At the Chicago Auto Show, Chrysler showcased a new dimension in luxury minivans the 1999 Chrysler Town & Country Limited. A more distinctive and upscale version of the company's popular Town & Country luxury minivan, the Limited, will begin production in March at the St. Louis Assembly Plant in Fenton, Missouri.
Ralph Sarotte, General Product Manager, said "This new Town & Country Limited gives customers added luxury plus the roominess, comfort, and versatility of a Chrysler Corporation minivan."
Since the limited is positioned as an alternative to a luxury sedan, it comes fully equipped, with only trailer tow and all-wheel drive available as options.
New interior features available only on the Limited include upgraded leather seats with simulated suede trim; a new rear bench seat design with a center arm rest; dual zone temperature control; steering wheel radio controls; and heavier carpeting for a quieter, softer feel to the inside.
On the outside, the Limited will feature spoked chrome 16-inch wheels and chrome door handles; body color cladding and body color roof rack; and distinctive badging, including the Chrysler wing badge on the liftgate.
The High-output 3.8-liter V-6 engine, generating 180 horsepower and 240 pound feet of torque will power this minivan.
Four exterior colors will be offered: Candy Apple Red, Deep Slate, Golden White and Taupe Frost, with one interior color, Taupe.
The new 1999 Town and Country is priced at $34,115 (MSRP), including destination charge. The All-Wheel drive model is $36,490. Orders are being taken now for this new model. Contact your ARI Representative for more information.
Overall Length 199.6 in. Overall Width 76.8 in. Wheelbase 119.3 in. Cargo Capacity 87.4 cu. ft. (w/ rear bench removed) Fuel Tank Capacity 20.0 gal. Curb Weight 4,164 lbs.
The TrailBlazer, scheduled for release during the 1999 model year, is an upscale 4-door version of Chevy's popular Blazer compact sport utility.
"Today's sport utility owners are not only buying the performance and added security that comes with buying a truck, they're buying image," said Russ Clark, Chevy Blazer Brand Manager. "Whether they're driving off-road, or negotiating a crowded freeway, they want to know that Blazer can provide both ruggedness and refinement in one package."
TrailBlazer is aimed at sport utility buyers looking to make a distinctive, personal statement with special features including:
* A sporty, monotone exterior, featuring the TrailBlazer name.
* Body-color front bumper and fascia, bodyside moldings, rocker moldings and outside rearview mirrors.
* Special aluminum wheels with bronze accents.
* Z85 touring suspension (4WD models), which includes de Carbon gas shocks, P235/75R15 on-off-road tires, and firmer spring rates for a sporty feel and tight handling.
* Special two-toned leather trimmed seats with embroidered logos on the headrest, and the TrailBlazer name embroidered on the door panels.
* Leather-wrapped steering wheel and unique floor mats.
The additional cost for the TrailBlazer package is expected to be around $2,000.
The Web Marketing Association awarded Buick its "Outstanding Web Site" award for 1997. In the inaugural competition, a panel of independent internet professionals, representing the various relevant disciplines of web site development, judged more than 200 sites. Each entry is judged against a standard of excellence and then against the other entries in the category in areas including design, navigation, innovation, and audience usefulness.
At the Buick Site found at www.Buick.Com visitors can access a wide array of Buick information.
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars took advantage of the media preview at the Geneva International Motor Show, in early March, for a lavish debut of the , its first completely new car in 18 years. This is only the ninth completely new Rolls-Royce in over 90 years.
Born a little more than three years ago, created and built in a new manufacturing facility at Crewe, England, the new Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph enjoys the finest quality materials, timeless craftsmanship and classic styling.
The new name, Silver Seraph Seraph is defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as "A celestial being of the highest order, associated especially with light, ardor and purity." It has a new V12 engine, 5-speed adaptive transmission and new suspension. The graceful exterior styling is a contemporary treatment of classic Rolls-Royce themes.
Nissan and Infiniti announced in February, the availability of a Cellular Phone Docking Station for all of its vehicles, except the Quest and the QX4. It will give customers a more flexible and safer cellular phone conversation.
This hands-free speakerphone system is used in conjunction with the Motorola portable cellular telephone. The docking station consists of four components a permanently installed cellular phone housing unit, a remote steering wheel mounted switch, an external microphone and speaker mounted in the vehicle, and an external mounted antenna to enable the hands-free operation. The docking station is permanently installed, concealed in the vehicle's center console or the glove box.
The wireless remote pad is mounted on the steering wheel or other location of choice. The keypad features six different functions, including two switches that allow the user to scroll up or down a list of 10 speed dial numbers (programmable voice tags are announced to identify each memory location). Two additional buttons control volume and the other two are used to send and end a call. When installed at the time of purchase, all Infiniti accessories are covered by the 4-year/60,000-mile New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
General Motors announced to their dealers on February 23, 1998 that effective with new orders received after March 2, 1998, truck prices would increase by $100 (MSRP) on all full size pickups, chassis cab models and $50 on all S-10 pickups. In addition, certain optional equipment would increase by $25 to $100. A full list of increases is available upon request.
On March 2, 1998, at the Geneva, Switzerland, Ford Motor Company unveiled the Focus, a curvy, more fuel-efficient replacement for the Escort.
Focus is the first all-new vehicle developed for sale under the Ford 2000 globalization of product development. Focus will go on sale this fall in Europe. It will be sold in the United States in the fall of 1999 as a year-2000 model.
The Focus boasts more legroom and headroom in both front and back seats than the Escort, but is a lighter car, resulting in a 25 percent gain in fuel economy. The new design should save Ford $1,000 a car in production costs in the United States, according to a Ford spokesperson.
Here is a listing of web sites for domestic and import automotive manufacturers.
ARI Pool Vehicle Inventory
Cyl
Dr
6
4
99266
98097
88073X
98024
Trucks
620034
8
26895
05578
10564
98002
98071
97036
When a "Stock Purchase" is desired, you may consider using a vehicle from the ARI "Pool" to save money and time. Call your ARI representative for details!