• White / Medium Graphite
• Spruce Green / Medium Parchment
• Silver Frost / Medium Graphite
• Matador Red / Medium Graphite
• Arizona Beige / Medium Parchment

On October 31, 2001, General Motors' Cadillac division announced introductory pricing for the Cadillac CTS, the all-new rear-wheel-drive luxury sport sedan. Jay Spenchian, Cadillac CTS brand manager, said that pricing will begin at $29,990 MSRP, including destination charges. Vehicles sold with the most popular features will start at about $35,500 MSRP and a fully-loaded CTS will list for $40,400 MSRP.

The CTS features an all-new chassis, a choice of manual or automatic transmission and a standard 220-horsepower engine with 0-60 mph performance under seven seconds, based on preliminary testing.

Additional standard equipment includes:

•   Six air bags, including dual front, side and front-to-rear curtain air bags
• Ultra-high strength steel safety cage body structure
• Power automatic programmable door locks with rear-door child safety locks, lockout prevention, and illuminated entry system
• Power windows with front express-up and express-down.
• Power trunk-lid release and an emergency interior trunk release handle
• Leather seating with eight-way power adjustable driver's seat
• Leather-trimmed steering wheel with fingertip audio and climate controls and programmable functions
• Auto-dimming interior rearview mirror and powered and heated outside mirrors
• AM/FM/Cassette/Single-slot CD player with RDS and seven speakers
• Twilight Sentinel automatic headlamps
• PassKey II theft deterrent system
• 16-inch cast aluminum wheels with all-season steel-belted radials
• Four-wheel vented disc brakes with ABS
• One-Year OnStar Safety & Security Plan
• 4-year, 50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper limited warranty
• 24-hour Roadside Assistance and Alternate Transportation Program

Additional vehicle options include a five-speed electronic automatic transmission, a Bose premium sound system with cassette/six-disc CD changer and CD-ROM-based navigation, 16-inch machined bright finish wheels, engine block heater, heated front seats, express-open sunroof, xenon high-intensity discharge headlamps and a split-folding rear seat.

Order banks for the CTS are currently open and the model is available for fleet ordering without restrictions.

Chrysler Group recently announced new details of its vehicle communication strategy for North America, which includes technology that uses the customer's personal mobile phone.

Chrysler's new offering focuses on voice and data communication tools in the automobile, with an emphasis on personal mobility and consumer choice. The company says it recognizes the need for in-vehicle solutions that meets the specific needs of its customers in both the luxury and volume production markets.

Chrysler Group will offer a hands-free, voice recognition communications system that provides mobility for the customer. Unlike other offerings, the system's communication is driven through a user's wireless phone, and works inside and outside the vehicle. This promotes a flexible, "take-it-anywhere" sense of freedom, so the customer is not restricted only to the car or truck.

Additional customer benefits of the system include:

• Consumers can use their current carrier and telephone number, or sign up for enhanced carrier services with AT&T Wireless
• Customers pay only for the services they want
• Allows multiple phones to work within a specific vehicle's system (up to five phones)
• Provides multilingual (English, Spanish and French) and multi-voice recognition.

Consumers will be able to experience hands-free calling using voice recognition commands simply by bringing a mobile telephone into the vehicle environment. The communication device will be controlled and operated by a simplified hardware set-up, consisting of a receiver module located behind the dashboard, an embedded microphone in the rearview mirror and a customer's mobile telephone.

Upon entering the vehicle, the mobile phone connects to the vehicle's electrical system. Once the system is engaged, the phone audio is fed through the vehicle's existing speaker system, overriding the radio.

In an effort to ensure safe driving while using the hands-free system, the Chrysler Group's offering requires only the push of a button to make or complete a telephone call.

All other functions are voice activated. Calls are placed either by voice, digit-specific dialing or by accessing the system's audio address book, which can be customized by the user.

