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USA: 2005 Model Preview

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2005 Model Year Preview
by Perry Stern
MSN Autos

Sure, it’s relatively early in 2004, but the 2005 models have already begun arriving in showrooms. And this fall even more brand new models, ranging from sports cars to hybrid SUVs, will come to market. Here are the highlights of what we know so far...

ASTON MARTIN


Aston Martin has experienced great success since Ford Motor Company took ownership in 1994. Hoping to build on this success, the exclusive British marque will bring to market the all-new DB9 Coupe and Volante (convertible) this spring. This replacement for the DB7 is unmistakably an Aston Martin: it has a longer wheelbase and wider track, but length and width are only marginally larger than the DB7. The DB9 features an aluminum-bonded frame, which is both very lightweight and strong. The body shell, which is also aluminum-intensive, is both 25 percent lighter than and twice as rigid as in the body of the DB7. The new DB9 boasts a top speed of 186 mph, made possible by a 6.0-liter V12 engine producing 450 horsepower. Teamed with a 6-speed manual transmission, the DB9 runs to 60 mph in just 4.7 seconds.

FORD


Ford is calling 2004 “The Year of the Car,” and the company definitely has the product to back it up. Likely to make the biggest splash when it goes on sale this fall is the 2005 Mustang. An American icon celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, the Mustang has been completely redesigned, taking design cues from its celebrated past and combining them with a fully modern structure and chassis. Inside the Mustang a unique instrument panel allows drivers to change the backlight color to suit their personality. "We weren’t just redesigning a car, we were adding another chapter to an epic," said J Mays, Ford Motor Company group vice president of design. Mustang will be available with a choice of two engines. The base will feature a 200-horsepower V6, while the GT sports a V8 producing 300 horsepower. Both models will have a base MSRP less than $20,000. For anyone requiring more performance, the car to look for is the Ford GT. The new Ford GT delivers on Ford’s promise to produce a 200-mph supercar for less than $150,000—pricing has been set at $139,900.



Offering considerably more room and utility than a GT is the new Five Hundred sedan. This new flagship is about a foot shorter than a Crown Victoria, but offers 128 cubic feet of interior volume. The trunk space can handle up to eight full-size golf bags—for those in need of that sort of thing. The Five Hundred will also feature a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and available all-wheel drive. Inside, the driver sits about four inches higher than most midsize sedans, and rear-seat passengers enjoy more legroom than a Rolls-Royce. At the other end of the passenger car lineup, the 2005 Focus features an updated exterior with an all-new interior. The new Focus lineup will run 32 percent cleaner than the already low-emission 2003 lineup. Ford also enters the crossover market this fall with the all-new Freestyle. Utilizing an all-wheel-drive system from Ford’s Volvo division, the Freestyle was designed to appeal to consumers who want an SUV image but don’t need an SUV. The Freestyle comfortably seats seven, and the rear seats can all be folded flat for a versatile cargo area. Three trim levels will be offered, with front or all-wheel drive. Last but not least, Ford is finally coming to market with the long-awaited Escape Hybrid. With a gas-electric hybrid system, this first production hybrid SUV should offer the power of a V6 with the fuel economy of a four-cylinder engine. In a real-world test through Manhattan during rush hour, the Escape Hybrid achieved 38 mpg, traveling almost 600 miles on one tank of fuel. Both front- and four-wheel drive will be available.

JAGUAR


The 2005 XJ Long Wheelbase sedans will go on sale for the U.S. market in September, offering additional rear-seat room derived from a 5-inch increase in the wheelbase. Jaguar has also made improvement to the S-TYPE and XK Series cars for 2005. The 2005 S-TYPE receives subtle yet extensive design changes to the exterior, including a crisper look to the front end and bolder proportions at the rear. The redesigned hood is now made of aluminum to improve weight distribution. Panel fit is tighter throughout the car. The XK Series also receive subtle but significant upgrades for 2005 with a lower front profile, new side sills and new wheels. The XK8 grille receives a full-width splitter, while the rear of the car gets larger dual exhaust outlets. The high-performance supercharged XKR versions receive a new mesh grille, quad exhaust outlets and a larger rear spoiler.

