24 ~ Friday, July 21, 1995 — North Shore News SPI LER NT EEL RG FOG EECA GHAR Bim Fai Hake b EG EET AY ST SPORT UTILITY vehicles are the hottest type of vehi- cles today, and the momen- . um shows no Signs of slow- To meet the i incrensing demand, automakers are expanding the spurt-utiJity territory with a series: of smaller, fun-oriented sport utili- ties at one end, and larger, utility- focused models at the other -extreme. Aimed directly. at the ©. Generation X bunch, Suzuki's .,, upcoming X90 sport utility vehicle “Will fill tae niche as a compact- sized, affordable two-seater fun- mobile. The cute, almost affection- .ite-looking X90 will arrive in the fall complete with a four-wheel- drive system, dual airbags, 1.6-litre 16-valve four-vylinder engine, and a T-top. The X90 is based on the | current Suzuki Sidekick model,’ and | as such, the Sidekick's, basic... acter will probably carry over” - to the X90. This isn’t bad news, since the Sidekick’s strength’ has been its robust capability and, “tough framework. Unfortunately, : the X90 will also probably inherit Sidekick’s vague steering and 7 truck-like {transtation: bumpy) avid Although no ) definite plans have “been made yet, Chrysler will also’. bring out a small, affordable. -spatt. “ utility’ within the next few “years. The Ainerican automaker showed a ’ glimpse’ of.what this future model the market sul largely untapped by other competitors, GM hits cup- tured over 90% of the full-size utility vehicle market, and the two new models are only going tu increase that number, The $33,000- to-$38,000 Tahoe and the Yukon took very much like the Suburban, - but because it’s 500 mm (20 inch- es) shorter, the overall styling is much less intimidating than the gigantic Suburoan. On the road, the smaller size, newly incorporat- ed suspension pieces, and signifi- cuntly stiffer body trunslate to a surprising!y capable vehicle. Other upcoming sport utilities in the next 12 months include a | four-door Ford Bronco, a luxury sport utility from Lexus, and an Isuzu-Trooper-based vehicle from Acura (which is not expected to come to Canada), “So if you" re one Of many sport | utility. fans, you'll be happy, to hear that the selection is only going to get better — at both ends of the truck market. overdrive may look fike at the most recent Detroit Auto Show. Dubbed the Plymouth Back Pack, the funky, -. emerald green utility vehicle looks exciting, handsome, and trendy enough: tu be seen in Vancouver's yuppiest areas, It boasts a func-— tional interior that includes a dri- _ver’s seat which can be quickly converted. loan office table. The Cargo area: can also double as a »- pick- up truck bed, and it includes a built-in bike rack. General Motors has just intro- duced the generous-sized Chevrolet Tahoe and.GMC Yukon four-door sporty utility. The pair fits between the slightly smaller :: Blazer/Jimmy 4X4s and the much: bigger, monstrous Suburban sport