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Nissan
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The 1999 Nissan Quest
(click photo to enlarge)
This fall Nissan will bring out the next-generation Quest minivan. The redesigned 1999 Quest will be larger, have a more powerful engine, and feature a sliding passenger door on the driver's side. Nissan will also give the Sentra a face-lift, with a freshened looking Pathfinder coming a bit later as a 1999.5. Meanwhile, the Frontier compact pickup, which was introduced for the 1998 model year, will have available V6 power for 4WD versions in 1999. Unfortunately, 1998 will be the final year of production for both the 200SX and 240SX.

Oldsmobile
Arriving this summer will be an all-new Oldsmobile model, the Alero. Replacing the Achieva, the Alero is built on the same platform as the new Pontiac Grand Am. Available as a coupe or sedan, the new Alero will begin appearing in dealer showrooms this summer. Also arriving this summer, however it is still a 1998, is the Silhouette Premiere. Among the many standard amenities in the Premiere is a factory installed video entertainment system—an industry first. In other news, a redesigned Aurora is in the works, and is expected to debut in 2000.
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The 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
(click photo to enlarge)

Plymouth
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The 1999 Plymouth Prowler
(click photo to enlarge)
Although there was no 1998 Prowler, Plymouth introduced the 1999 Prowler earlier this year. Not only does the retro roadster now sport a considerable increase in power—up to 253 horsepower—it can now be had in colors other than purple. And while there has been no confirmation from Chrysler, rumor has it that a new Neon will be introduced early next year as a 2000 model.

 

Pontiac
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The 1999 Pontiac Grand Am
(click photo to enlarge)
Pontiac is starting out the 1999 model year early with the all-new Grand Am. Introduced in Detroit earlier this year, the Grand Am will be available in coupe or sedan form. Look for the new Grand Am to arrive at Pontiac dealerships sometime this summer.

Porsche
The big news out of Stuttgart is the introduction of the completely redesigned 911. With front end and interior styling similar to the Boxster, the newest Porsche is the first production 911 to feature a water-cooled engine. While the new engine is smaller than its predecessor's, power has been increased to 296 horses. Available initially in Carrera Coupe and Cabriolet convertible, the new 911s begam arriving in dealerships this summer. And while it was initially thought that the Boxster would get additional power for 1999, it now looks like the more powerful engine may be delayed until the 2000 model year.
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The 1999 Porsche 911
(click photo to enlarge)

Rolls-Royce
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The 1999 Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph
(click photo to enlarge)
It is not a common occurrence for Rolls-Royce to unveil an all-new model, but the British automaker did just that at the Geneva Auto Show this past spring. The first completely new Rolls in almost 20 years, the Silver Seraph is expected to take the luxury automaker into the new millennium. Power comes from BMW in the shape of a 322-horsepower V12 engine. There had been concern that BMW would no longer supply engines after Volkswagen's purchase of Rolls-Royce, but a recent agreement has put these fears to rest.

Saab
Saab has been very busy, replacing its entire model line for 1999. The 9-3 replaces the 900, and while there are more than 1,000 improvements, it retains much of the styling of its predecessor. The 9-5 is all new, taking the place of the Saab flagship, the 9000. A number if innovations are featured on the new Saabs, including the Active Head Restraint System to help protect against whiplash. All Saabs are now powered by turbocharged engines, and both models are already on sale. Coming next spring will be a new variant of the 9-5—the 9-5 Wagon.
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The 1999 Saab 9-5
(click photo to enlarge)

Saturn
Expect to see a midsize sedan coming from Saturn within the next year. Currently referred to as the Innovate, the midsize model will be completely new, and should give a much-needed boost to Saturn sales. This would be Saturn's first venture out of the small-car market.

 

Subaru
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The 1999 Subaru Impreza 2.5RS
(click photo to enlarge)
Last year Subaru introduced a sporty version of the Impreza, the 2.5RS. For 1999, the 2.5RS gets a face-lift, as well as a new SOHC engine. Horsepower has not been released, but the word is that the new engine will provide better low-end torque for better acceleration. No major changes are expected for the Legacy this year; however, in mid 1999 an all-new Legacy and Legacy Outback are expected to be unveiled as a 2000 models.

Suzuki
Suzuki will be ending production of its current Sidekick after the 1998 model year, and replacing it this summer with an all-new model, the Vitara. Available with two or four doors, the Vitara will also be available in a premium form called the Grand Vitara. The new Vitara will have two new available engines, including a V6, which is the first V6 sold by Suzuki in America.
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The 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara
(click photo to enlarge)

Toyota
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The Toyota T150 Show Truck
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Having discontinued the Camry coupe when the Camry was last redesigned, Toyota plans to fill that 2-door gap late this summer with the all-new Camry Solara. Among the many components shared with Camry is the popular sedan's available 200-horsepower V6 engine. Toyota is also hoping to make a bigger dent in the full-size pickup truck market with an all-new model, which will replace the current T100. A powerful V8 engine is just one of its many new features. The new truck, named the Tundra, was unveiled in August, but is not expected in showrooms until next May. And although details are still scarce, it is known that a new Celica is in the works. The next generation model will be introduced in 1999 as a 2000 model.

Volkswagen
Now that Volkswagen has captured the world's attention with its resurrection of the Beetle, the German automaker will complete the process of renewing its entire model line. The Jetta, Golf, and Cabrio are all slated to be redesigned for 1999. In addition, the Passat, which was introduced last year, was joined by the Passat Wagon this past spring.
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The 1999 Volkswagen Passat Wagon
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Volvo
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The Volvo V40
(click photo to enlarge)
Searching for a sportier image, Volvo introduced the C70 coupe last year. This summer, Volvo removes the top and introduces the C70 Cabriolet, the first Volvo convertible in 42 years. The Swedish automaker will also bring two vehicles from its European model line to America—the S40 sedan and V40 sportwagon. Arriving in showrooms next summer as 2000 models, these smaller front-wheel-drive models are key factors in Volvo's plan to expand its customer base.

 

At the other end of the scale is Volvo's new flagship, the S80. The new luxury sedan features the latest safety technologies, and is expected to go on sale this fall.
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The 1999 Volvo S80
(click photo to enlarge)

 

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