices that start at about $8,600.

The mid-size Optima sedan, due in December, shares a platform and numerous mechanical components, including a base 150-horsepower inline-4 engine and an optional 170-horse V-6, with the Sonata from Kia parent Hyundai Motor. Optima pricing hasn’t been set yet but is expected to range from $14,000 to $21,000.

The Rest: No changes for the Sephia or, except for a new, upscale LTD trim level, for the Sportage mini-SUV.

In the Wings: The Sedona minivan, first promised for this year as a 2001 model, has been pushed back to next year as a 2002. Kia also plans to introduce a second, larger SUV in model year 2003.

Lamborghini

New: Though its wares are more often seen in rap music videos than on the highway, the Italian company continues to push the supercar envelope. Now owned, but not governed, by Volkswagen, Lamborghini introduces the new Diablo 6.0 VT coupe for 2001. Touting a 6.0-liter V-12 engine generating 550 horsepower, the car uses a viscous traction four-wheel-drive system to propel it past 220 mph. Explain that to your local CHP officer.

Unlike with its predecessors, the majority of the Diablo 6.0’s body is built with carbon fiber. The roof remains steel for structural purposes and the doors aluminum for safety. With carbon fiber, aluminum and leather throughout, the interior is a combination of high-tech and luxury. The complete optional equipment list for a Diablo? Custom fitted luggage and mouton floor mats. What else would feel right against Ferragamo loafers?

Land Rover

Worth Noting: This venerable brand was added to Ford Motor’s Premier Automotive Group this year, but nothing much has been done to the line as Ford figures out what to do with it--and how. As a result, it looks as if the long-awaited U.S. introduction of the Freelander, a mini-ute, will be held up until 2002.

The Rest: The Range Rover and Discovery SUVs are largely unchanged.

Lexus

New: The BMW-fighting IS 300 sports sedan and the LS 430 sedan, which aims to keep Lexus fanciers in the family and dissuade them from looking at Mercedes-Benz’s S-Class, are this year’s headliners for Toyota Motor Corp.’s luxury line.

The IS 300 features a look that is distinctly more European than Japanese; track-bred handling capabilities that give BMW’s 3-Series cars a run; a 215-horsepower inline-6 engine as smooth as a politician’s stump speech; and a price that starts at a Bimmer-beating $31,000. On the downside, there’s almost no back seat and, until the 2002 models start arriving, no manual transmission to help move the wedge-shaped sedan (which is luscious in screaming lemon yellow, by the way) through its paces.

The redesigned LS 430, Lexus’ flagship, arrived this fall with a subtly updated body, a longer wheelbase and a torquier 4.3-liter V-8 that retains the same 290-horsepower rating as the 2000 model. And options--oh, yes, options: yaw control; Global Positioning Satellite navigation system; intelligent suspension that adapts to various driving conditions; voice-activated telephone; power adjustable rear seats with heaters and a massage function; front seats with individual heating and cooling; a high-end sound installation by home audio system superstar Mark Levinson, etc., etc., etc. Pricing starts at about $55,000.

Changes: The SC line takes a one-year hiatus, with a whole new approach to the sports coupe concept coming.

The Rest: A few tweaks and caresses for the remaining Lexii but nothing significant.

In the Wings: The new SC, which might better be called the SC-C--for coupe-convertible, will be arrive next year as a 2002 model. It is a 2+2 (meaning it has two front seats and two tiny patches of leather in back that pass, for insurance purposes, as rear seats--good for grocery bags, bowling balls or small pets) with a retracting metal hardtop. Push a button and the top folds away into the trunk (leaving enough room there for something about the size of a set of golf clubs), designed by the same company that did the hideaway aluminum lid for Mercedes-Benz’s SLK. The power plant is a new 4.3-liter, 300-horsepower V-8.

Lincoln

Worth Noting: There are no new models for Ford’s domestic luxury division this year, but Lincoln is offering free scheduled maintenance on all models for three years or 36,000 miles.

