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2003 Auto Show: Chicago
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| Ford, Chevrolet showcase minivans and super sedans |
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| Updated |
Mar 17, 2005 19:41:50 |
| Rating |
 113 ( -14 -12.38% ) | | Author | Brian Chee |
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Description:
Minivans, supercharged sedans - and a little euro commuter -- took center stage for Ford and Chevrolet at the Chicago Auto Show.
Ford and Mercury are preparing to foist new minivans on the buying public - a semi-lux minivan called the Mercury Monterey, and the Windstar replacement, the Freestar. It's also the 10-year anniversary of Ford's SVT program, and they're celebrating by rolling out a special edition Mustang Cobra. Chevrolet added a much-needed euro commuter, the Aveo, to its lineup and debuted the new SS Impala and Monte Carlo.
Highlights from the Chicago Auto Show:
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Minivans and super sedans
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Chevrolet
If it's Chicago. It must be Chevy - at least this year. General Motors chose Chicago to announce two relatively major developments to its car line-up: two high performance "SS" models, the Impala SS and the Monte Carlo Supercharged SS, and a new compact vehicle dubbed Aveo.
According to Chevrolet officials, the Impala SS will be an "attainable" sport sedan for enthusiasts. Both Impala SS and Monte Carlo Supercharged SS feature a supercharged, 240-horsepower V-6 along with enhanced suspensions, high-performance speed-rated tires, 17-inch diamond-cut cast aluminum wheels and new styling cues.
The Aveo is certainly not a performance machine, but it is designed to be a very attainable euro-styled compact commuter. The Aveo lineup will include a pair of subcompact models - a four-door and a five-door. Penned by Italdesign, one of Italy's leading design houses, Aveo offers unique exteriors, and roomy interiors with elevated seats for comfort and visibility. Aveo will arrive in Chevy showrooms by early 2004.
Ford Freestar Minivan
Ford continued the American minivan renaissance in Chicago with the 2004 Ford Freestar, designed to replace the Windstar. Due to go on sale in fall 2003, four series will be offered: Freestar, Freestar LX, including an LX Sport Appearance Package, Freestar SE and the Freestar Limited. Pricing will be announced closer to launch. According to Ford, it's their highest quality, best driving, most comfortable, most versatile and safest minivan ever.
That's big praise - sales and test drives will show whether the Freestar lives up to advance billing. It's curious, though, as to why Ford would forsake the Windstar name for a plate so close to the Freestyle, the new Ford crossover vehicle. And though the outside the Freestar looks much the same as the Windstar, under the skin improvements include similar safety innovations as the Monterey, the 4.2 liter V6 engine a new interior design and flexible fold-flat seating. Additional features include:
A new power liftgate, which will be available later in the model year.
A four-speed automatic transmission with fast-acting hydraulics for seamless shift quality and improved downshift response.
New, larger four-wheel disc brakes with a new "Panic Brake Assist" system as standard on models equipped with Ford's AdvanceTracâ„¢ stability enhancement system.
Ford SVT
Hard to believe it's been 10 years since Ford's SVT unit first unveiled the SVT Mustang Cobra. To celebrate, they will produce the SVT Mustang Cobra 10th Anniversary Package, and the SVT's first concept vehicle in their ten year history, the SVT Lightning concept. The 10th Anniversary Cobra will go on sale this summer, while the SVT Lightning concept is a hint at the not-to-distant future of SVT.
Created to "Polish the Ford Oval", SVT was officially launched with the debut of the 1993 SVT Mustang Cobra and SVT F-150 Lightning at the 1992 Chicago Auto Show. Since then, SVT has produced more than 100,000 performance vehicles, including coupes, convertibles, four-door sport sedans, pickup trucks, and now "pocket rockets". Over one hundred thousand loyal owners and a national car club, the SVT Owner's Association (SVTOA), show that SVT is a dominant force in the domestic performance market.
Last Year's Highlights
It was a year to take notice for even the most non-enthusiastic car shopper. A show season of landmark debuts and promising previews, with very few boring cars sweating under the showroom lights. From the controversial BMW 7-Series to the Nissan 350Z, the Ford GT-40 and the Toyota Corolla, automakers put on a show that will be hard to beat in 2003...
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2003 Chicago
Gallery
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More Show Photos...
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Ford SVT will offer 2,003 units of the SVT Mustang Cobra "10th Anniversary Package". Other product highlights for 2003 include the new 5-door SVT Focus, a "European Appearance Package" option for the 3-door SVT Focus, and continuous refinement in several areas of the SVT F-150 Lightning.
Mercury Monterey Minivan
A semi-luxury minivan designed for families between the Ford and Lincoln line-ups, the Monterey is the first, and perhaps, the most critical debut for Mercury. According to Elena Ford, Mercury group marketing manager, Mercury will unveil a new vehicle every year for the next several years.
The critical question is whether there's a healthy market for more minivans, with sales down 6.7 percent, the impending onslaught of crossover vehicles and the continued success of SUVs. Mercury is counting on the fact that even with a decline in sales, minivans still accounted for 1 million sales.
We'll find out soon enough, as the Monterey is due to go on sale in the fall of 2003. From under the convention floor spotlights, however, this new minivan looks promising. Features include:
Industry safety firsts and advanced features, such as side curtain airbags for all three seating rows, front and rear object-sensing systems, and an advanced tire-pressure monitoring system.
Heated and cooled front seats and dual-zone climate control.
A 4.2-liter V6 engine as standard equipment.
A satin aluminum finish on the instrument panel and gauge cluster.
Fold-into-the-floor third-row seat.
Available heated and cooled front seats.
Power-adjustable brake and accelerator pedals.
Adjustable anchor-point seatbelts. |
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