The communication system will be available in an aftermarket version in the spring of 2002, with factory-installed availability in early 2003.

The Saab Active Head Restraint system

Saab Automobile was recently recognized at the 2001 World Traffic Safety Symposium as the winner of the 2001 Safety Achievement Award. The award was based on the development and implementation of the Saab Active Head Restraint system (SAHR). The system was designed to protect front seat occupants against whiplash-related injuries resulting from a rear collision.

The innovative SAHR system operates using a lever mechanism. An upper padded support is connected to a pressure plate in the backrest of the seat. In certain rear collisions, the impact forces the occupants' body into the backrest, which moves the pressure plate towards the rear. Subsequently, the head restraint is designed to move upward and forward to "catch" the occupants' head before whiplash movement can start. The precise activation of the system is determined by the force with which the front-seat occupants' back is forced against the backrest, the magnitude of collision forces, and by the occupants' weight.

Saab first introduced SAHR on its 9-5 model in 1998 and has since made the system standard on all Saab models worldwide.

The U.S. Department of Transportation estimates that there are more than 800,000 cases of whiplash annually in the U.S, with an average cost of $4.2 billion each year.  

GM recently announced that it would initiate a pilot program using Covisint Fulfillment, a global e-business exchange that provides the auto industry with product development, procurement and supply chain tools, to help improve its Order-to-Delivery period.

Covisint Fulfillment will provide GM with a window to its suppliers, facilitating supply chain responsiveness, efficiency and synchronization. Once integrated into the plants, the technology will enable improvements in communications, management of inventory and linking systems between GM and its suppliers.

Key attributes of Covisint Fulfillment include real-time monitoring of current inventory levels, in-transit inventories and other relevant information between manufacturers and suppliers. By improving communications and streamlining e-business transactions, GM hopes to better serve its fleet and retail customers.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is considering tougher crush-resistance standards on car and truck roofs to help reduce fatal injuries during rollovers.

The agency stated that a study of accident data from 1995 through 1999 showed that drivers and passengers were nearly six times more likely to die in a rollover accident than in a front-end crash. In conclusion, the study showed that that 26 percent of occupants suffered serious or fatal injuries during a rollover accident.

The findings prompted NHTSA to consider new rollover testing methods, which would replace the current method of piling 1.5 times the weight of the vehicle onto the roof to determine its crush-resistance. The current test was designed in 1973 and some experts agree that it does not factor in the dynamics of a real-life rollover and fails to meet the needs of changing auto trends.

Effective November 9, 2001, prices will increase for the 2002 MY Volvo S80 to compensate for enhancements to the standard equipment. Beginning on the effective date, all S80 2.9 models will include standard security laminated glass and all S80T6 models will receive standard security laminated glass, dynamic stability traction control and 17" alloy wheels. In addition, both models will be painted with a monochromatic exterior.

As a result of this production change, the S80 2.9 Special Option Group package and the S80T6 Special Option Group package will be discontinued. Orders received after November 9, 2001 will not be eligible for the above-mentioned option groups.

OnStar subscribers are now able to access CNNRadio news, business and financial reports and other information through OnStar's hands-free, voice-activated Virtual Advisor Service.

Content from CNN available through the OnStar Virtual Advisor includes:

• News reports from CNN radio every half hour
• Hourly business and financial reports from CNN and CNNfn
• Sports reports at selected times of the day
• Entertainment news

Virtual Advisor, which is available on all 2001 and 2002 MY OnStar-equipped vehicles, also allows the subscriber to access other location-based news, as well as connect to the Internet and receive e-mail.

For more information about Virtual Advisor, please visit the OnStar website at http://www.onstar.com.

Infiniti, the luxury division of Nissan North America, Inc., recently announced that it will maintain 2001 prices on its popular QX4 sport utility vehicle for 2002. The new QX4 is priced at $35,550 MSRP. The two-wheel drive model has an MSRP of $34,150.