Changes: The LS line, new last year, gets connected with voice-activated cell phones linked to a 24-hour emergency assistance service as well as to providers of news, weather, sports and stock market information and voice-only e-mail. The Town Car adds adjustable pedals (an idea that first surfaced in the more plebeian Ford line two years ago), and its 4.6-liter V-8 gets boosted to 240 horsepower in top-of-the-line models.

In the Wings: The Lincoln Blackwood, a luxury sport-activity truck that mates a gussied-up, leather-upholstered F-150 Super Crew’s four-door cabin to a truncated, covered, wood-sided, stainless-steel-lined pickup bed sized just right for a pair of golf bags. It is due out next year as a 2002 model. We stand firm on our offer of last year, made when the decision to build the Blackwood was announced: a dollar to the first person who supplies a picture of a Blackwood owner actually using it as a pickup--loaded with lawn clippings or garage sale leftovers and headed up a potholed road to the county dump.

Lotus

Worth Noting: The wondrous Lotus Elise is coming. But not as a street-legal vehicle. Instead of larding it up with all the bits and pieces the feds say it needs to run on our highways, Lotus has opted to export the open Elise and its closed-cockpit cousin, the Exige, to the U.S. as race cars.

Changes: The only street-legal Lotus in the U.S., the twin-turbo Esprit coupe with its 3.5-liter, 350-horsepower V-8 located midships, behind the cabin’s two bucket seats, gets minor sheet-metal changes at the nose and rear.

Mazda

New: The Tribute, Mazda’s sporty version of the Ford Escape, joins the growing ranks of SUV-wagon blends. The base engine is a four-banger borrowed from the much smaller Ford Focus, but Mazda figures that most Tributes will be sold with the peppy 200-horsepower V-6. Although essentially the same vehicle as the Escape, Mazda was the lead vehicle engineer on the program.

The Tribute has more car-like bodywork and a tighter, slightly more responsive steering setup. It comes in three trim levels that, when compared with similarly equipped Escapes, sell for a few hundred dollars less than their Ford counterparts. The Tribute starts at $17,000 and tops out at about $25,000. This is Mazda’s first SUV since the two-door Navajo was dropped in 1994 and is expected to provide the company with a much-needed sales boost.

Changes: The Miata, Mazda’s kicky mid-priced roadster, finally has a competitor in Toyota’s MR2 Spyder. To remain competitive, the Miata gets a minor make-over (new gauges, seats and door trim inside, new headlamps and front bumper outside and a nice power boost, to 155 horsepower from 140). Best of all, Mazda is continuing to hold down prices, which were cut last year in the face of Toyota’s competitive pricing.

Mazda’s top-of-the-line Millenia sedan and its entry-level Protege sedan get face lifts (fenders, grilles, bumper covers, lights) as well as tweaks to the taillights and rear bumpers. The Millenia also gets a stiffer chassis, bigger and firmer brakes and a revised shift pattern that makes it a bit quicker from zero to 60. The Ford Ranger-based B-Series compact pickup gets two new engines: a 4.0-liter, 207-horsepower V-6 and a 2.3-liter, 140-horse four-banger with dual overhead cams.

The Rest: Nothing much changes for 2001 with the 626 mid-size sedan or the MPV minivan.

In the Wings: Mazda is planning to resurrect its RX-7 sports car, with a new-generation rotary engine, and is expected by mid-decade to launch a production version of the NexTourer concept that it unveiled late last year--a crossover SUV-wagon-luxury sedan.

Mercedes-Benz

Worth Noting: German technology is the story here. A first for the American market is M-B’s Smart Cruise Control. Radar sensors and the vehicle’s braking system automatically maintain position relative to the vehicle ahead; the system is offered on the S-Class sedans and CL coupes. For 2001, every Mercedes receives the company’s electronic stability system. The M-Class trucks receive a new off-road traction system that helps navigate critical off-road descents.

