KIA
2001 Kia Rio
In Chicago, Kia introduced its new, low-priced Rio subcompact
sedan and also crowed about its finish in the recent Paris-Dakar-Cairo
rally. (It is an accomplishment simply to make it to the finish line
of the grueling 18-day event, especially in a four-cylinder Kia, especially
if it's the first time the automaker has entered, and especially when
terrorist threats cause you to be air-lifted over part of the route.)
The Rio goes on sale in July as the lowest-price Kia, slotting in beneath
the just-introduced Spectra hatchback (which itself goes on sale this
spring). Kia unabashedly promotes the Rio, which will start at between
$8300 and $8900, as an alternative to used cars. The Rio is a good-looking
little runabout that will provide perfectly respectable performance
from its 108-bhp, 1.5-liter four- cylinder engine. The features list
is rather barren, but in the sub-$10,000 price category, "new" and "reliable"
are the most important attributes. A five- speed manual transmission
is standard; a four-speed automatic is optional. Kia hopes to sell about
40,000 Rios a year once production is up to speed, taking some of the
entry-level market away from the Chevrolet Metro, the Hyundai Accent,
and the Daewoo Lanos.
HYUNDAI
Hyundai Crosstour concept
Hyundai, the most established Korean automaker in the U.S.
market, introduced its own take on the sedan/utility/crossover concept
with the Crosstour, which it refers to as a "high-tech triple-utility
sedan." The triple utilities are for work, family, and recreation. Crosstour
has an aggressive exterior stance, matte-finish paint, and a unique
greenhouse with side windows that dip sharply in the rear doors. Here's
how Hyundai says the four-seat Crosstour will meet the triple needs
of its potential owners: Work: A flat TV screen pops out of the dash
to provide Internet and email access when the vehicle is parked. A matched
set of leather briefcases is built into the front doors.
Family: A second TV screen in the center of the cabin provides DVD,
CD, or VHS service for entertaining the kiddies.
Recreation: The rear seats fold down to create a flat load floor that
will accommodate bicycles. The window in the rear hatch retracts into
the roof, and the rear gate folds down and provides two seats for tailgate
parties. The rear doors are rear-hinged, which aids ingress and egress.
Power is from a 2.7-liter Hyundai V-6. All-wheel drive would potentially
be available. There is nothing particularly new about this concept vehicle,
but still we find the Crosstour appealing.
FORD
2001 Ford Ranger
The 2001 Ranger made its debut in Chicago, and the most
interesting thing to note about it is that it does NOT offer four full-size
doors in any configuration. Ford
does not wish to cannabalize sales from its new Explorer Sport-Trac,
so the Ranger is not going down the same road as other compact pickups.
There will be a new Ranger Edge model, which has a "Power dome" hood,
monochromatic exterior paint, standard 3.0-liter V-6, and a higher ride
height for the 4x2 model that makes it the same height as the 4x4 model
(appearances are everything, doncha know). A washable rubber floor is
also standard. The hood, the front fascia, and the headlamps of all
2001 Ranger models are different from 2000 models.
The Ranger will have a new optional 4.0-liter SOHC V-6 producing 205
horsepower and 235 lb-ft of torque beginning this fall; the 150-bhp,
3.0-liter V-6 that is standard on all Edge models (the 4.0-liter is
optional on Edge) is optional on others. A new four-cylinder engine
will debut in November with improved power, fuel economy, and emissions.
2001 Ranger models will include the XL, the XLT, and the Edge. A new
option will be a two-piece tonneau cover that's hinged horizontally
in the middle, with a vertical divider that keeps cargo from sliding
from the front of the bed to the back.
Ford also introduced the Sony Limited
Edition Ford Focus sedan, which features Sony Xplod speakers and
amplifiers. The Focus Xplod system includes an AM/FM CD receiver with
wireless remote; four red-and-black three-way speakers--one pair in
each front door--and a ten-inch subwoofer and integrated amplifier in
the trunk. It all adds up to 460 watts of bass-heavy power. Seven thousand
Sony Limited Edition Ford
Focuses will be sold beginning in late March. The $15,535 base price
includes the Xplod system, a folding rear seat, air conditioning, power
mirrors, remote entry, fifteen-inch painted aluminum wheels, and a black
cloth interior. A black leather interior is optional, and there will
be four exterior colors: rainforest green, infra-red, pitch black, and
going platinum.