For 2002, QX4 receives interior enhancements including a refined audio system with a redesigned one-piece faceplate, faster functioning in-dash 6-disc CD player, Radio Data System (RDS) and a new optional steering wheel with genuine wood and new audio controls. Also available is an Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC) system. The state-of-the-art ICC system projects a laser signal from the QX4 to the vehicle in front of it, then automatically adjusts the QX4's speed to maintain an appropriate following distance.

QX4's exterior styling has been enhanced for 2002 with available 17-inch chrome alloy wheels and seven new exterior colors. The interior is available in two colors, Graphite or Stone Beige. Color-specific genuine Bird's-eye maple wood trim complements each interior color.

QX4 provides outstanding acceleration and handling with its 3.5-liter DOHC V6, which produces 240 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 265 lb-ft of torque at 3,200 rpm. Additionally, its All-Mode 4WD is one of the most advanced automatic 4-wheel drive systems in the industry.

The 2002 Infiniti QX4 can be ordered "direct" through ARI's network of preferred dealers. Please contact your Client Support Service Representative for assistance.

GMC is creating a new version of the Sierra Heavy Duty 4WD Extended Cab full-size pickup - the Sierra Pro Plus concept. Powered by a supercharged Vortec 6000 V8, the Pro Plus represents the next step in professional grade trucks for contractors, builders and other tradesmen. With quarter side storage and a removable split rear seat that can be replaced by portable multi-bin organizers, the Pro Plus expands on ideas introduced on the production model GMC Sierra Professional, first showcased at the 1999 Special Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show.

Like the Sierra Professional, the Pro Plus features a floor console and a rear under-seat storage box, both lockable. Extending from the instrument panel to the back of the front seats, the Magna floor console includes a Palm Pilot and cell phone storage station with charging outlets, along with temperature-controlled cupholder and removable cooler. The center console can be easily converted to provide hanging file-folder storage. Convenient nets on the underside of the lid and on the backside of the console offer additional storage. The reconfigurable under-seat storage box offers over two cubic feet of space for larger tools.

The Sierra Pro Plus adds even more cargo management capability, including a 60-40 split bench rear seat, with the 40-percent portion being removable. In place of the removable portion, portable multi-bin organizers serve as a toolbox on wheels. A Panasonic Toughbook laptop computer is integrated into the rear door panel on the driver's side, while a tool kit organizer has been built into the passenger-side rear door panel. A hook system on back of the front seats holds a storage tube for keeping blueprints or other oversized documents.

For enhanced interior comfort, the Sierra Pro Plus concept is outfitted with driver- and passenger-side Grammer Air Ride seats, which include a massaging lumbar system.

Several exterior features have been designed to help professionals organize their tools. Rear quarter panels open up to reveal a hollowed-out storage area with toolbox, tool trays, tool kits, storage buckets, portable snake lights, blueprint clips and interchangeable bins designed for specific trades. A Magna Reconfigurable Tailgate Module doubles as either a ramp or a bed extender. A GM Accessories Bed-Rack carrying system has been enhanced on this vehicle with side mounts that hold ladders, wood, pipe or other construction materials. For trailering or attaching a rack, the Pro Plus is equipped with a Reese Dual Port System hitch.

Under the hood, the Sierra Pro Plus has a Magnuson supercharged engine package from GM Performance Parts. The supercharger, currently under consideration for future production, boosts maximum horsepower of the Vortec 6000 V8 engine by 20 percent, to 328, and maximum torque by 23 percent, to 356 lb-ft. The vehicle is also equipped with a spill-proof, maintenance-free ACDelco Professional Platinum Battery, and a Directed Electronics VSL 4200 vehicle security system with digital tilt and motion sensor concepts available from GM Accessories.

GM has not indicated whether the Sierra Pro Plus will become a full-scale production vehicle in the future. The Sierra Professional, which has similar equipment and applications as the Pro Plus, will begin production this December.