New: Finally, the arrival of the much-heralded C-Class sedans, the C240 and C320. While taking their place as “entry-level” models, these two V-6-powered sports sedans carry on the Mercedes tradition of exceptional luxury automobiles filled with state-of-the-art technology. Harboring a 3.2-liter, 215-horsepower engine, the C320 comes standard with an electronic five-speed automatic transmission that accepts input from the driver with side-to-side shifting: Tap the lever to the left to downshift, right to up-shift. The C240 makes the most out of its 168-horsepower engine with a true six-speed manual transmission.

M-B’s sprite roadster, the SLK230, gets a new stable mate, the SLK320. Under the bonnet of the new model is a 215-horsepower V-6 engine coupled to a six-speed transmission.

At the pinnacle of the S-Class is the new S600, with its 6.0 liter V-12 engine delivering 362 horsepower. The CL-Class coupe also gains the massive 12-cylinder power plant, creating the new CL600.

From M-B’s performance partner AMG come several new offerings: the CL55, CLK55 and, in sporty attire, the big S-Class sedan becomes the S55. AMG’s hand-built 5.5-liter V-8 propels the CL55 and S55 from zero to 60 mph in less than six seconds; the CLK55, however, makes the dash in less than five seconds.

The Rest: The E-Class offers a sports package option that includes an AMG aerodynamic kit and 17-inch wheels. Along with the additional model, the SLK-Class gets a face lift and a redesigned interior. Mercedes’ big two-seater, the obscenely expensive SL-Class (with stickers ranging from the mid-$80,000 range to more than $140,000), receives an aerodynamic package--yawn--as standard equipment.

Mercury

Changes: The Cougar coupe gets new front and rear treatments, including a new grille and, in the 200-horsepower V-6 versions, the sporty suspension and five-speed manual tranny of the discontinued Ford Contour SVT. The Grand Marquis gets a 12.5% boost to 225 horsepower in its standard V-8, and there is a dual-exhaust, 240-horse option guaranteed to jump-start the ol’ pacemaker (the Grand Marquis boasts one of the most elderly buyer profiles in the business).

The Rest: Mercury is part of Ford’s Irvine-based Lincoln Mercury unit but not part of the Premier Automotive Group, which will share the same headquarters facility and include Lincoln among its marques. As such, Merc has become Ford’s forgotten brand. Executives insist the brand won’t go away but say that little will be done with it in the next several years as efforts are concentrated on boosting Lincoln’s profile and integrating it into the Premier Group along with Volvo, Land Rover, Jaguar and Aston Martin.

Meanwhile, there will be no serious changes in 2001 for the Explorer-based Mountaineer SUV, the twin-of-Taurus Sable sedan or the Nissan Quest-based Villager minivan--which dies out at the end of the model year.

Worth Noting: The company appears to have dropped plans for a convertible Cougar.

In the Wings: Mercury will have a 2002 Mountaineer early next year, should have a souped-up Marauder version of the Grand Marquis by 2003 and, little birdies tell us, is working on a new version of the Villager--this one to be built on a Ford platform.

Mitsubishi

New: There’s a brand-new Spyder, or convertible, version of the Eclipse, and the four-door Montero SUV has been revamped for 2001.

First up: the Eclipse Spyder, which gets an automatic top that comes down in just 15 seconds, a real glass rear window and roomier rear seats than its predecessor, thanks to the basic Eclipse’s longer wheelbase. It keeps the same mechanicals as the coupe, with a standard 147-horsepower inline-4 in the GS level and a 200-pony V-6 in the GT. The Spyder starts at $23,900 and tops out at $27,000 in GT trim.

The Montero has been redone with unibody construction and independent suspension, front and rear, to give Mitsubishi’s big SUV a much more car-like ride. There’s a new body style, too. We’ll call it polygeometric, meaning that just about every shape in the geometry book, from straight lines and circles to ellipses and triangles, is represented somewhere in the sheet metal. Like it or hate it, the design makes the Montero the easy one to find in a parking lot crowded with SUVs.

