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| Honda will be retiring its current Odyssey minivan this fall when the Japanese automaker brings out an all-new minivan. Unveiled at this year's New York Auto Show, the new model will be built on the current Accord platform, and will retain the Odyssey name. The new Odyssey will have available dual powered sliding rear doors, and what Honda claims is class-leading horsepower. And it appears that Honda has a hight powered roadster in its future. The S2000 roadster, based on the SSM concept shown on the autoshow circuit, will be introduced next spring. The new roadster is expected to sport a 2.0-liter engine with an output of more than 240 horsepower. |
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Word from Hyundai confirms that an all-new 1999 Sonata, featuring everything from a new chassis to a new engine, will go on sale this fall. Meanwhile, the Elantra sedan and wagon get face-lifts and larger engines. The Tiburon and Accent remain primarily unchanged for the new model year. |
| The G20 name returns this fall in the form of an all-new sport sedan. The new G20 will feature a 140-horsepower engine, front and side airbags, and will be available in base and Touring trim levels. The G20 went on sale in late July. In other Infiniti news, the Q45 will receive a minor face-lift inside and out for the 1999 model year. |
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Last year was an exciting year for Isuzu, with a revised Trooper, new Rodeo, and the return of the Amigo. While Rodeo and Trooper will likely remain largely unchanged for 1999, the Amigo is expected to have the option of a hardtop for 1999. Debuted at the New York Auto Show, the hardtop Amigo will go on sale this fall. |
| Jaguar is expected to introduce a more powerful version of the popular XK8 called the XKR. Already on sale in Europe, the new XKR will be available in both coupe and convertible form, powered by the 370-horsepower supercharged V8 that resides in the XJR. Jaguar has not yet released the on-sale date for North America, but it is likely to be sometime in 1999 as a 2000 model. There are also plans for a smaller Jag sedan, which will share a platform with the new Lincoln LS sedan. Named the S-Type, this new model will be unveiled in October, and is expected to go on sale next spring. |
| Although Jeep planned on keeping it secret at least until June, the redesigned 1999 Grand Cherokee showed up on the Internet in April following a brochure photo shoot in Utah. The new Grand Cherokee has only 127 parts carried over from current model, and sports a sleek new look. An all new 4.7-liter V8 will be available, as will an advanced new 4WD system, called Quadra-Trac II. A redesigned Cherokee will likely follow one year later, and there are rumors in the automotive enthusiast magazines that a Grand Wagoneer is being developed, based on the next generation of the Dodge Ram pickup. However, don't look for this Suburban fighter to arrive for at least a couple of years. |
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The Korean automaker has been having financial difficulties back at home, but this summer Kia introduced a convertible version of the Sportage mini sport ute. The 2-door model features a removable canvas top over the rear portion of the vehicle, similar to the Isuzu Amigo. |
| The next Diablo is expected to enjoy a wide range of improvements including engine enhancements that should increase output to over 500 horsepower. To help stop this supercar, the brake system will also be improved with the addition of an anti-lock brake system (ABS). Other changes include a freshened exterior, along with design improvements and a new interior climate system. It is uncertain at this time whether the new model will be a 1999 or 2000 model. |
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The word from the British builder of luxury sport utes is that there will be an all-new Discovery for 1999. In addition to sporting a new look, a range of improvements under the skin are expected, including a new air suspension and traction control. The top-of-the-line Range Rover is also expected to get a facelift for the 1999 model year. And an announcement has finally been made by Land Rover officials stating that the sleek new Freelander, which is already on sale in Europe, will be coming to North America in 2001. |
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Toyota's luxury brand got a jump on the 1999 model year with its entry into the luxury sport-utility marketplace. The RX 300 went on sale in March, after being unveiled earlier in the year at the Detroit Autoshow. The car-like SUV gives Lexus two sport-utility offerings, the other being the redesigned full-size LX 470. |
| The luxury nameplate of the Ford Motor Company is set to go head to head with its European and Japanese competitors with the all-new LS sedan. This newest Lincoln will share a platform with an upcoming Jaguar model (Jaguar is owned by Ford). Look for the new LS next spring as a 2000 model. In other news, 1998 will be the last model year for production of the Mark VIII. |
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| Information regarding the 1999 model year is slow in coming from Lotus, however it is expected that the exotic Esprit V8 will remain largely unchanged for the new model year. As information is released, it will be reported here. |
| Starting early with its 1999 lineup, Mazda unveiled the next-generation MX-5 Miata in Tokyo last fall—the first redesign of the sporty convertible since its introduction in 1989. Having gone on sale in the spring of 1998, the new roadster sports a more-powerful engine and fixed headlights—replacing the pop-up headlights of the preceding model. Going on sale this fall is an all-new Protege. Little information is known about the redesigned entry-level sedan, but Mazda describes it as sporting "European Styling." The Millenia gets a slight facelift, and the MPV skips the 1999 model year, with an all-new Mazda minivan scheduled to go on sale next spring. |
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Last year Mercedes-Benz introduced the CLK coupe, and for 1999 the top comes off when the German automaker introduces the CLK Cabriolet. The 1999 CLK will also benefit from more power, getting an available 4.3-liter V8. The same V8 will also power the new M-Class ML430. Also, the SLK roadster will get a manual transmission for 1999. Meanwhile, a new S-Class and CL-Class are in the works—the S-Class will be a 2000 model introduced next summer, with the CL following a year later as a 2001 model. |
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After a one-year absence, Mercury brought back the Cougar name on a vehicle that has absolutely no resemblance to its predecessor. The 1999 Cougar, which went on sale the beginning of May, is just starting to arrive on American roads. The new coupe is front-wheel drive, and features styling that uses Ford's New Edge design. Arriving this fall is the next-generation Villager minivan. The 1999 Villager will have more room and more power, as well as the obligatory fourth sliding door. |
| Mitsubishi chose Chicago as the venue to unveil the redesigned 1999 Galant. On sale this summer, the new Galant is larger, with new styling similar to that of the Diamante, Mitsubishi's flagship. The new Galant also gets V6 power for the first time, which the automaker hopes will help it get noticed in the crowded midsize marketplace. |
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