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Chicago Auto Show coverage

2002 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport
2003 Mercury Marauder

Robert Gillette Garrett president
THE SPICE OF LIFE. Porsche officials have made no secret of their plans to develop a sports car/sport-ute hybrid. But they’re finally beginning to disclose some hard details on the Cayenne, which will hit the road in 2003. Though Porsche and Volkswagen will share production at a new plant in Leipzig, Germany, each will get a distinctly different vehicle. The Porsche Cayenne will be positioned both above and below the 911, Porsche Cars North America President Fred Schwab revealed. That translates into three separate models, and three different powertrains: a V-6, a V-8 and a twin-turbo V-8. The hybrid will boast front and rear locking differentials, as well as an electronically-controlled height adjustment system. “Our intention is to have a vehicle that’s best-in-class in on-road performance, and more than competent off-road,” Schwab said. Porsche expects to build 25,000 Cayennes a year, with 60 percent earmarked for the U.S. Meanwhile, Schwab hinted a fourth product line could be in Porsche’s future, though no firm plans are yet in place.
2001 Mazda Premacy concept
READY FOR PRIME TIME? The Mazda Premacy has proved a strong contender in both Japan and Europe, but so far hasn’t made it to American shores, but that may soon change, according to Charlie Hughes, head of the automaker’s U.S. operations. It’s not easy to classify the Premacy, though it falls somewhere between a tall wagon and a hatchback. Based off the same platform as the Mazda Protégé, the 130-horsepower Premacy has a 2.3-inch longer wheelbase but measures 5.6 inches shorter overall. But the high roofline translates into plenty of cargo space and roomy, theater-style seating. The prototype shown at the Chicago Auto Show featured an array of high-tech hardware, including a navigation system and a minidisk player. Mazda plans to poll auto show attendees, and “if we get the reaction we think we will,” Hughes acknowledged, “it could come to market relatively quickly.” Look for a base price of “under $20,000.” In keeping with tradition, Mazda also used Chicago as the backdrop for introducing the latest Miata Special Edition, a 2002 model in British racing green, with a tan cloth top. Only 3000 will be imported.
For more on the Chicago show, click here.
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