It remains a real off-road-capable SUV, with a limited-slip differential (which would be even better if replaced with the fully locking rear end available only in the Japanese market) and an all-wheel-drive system that includes high and low ranges. The AWD can be switched on the fly between two-wheel and four-wheel modes in the high range. Prices run from $31,800 to about $35,800.

The Rest: No charges of substance for the Eclipse coupe, Mirage subcompact, Galant mid-size sedan or Diamante luxury sedan. The two-door Montero Sport SUV, which was revamped last year, gets a new trim level, the Limited, which comes with a 3.5-liter, 173-horsepower V-6.

Nissan

New: Following up its model year 2000 introduction of three new models, Nissan hits the deck running for 2001 with the extensively face-lifted Frontier compact pickup, and adds a supercharged V-6 to the mix. The Frontier, lowered a notch but still tall enough in four-wheel drive to clear some serious off-road obstacles, sports what can best be called an aggressive industrial look, with a muscular stance, lots of exposed rivets and a front end that looks as if it were milled from billet steel. The supercharger boosts the standard 3.3-liter, 170-horsepower V-6 to 210 horsepower and gives it a 22.5% torque boost, to 245 foot-pounds. Frontier prices range from $12,200 to $26,000 or more, with the supercharged V-6 model kicking in at a base of $20,000.

Changes: The Pathfinder SUV gets a new motor, a 3.5-liter V-6 that produces 240 horsepower when mated to Nissan’s automatic tranny (as most are) and 250 when stirred by the company’s five-speed manual shifter. The Pathfinder also gets several new options, including an in-dash navigation system and a flip-down video entertainment center.

The Rest: Nothing significant. Like Mercury with the Villager, Nissan will be phasing out that minivan’s twin, the Quest, this year or next.

The Altima got a face lift last year and this year gets an upscale Limited Edition package. The Sentra and Maxima sedans were new last year, so this year the compact Sentra settles for a few new colors and the flagship Maxima comes in a 20th-anniversary edition that features the Infiniti I30’s 3.0-liter 227-horsepower V-6, big 17-inch wheels and tires and several special trim pieces.

The Xterra SUV, a certified hit for Nissan, was new for 2000 too and won’t get tweaked again until the 2002 model year; look then for the supercharged V-6 to make its way from the Frontier.

In the Wings: Nissan will introduce a new version of the revered Z sports car, last produced in 1997, as a late-2002 model (meaning perhaps two summers hence). Executives of Japan’s No. 3 auto maker are positively paranoid about letting slip any inkling of technical data, but we do know that the new Z will be smoother-looking than its wedge-shaped predecessor.

Nissan also has a full-size pickup truck--its first--on the way, and where a pickup frame exists, can another SUV be far behind?

Oldsmobile

New: The flagship Aurora was completely redone for ’01 and went on sale in April. Now with an optional V-8 engine, it sports standard leather accents, burl-walnut trim, chrome-bezel instruments and a 27-function driver information center. Prices start at $31,000.

Changes: The Silhouette minivan gets a similar front-end refreshing as GM’s Chevy Venture and Pontiac Montana, plus a third row of seats and power sliding left-rear door (joining the power right door) and power rear lift door. The Silhouette also gets an optional bigger video screen for the entertainment package and up to four cordless headphones.

The Rest: No major changes to the entry-level Alero or full-size Intrigue sedans.

In the Wings: Olds’ next made-over vehicle is the Bravada SUV, actually a 2002 model, coming early next year along with its Chevy TrailBlazer and GMC Envoy siblings, with which it shares a chassis. The new Bravada is due out first, in March.