LAND ROVER


The 2005 Land Rover LR3 will replace the Discovery this fall, and is designed to offer improved levels of interior space and a great on-road driving experience, while continuing to offer the legendary off-road capability expected from a Land Rover. An all-new vehicle with a distinctive Land Rover look, the LR3 has a front end treatment similar to the flagship Range Rover, short overhangs and a bold overall appearance. The interior accommodates up to seven persons, and is designed to offer more passenger room and comfort than its predecessor. The LR3 is powered by a Jaguar-sourced 300-horsepower 4.4-liter V8 tuned to deliver the power required, particularly for off-road use. The engine is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, with permanent all-wheel-drive and fully independent electronic air suspension. New technology includes a “Terrain Response” system designed to maximize vehicle capability in different settings. The driver selects one of five terrain settings and the electronic controls and traction systems are optimized for the surface selected. A DVD navigation system and adaptive headlights are also offered. The roof design features three glass panels, including one sunroof. The LR3 includes an asymmetrical split-tailgate for access to the cargo area, and both second- and third-row seats fold flat to maximize cargo capacity.

LINCOLN


A few years ago, Lincoln tried its luck with a pickup truck called Blackwood that didn’t have great success. Now the luxury marque from Ford Motor Company is making a new attempt and hoping to avoid some of the mistakes it made the first time around. Based on the redesigned 2004 Ford F-150, the Mark LT has a bold grille similar to that of the Lincoln Navigator, where the 8-inch-by-2-inch Lincoln star in the center glows with white backlighting. Other details include chrome accents, 20-inch chrome-plated wheels, chrome running boards and a luxurious interior with white instrument lighting. The Mark LT is “for people who own land, have big toys and know how to live and travel in style,” said Darryl Hazel, Lincoln-Mercury president. The Mark LT has four full-size doors and a 5.5-foot-long pickup bed. Power comes from a 300-horsepower 5.4-liter Triton V8 capable of producing 365 lb-ft of torque at 3750 rpm. Both 4X2 and 4X4 versions will be available. Pricing has not yet been announced. Also coming in 2005 will be the all-new Zephyr entry-level sedan. Designed to attract a younger buyer to the Lincoln brand, the Zephyr "teaser" that was unveiled at the New York Auto Show gives a good indication of what the final production version of this sedan will look like. The Zephyr is built on Ford Motor Company's CD3 midsize platform, tuned specifically for the Lincoln brand. This platform is used for the Mazda6 and will be the basis of the upcoming Ford midsize sedan that will replace the Taurus.

MERCURY


The Mercury division has a number of new vehicles in the pipeline as part of Ford Motor Company’s “Year of the Car,” and the first expected to arrive is the all-new Montego. The sister car to the Ford Five Hundred, the Montego midsize sedan features a new continuously variable transmission, class-leading interior room and available all-wheel drive. The Montego sports the trademark Mercury “waterfall” grille that began on the Mercury Mountaineer, and will likely be found on future Mercurys as well. Inside, the driver sits about four inches higher than in most midsize sedans, and rear-seat passengers enjoy more legroom than a Rolls-Royce. Montego will be available in Luxury and Premier trim levels when it goes on sale later this year. Also coming later this year is the new Mariner compact SUV. Built on the same platform as the Ford Escape, the Mariner is designed to bring contemporary Mercury design to customers who are looking for a compact urban SUV, but don’t need the cargo and passenger space of the larger, seven-passenger vehicle. In a speech at the New York Auto Show, Bill Ford, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Ford Motor Company, announced that a hybrid version of the Mariner would be available for the 2006 model year.

VOLVO


Volvo’s entry-level S40 sedan has been completely redesigned for the 2005 model year, featuring new styling, chassis and powertrains. The new model is shorter than its predecessor, but larger in every other dimension. A longer wheelbase and wider track mean the wheels get pushed out toward the corners of the car, giving the sedan an improved ride as well as a sportier appearance. Taller and wider, S40's interior space has grown and doors are larger for easier ingress and egress. The Swedish automaker hopes the new styling and enjoyable driving dynamics will attract a younger buyer who may not have previously considered purchasing a Volvo. Based on Volvo's Intelligent Vehicle Architecture (VIVA), the new S40 incorporates this unique approach to building a car that integrates everything from crashworthiness to dynamic styling and exciting driving characteristics. The S40 is available in two trims: 2.4i and T5. Both trims come well equipped; the T5 adds fog lights, automatic climate control, a trip computer, power front seats and special alloy wheels. The T5 also features the turbocharged 2.5-liter 5-cylinder engine that produces 218 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque at a low 1500 rpm. The 2.4i gets a normally aspirated 5-cylinder engine producing 168 horsepower. Both engines are teamed with a 5-speed automatic transmission; however, the T5 will be available later this summer with the same 6-speed manual transmission found in the high-performance S60R. Also available beginning this summer will be the wagon version of the S40, the V50. Both sedan and wagon will be available with front- or all-wheel drive.
 
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