From page 29

its version of the Vitara called the Tracker, bar they won's have a V6 model.

Another new compact sport-atility tor 1999 is the KIA Sportage.

Kia is a South Korean ear- maker best known in Canada for making the Ford Festiva and Ford Aspire, wo models ho longer otfered by Ford.

The Sportage is abour the size of a Toyota RAV4, but has a body-on-frame desigi and part-time 4WD.

A 130 horsepower 2.0- litre four-cylinder engine is standard. Nia will begin sell- ing Sportages in’ eastern Canada carly in 1999, but

not clear when ther will sell vehicles in British Columbia.

From ned Discovery. The new Diseavery is) longer and wider with all new bods. work, but its appearance is sinvilar tothe previous

England comes a Land = Rover

mid-sized

model. It offers a number of

technical upgrades, including a four wheel traction control system, selt-levelling rear sus: pension and a cornering compensation systent.

Ao new seven-passenger interior Now features a tor- ward-facing third row seac instead of sicdeways- facing, jump seats.

us introduced its new mid-sized RX3C0 earlier in 1998. This mid-sized, car- like SUV has ao tull-time AWD system but it doesn’t

Land Flover

- Perhaps the most impor- tant new SUV this year is the redesigned Jeep Grand Cherokee, first introduced in 1992. The new model looks similar to the previous model, but the styling inside and out is all-new, and there’s more interior room.

The base 4.0-fitre inline six-cylinder engine is carried over with refinements and an all-new 4.7-litre V8 engine with 235 hersepower is optional.

Other changes include a new all-the-time 4WD_ sys- tem that will keep the vehicle moving ifonly one wheel has traction, a revised rear sus- pension, and an upgraded four-speed automatic trans- mission.

The 1999 Cherokees — range $37,195 to $46,235.

Cadillac has entered the SUV market for the first time. The new Escalade is a fancier version of the full-size GMC Yukon Denali. Just about everything is standard equipment on the Escalade, including AutoTrac 4WD system that includes full-time AWD, leather seats that are heated in the front and rear, wood trim, running boards and alloy wheels.

A 255 horsepower 5.7- litre V8 and four-speed auto- matic transmission are stan-

Grand from

have a Low Range gear. Like a car, it has a unit body and a

tully-independent sion.

The interior is Juxurious- ly-appointed with features like in-dash CD player, wal- nut trim, and automatic cli- mate control. Prices range trom $46,000 to $31,995.

Lexus also offers a bigger LX470 sport utility vehicle based oon othe — Toyota Landcruiser. The LX470 has a 230 horsepower 4.7-litre V8 engine, full-time 4WD, Low Range, adaptive suspen- sion, and a new independent front suspension. Its priced at $83,265.

From

suspen-

Germany ~via Alabama comes the Mercedes-Benz ML320 and the new V8-powered ML430.

The MI430 has a 268 horsepower | +.3-litre V8 engine and five-speed auto- matic transmission, big 17- inch tires with alloy wheels, and body-coloured bumpers.

All MI. anedels receive new emergency Brake Assist whica applies additional brake pressure in panic stops, and ESP, an anti-skid system.

Two third row seats are now optional, bringing scat- ing capacity to seven. MILs are priced from $47,550 to $59,950.

THE price of admission for mini-vans in 1999 is four doors.

Al nsint-vans in’ Canada, except the VW Eurovan, are now available with two sliding rear doors. Sliding rear doors are now favoured over copventional swing-out doors, previously used by the Honda Odyssey, and curreutly used bv

the Mazda MPV.

As well, power-operated rear sliding doors are now de- rigueur.

The new Ford Windstar and Honda Odyssey are available with optional power rear sliding doors; the Toyota Sienna (introduced last year) is now offered with a passenger-side power rear door, and the Chevrolet Venture/ Pontiac Trans Sport/Oldsmobile Silhouette are also available with a pas-

ide rear sliding door. all-new = mid-sized = Honda Odyssey is completely different mini-van trom the previous compact Odyssey.

It’s now an extended length mini-van about the size of a Ford Windstar or Dodge Grand Caravan. Four doors are standard — there’s no three-door model. Seven passenger seating is standard — two front buckets, nwo centre buckets (which can be pushed together to form a bench sear), and a three-person rear bench seat. The rear bench seat can be tolded into the Moor, just like the previ- ous model. Odvssey’s now have the most powerful standard enging in a minivan — a 210 horsepower 3.5-Hire VTEC V6 engine. Even base Odyssey's come well- equipped. LX models start at $30,500 and EX models at $33,600. Ods built exclusively in Affiston, Oncati

The redesigned Ford Windstar comes standard with three doors, but is available with tour doors, and optional power rear doors, Passenger satety has been given a high priority.

The Windstar now offers optional side (head and chest) airbags mounted in the front seats and interior surfaces designed to absorb head impacts. A unique Reverse Sensing system alerts the driver to unscen objects behind che van when backing up. Seven passenger seat- ing is standard (2-2-3) and the centre bucket seat will nvove to either side of the van to accommodate entering from the left or right side.

Removable rear bench seats now have sall wheels to make them easier co Move outside of the van. Windstars offer a new dual mode stereo system that allows rear passengers to listen to a different audio source on headphones, 1999 Windstar prices range from $24,295 to $36,195.

The 1999 Nissan Quest is redesigned for the first time since 1992.

It's now longer and roomier, about the size of a Tovota Sienna. A fourth, dri- ver le sliding rear door is now stan- dard conipment, bur neither rear doors are power-operated.

There’s considerably

more rear

Friday, January 15, 1999 — North Shore News — 31

fissan (luest

legroom and cargo area, and a unique stacked shelf system to maximize cargo space. The Quest's standard engine is now a 170 horsepower 3.3-litre V6, up from a 150 horsepower 3.0-litre V6. Anti-lock brakes are now standard equip- ment. Like, Windstars, Quests also have a rear dual-mode stereo system.

A redesigned Mercury Villager, ovin of the Nissan Quest, will not be available

in Canada as 2 1999 model, but may be offered in the 2000 model year.

The last significantly different 1999 mini-van is the VW Eurovan, now offered with a standard 2.8-litre V6 engine and five-speed automatic trans- mission. .

Base price is $43,940. It also comes as a semi-camperized Weekender model and a fully-camperized Winnebago model.

Be