Unlike the TrailBlazer, the Bravada has a five-link independent rear suspension based on air bladders, doing away with the traditional leaf springs to give a softer ride expected to appeal to women and older drivers. Along with its kin, the Bravada gets the all-new 4.2-liter, inline-6 engine and shares the same larger dimensions over its predecessor. Prices are expected to start about $32,000.

Panoz

Worth Noting: It is difficult to start a new car company in the U.S., but Georgia-based Panoz Auto Development seems to be making the grade.

Panoz developed a second vehicle, the closed-wheel Esperante luxury-performance roadster, to complement its cycle-fendered AIV Roadster and said at its unveiling late last year that it hoped to sell 300 of them. It quickly took orders for 200 of the $80,000 two-seat convertibles in the first quarter after introduction and now is up to 320 and busy churning them out. The Esperante sports an all-aluminum body and chassis, independent front and rear suspension and the same 320-horsepower V-8 that Ford stuffs under the hood of its Mustang Cobra.

The Rest: The $63,000 AIV--for aluminum-intensive vehicle--is being phased out temporarily while Panoz works to fill Esperante orders. Company executives say they hope to revive the AIV within the next few years.

Plymouth

Worth Noting: The marque is on its final lap, as Chrysler is making the ’01 model year the last for the sputtering 73-year-old brand. The Plymouth versions of the Breeze and Voyager have been discontinued, and there are only two vehicles left: the Neon compact and the Prowler hot rod.

There are no major changes to the Neon, which will continue under Dodge badging. The extreme-design Prowler, which will shift over to Chrysler next year, gets two new color schemes--metallic orange and the striking black-and-silver Black-Tie Edition--but loses red, yellow, black and purple.

Pontiac

New: The Aztek, an all-new crossover minivan-SUV that went on sale in the summer, has made waves with its radical styling: Most consumers seem to think it’s either way cool or coyote ugly. GM says that’s just the polarizing effect it was going for, but sales have been below target.

The Aztek is built off the GM minivan platform but is wider, giving it considerable cargo room. Powered by a 3.4-liter, 185-horse V-6 engine, it handles surprisingly well for such a voluminous vehicle. Inside it has independent flip-and-fold removable rear seats and a sliding rear cargo tray with a reconfigurable net system to ease loading and unloading of packages. It also has optional rear speakers and stereo controls to blast sound 50 feet out the back of the vehicle, and an in-dash six-CD changer--an ultimate tailgate party truck. Not to mention the removable, insulated cooler that fits two six-packs up front. There’s even an option package that includes a tent and air mattress for camping. Around the beginning of the year, the Aztek will get GM’s Versatrak all-wheel-drive system, and a few more colors, including bright yellow. From $22,500.

Changes: The Grand Prix has a freshened front end for a sleeker, sportier appearance. Some new features: standard manual dual-zone climate control replaces an automatic dual-zone system; a new steering wheel sports improved wheel-mounted controls; a compass and outside air temperature display are included in the available electrochromic (self-dimming) mirror; and standard spoiler.

The Montana minivan has been freshened with its kin, the Chevy Venture and Oldsmobile Silhouette, with a redesigned front grille and front and rear fascias. Standard side air bags add head and thorax protection on the driver’s side. New options on certain models: Montana-Vision adds a new, larger video screen, a full-function remote, wireless headsets and enhanced sound quality; rear parking aid; fold-flat captain’s chairs in the second row; third-row stowable bench; and an in-dash six-CD changer.

The Rest: The entry-level Sunfire gets a cassette player standard with the AM-FM radio, and a rear spoiler is now standard on all models. The convertible model is discontinued. There are minor changes to the Grand Am, which gets upgraded sound systems and new 15-inch aluminum wheels, and to the Bonneville, which gets heated driver and passenger seats as options on all models.

The Firebird, like the twin Chevy Camaro, is expected to disappear in 2002. For ‘01, the 5.7-liter engine gets a new camshaft and intake manifold, and the shock absorbers have been re-valved to improve the ride. One new exterior color of note: Sunset Orange Metallic.

