The automobile has
corne a long ways.
"Mercedes I think it is
a status thing. A
Mercedes is a state
ment of being
successful. Many
professionals like
athletes or doctors
drive Mercedes ”
By Jacqueline Mitchell
M AZDA
We would like to say, “Mazda Killed the RX-
7, that’s it for 1997.” But that wouldn't be
fair, even if it is speaking Irom the heart.
We can only hope that the demise of this
legendary sports car doesn't shelve the
company s use o f that marvelous rotary en
gine in the U.S. I he MILLENIA sedan,
Mazda’s excellent flagship since the demise
of the 929, offers little new for '97 except
updated headlights and a new console. Stan
dard engine for the base and L models is a
l 70hp 2.5L V-6; the S gets that leading edge,
210hp 2.3L supercharged “Miller cycle" en
gine.
Cadillac OnStar System
ISU ZU
lsuzu welcomes the ’97 model year with its
OASIS minivan. It it looks familiar, very fa
miliar, it’s because it is a specially-produced
version of the H onda Odyssey. Like the
Honda, it’s powered with the same l40hp
2.2L four. Oasis offers a great ride for up to
seven people thanks to its race-derived sus
pension.
K IA
Like Hyundai, Kia is also based in South
Korea, and its claim to fame is the nicely
appointed and affordable SEPHIA sedan.
Base power is a 122hp 1.8L tour, except in
California, where it gets a 105hp 1,6L four.
There’s also the SPORTAGE mini-SUV—
competition tor Toyotas RAV4 — that is
possessed o f “brickhouse" underpinnings. It
comes with a 2W D or 4W D drive layout
and gets the 122hp 1.8L four.
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AFRICAN AMERICANS ON WHEELS
Cheryl Jones
Phoenix, AZ
Michele Kimbrow
Long Island. NY
Gene Kimbrow
Long Island. NY
ACURA
The one Acura that never ceases to amaze is
the 17Ohp 2.2L V T E C four-pow ered
IN T E G R A GS-R. If vour pocketbook
doesn’t permit your driving away with an
$80,000 NSX supercar, check out this gem
for about 1/4 the price with halt the perfor
m ance. N o changes o f substance
for ’97, b u t it is one of those
th in g s th a t still m ake you go
hm m m m m m m ......The delightful CL se
ries coupe, like the original Legend, is creat
ing its own category. Feel free to acquire
the base 145hp 2.2L four, but it you are into
“joyful noises,” then opt tor the 200hp
VTEC V-6.
“Oldsmobiles because
they are affordable
luxury cars. I own
a Lincoln Town Car
because I like a lot of
room and rear-wheel
drive.”
“I would have to say Cadillac,
although I drive a Nissan. They
are the most affordable luxury
cars geared towards the black
community. Most of their commer
cials are directed toward African-
American families.”
B M W Side Airbag
The automobile has come a long way. The first vehicles didn’t have win
dows, heaters, turn signals, radios or seatbelts -- all amenities and safety features
taken for granted today. But as the style and performance of the automobile
evolved over the past 100 years, so has auto technology. The 1997 model year is
no different. Following are highlights of advanced safety and technological
features now available on certain models.
Probably one of the most exciting new technologies to hit the market this
model year is a computer system using an advanced global positioning satellite
and cellular phone network to link drivers to an emergency system with a touch
of a button. W ith Cadillac's OnStar system and Lincoln’s Remote Emergency
Satellite Cellular Unit (RESCU), drivers can contact an emergency center and
receive roadside assistance or medical, police or fire emergency at any location.
Even if the driver is unable to verbally communicate with the center, it can still
dispatch help to the vehicle after receiving a distress signal.
Porsche and BMW were the first companies to introduce a transmission that
allows drivers to switch between an automatic or clutchless manual transmission
with a flick of the wrist. Chrysler introduced the Autostick in 1996 on its Eagle
Vision TSi, but now is making it optional on certain Dodge and Chrysler mod
els.
Mercedes’ Parktronic system, which alerts the driver with an in-dash light
and beeper as the vehicle approaches an object, makes parking easier. The closer
the vehicle gets to an object, the faster the light will blink and beep.
Cadillac and Mercedes are offering advanced braking systems that sense when
the rear or front o f a vehicle is not going in the direction being steered. The
appropriate brakes are signaled to respond, thus guiding the vehicle back on
course.
BMW has loaded its 8-Series vehicles with more airbags than any other ve
hicle in the U.S. , with a total of eight. In addition to having four airbags for
front-seating passengers and two airbags for rear-seating passengers, BMW has
placed two airbags in the ceiling for front-seating passengers to help prevent
whiplash in an accident. Mercedes is also providing a passenger-side airbag that
will only deploy if it detects a weight of over 25 pounds.
And drivers who want the feel o f a convertible year-round, might want to
take a look at Mercedes’ new transparent, glass hard top.
“We would have to say
Chrysler because they offer
bigger rebates on certain models
which stimulate more sales
Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Smith
Toledo. OH
"General Motors Their cars are more
economical and durable. They are the
best American made cars because
they last longer. I like American made
products anyway.”
Gerry Walker
Memphis. TN
GM/MINORITY
DEALERS LAUNCH
YOUTH PROGRAM
G eneral M otors M inority D ealer D evelopm ent
(GM M DD) has joined forces with GM's Youth Educa
tional Systems (GMYES) to help identify and train a
new generation of minority technicians. “Finding quali
fied minorities to work in the
technical service area o f GM
dealerships has been next to im
possible,” said Leon McDaniel,
general director o f G M M D D .
“We want to correct this situa
tion by tapping into urban com
m unity schools and finding
youths interested in more than
just a job.” The school-to-work
program targets 11 th and 12th
graders whose high school cur
riculums are coordinated with
on-the-job training.
“As far as my family goes, we have
been happy with Toyota for over 10
years We have always gotten superb
service and according to my husband
they are easy to maintain and all parts
are accessible Our most recent Toyota
is a 11-year-old Camry and we have
just passed it on to our son."
Annie Gavin
Potomac, MD
CARS NOW MORE
AFFORDABLE
Cars are more affordable today than they were six years ago.
Buving an average-priced new vehicle in the first quarter of 1996
required 28.8 weeks of median family income before taxes, the low
est number since 1990, according to the Detroit-based Gomerica
Bank.
Contributing factors: a one-halt percent drop in average financ
ing costs; a $223 drop in average consumer outlay after rebate; low
unemployment; a $500 rise in median income, and changes in the
wav the Department of (Commerce calculates the average price of
new cars. Under the old method, the average cost of a new car in the
third quarter o f 1994 was ar $20,247. The new method recalcu
lates it at $18,993.
WINDSHIELD WIPER LAW
GAINS MOMENTUM
Drivers using their windshield wipers will also have to
turn on their headlights, according to a new Illinois law. Be
tween 1990 and 1993, there was an average o f97,065 crashes
in the state during wet weather. Illinois is one of eight states
that have a wiper/lights law; the others are New Jersey, Con
necticut, Georgia, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina, and
West Virginia.
AFRICAN AMERICANS ON WHEELS
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