1998 AUTO REVIEW
HYUNDAI
Hyundai Accent GL
T he big news in the 1998 line-up for Korea's
largest automaker is the Accent, an entry-level small
car which com petes against the likes of the Toyota
Tercel and G eo M etro. Accent gets a new front and
rear bum per fascia, taillamps, body-side moldings
and restvled wheel covers. Also, the sporty GT model
has been renamed the GSi with some added ameni
ties now included as standard equipment. Earlier this
vear, Hyundai rolled out the sports-Tiburon, a coupe
version o f its Elantra.
«
Isuzu Rodeo LS
An improved compact Rodeo debuts in the new
model year w ith a fresh look. Expect a better ride,
improved road handling, quieter interior and more
powerful engine. T his Japanese niche player in the
light truck segment will also revive the Amigo sport-
utility som etim e next year as a 1998 model. T he
Amigo, p an o f the automotive landscape from 1989
through 1994, was a Jeep-like tw o-door sport-util
ity w ith a soft-top. T he Amigo and the Rodeo will
share Isuzu’s Lafayette, Ind. production facility, but
the Amigo won’t begin production until the Rodeo
has ramped up satisfactorily.
KIA
Subaru Impreza 25RS
A longer and wider Sephia hits the streets in the
new model vear, with a Kia-built 1,8-liter engine
instead o f a M azda unit. U nlike the 1997 line-up
which offered three trim levels, only the RS and the
LS versions will be available in 1998. For California,
the optional 1,6-liter engine will no longer be of
fered. O ther changes: T he Sportage baby sport-util
ity gets a new, more rounded face and tail as well as a
new two-door, soft top model available in the first
quarter o f 98.
SUBARU
Suzuki Esteem Wagon
Finally, a sport-utility vehicle, or something simi
lar to one, is added to the fleet. T he all-new Forester
wa^on shares the same chassis as the Impreza Outback
Sport. Subaru has added a new version of the Impreza
coupe, the 2.5RS, which packs a 2.5-liter engine
instead o f the 2.2-liter. Its suspension, brakes, shift
linkage, and interior have been tweaked. I he sporty
Legacy 2.5GT, already available in sedan and wagon
form, is now offered in a Limited sedan model.
SUZUKI
New to the Suzuki fleet is the Esteem Wagon,
which was introduced in August as a 1998 model.
It shares the Esteem sedans 95-horsepower, SO H C
1,6-liter four-cylinder engine and 97.6-inch wheel
base, but its overall length has been stretched 5.9
inches. There is also plenty of cargo space behind the
front passenger seats, up to 61 cubic feet with the
rear seats folded.
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