In the Wings: A “lifestyle-activity vehicle” that GM will make at its joint-venture plant with Toyota in Fremont in Northern California. GM hasn’t revealed details about the car, but it is expected to have a 2.0-liter or smaller engine. It could be based on the two-seat, dune buggy-like Pontiac Piranha concept car shown at auto shows earlier this year.

Porsche

New: The renowned sports car manufacturer continues to push the standard of drivable supercars with the new 2001 911 Turbo. Harboring a 3.6-liter twin-turbo boxer engine generating 415-horsepower, Porsche’s flagship reaches 60 mph in just over four seconds and pegs the speedometer at 189 mph. So what if you never see those numbers in L.A. traffic. Them there’s bragging rights.

Putting 415 foot-pounds of torque to the pavement are a six-speed transmission and all-wheel-drive system, and final contact is made with massive 225/40ZR18 front and 295/30ZR18 rear tires. Sporting a new front-end design, the Turbo finally distinguishes itself from its 911 stablemates. The Turbo offers an optional brake system incorporating ceramic composite discs, a first for a production car.

The Rest: After undergoing a complete engine and body renovation in 1999, the normally aspirated 911s--the Carrera and Carrera 4--take a respite from breaking new automotive ground.

Porsche Stability Management becomes an option for both the Boxster and Boxster S roadsters. The standard Boxster also receives a sportier three-spoke steering wheel and an array of interior and exterior colors.

In the Wings: Once again joining forces with Volkswagen to build a vehicle platform for both companies, Porsche is jumping into the ever-growing high-end SUV market. The new entry is still under wraps, and the only thing known about it is its name, Cayenne, referring to a hot pepper. Unfortunately, Cayenne is also the capital for French Guiana, which was once a penal colony and known as the City of the Condemned. Not a good omen, given that the last Porsche-VW endeavor produced the ill-fated 914.

Porsche

Qvale

Worth Noting: San Francisco-based Qvale Automotive Group (that’s pronounced kah-va-lee) ended its partnership with Italian car builder De Tomaso last year and is the sole proprietor now of the Mangusta sports car factory in Modena, Italy. Other than the ownership matter, however, little is changed for 2001 on the $80,000-plus 2+2 Mangusta sportster with a three-position top (coupe, targa or convertible) and a 320-horsepower Ford Mustang Cobra powertrain.

Rolls-Royce

Worth Noting: Forever the premier chariot of kings and queens and an oil tycoon or two, Rolls-Royce has nothing new to offer for its 2001 model lineup. But for the latest Internet moguls, Rolls still maintains a three-car showing: the Silver Seraph, the convertible Corniche and the Park Ward touring saloon (that’s British for sedan). As always, the Rolls options list is limited only by your imagination and the value of the stock options from your IPO.

Saab

New: Hoping to lure a younger crowd, Saab has dropped its base 9-3 model convertible in favor of a lower-priced SE soft-top with 2.0-liter, 205-horsepower turbocharged inline-4 engine.

Changes: The now fully owned GM subsidiary becomes the first European brand to offer the high-tech OnStar telematics system as standard equipment on all models. In addition, all 9-3 models receive traction control.

The 9-5 models’ 2.3-liter turbocharged engines get a boost to 185 horsepower, up from 170, while delivering estimated fuel mileage of 21 miles per gallon city, 28 highway. And leave it to the Swedes: Saab offers not just heated seats on the 9-5s but also seat cooling. Electric fans draw the air trapped beneath the passenger through the perforated leather upholstery.

For the sporty Saabs, the 9-3 Viggen models, traction control also becomes standard. The Viggens continue to include advanced safety features, including front-seat head and torso side air bags and enhanced braking systems.

Saleen

New: The Saleen S7 super car is Mustang remanufacturer Steve Saleen’s bid to cement his place in car-building history. The $375,000 composite-bodied, 200-mph two-seater, powered by a 7.0-liter V-8, wa