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| 2003-01-03 | ||
January 3, 2003
Rüsselsheim/Los Angeles. The launch of the first Pontiac GTO back in 1964 rang in the era of the US "Muscle cars", and this famous name is now celebrating a splendid comeback. At the beginning of January, General Motors' sporty marque will present a show car version of the new GTO at the Los Angeles Auto Show and the North Amercan International Auto Show in Detroit. It is due to go on the American market on a full-scale basis at the end of 2003. With its longitudinally installed 5.7-liter V8 engine and rear wheel drive, the attractive 2+2-seater coupe follows the historical GTO success formula down to the last detail. The power unit stems from the current Corvette but has been given even greater power for its new job. Its estimated performance figures of 340 bhp/250 kW at 5,200 rpm with a maximum torque of around 500 Nm at 4,000 rpm make an acceleration from 0 – 100 km/h in under six seconds and a maximum speed above 250 km/h a distinct possibility. There will a choice between a four-speed autmatic and a six-speed manual transmission. Whereas its historical predecessor (of which more than 500,000 were built up until 1974) was developed on the basis of the Pontiac Tempest, the new GTO is based on the Monaro of the Australian GM marque, Holden. The coupe will also be built on the fifth continent – with a maximum production of 18,000 a year. The technical features of the new GTO, which will make its show car debut in a special high-gloss paint in red or yellow with matching leather interior, include four-wheel vented disc brakes with four-channel ABS, a short axle transmission ratio (3.46:1) with locking differential for maximum acceleration, plus 18-inch wheels. World premiere: Cadillac XLR luxury roadster coupe The new Cadillac XLR luxury roadster coupe will also be making its first public appearance in Los Angeles. The two-seater, with its expressive design in the unmistakable new style of the American luxury marque, has a retractable hardtop roof and is powered by an upgraded version of the famous Northstar V8 engine. Its key data: 4.6 liter displacement, four overhead camshafts, 315 bhp/235 kW at 6,400 rpm, 438 Nm at 4,000 rpm, 0 - 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds. The interior of the XLR, which is due to go into production in spring 2003 and will reach Europe some time later, is dominated by an unusual mixture of eucalyptus wood, aluminum and leather. Instruments styled with the help of Italian designer Bvlgari provide that special touch. Other exclusive design features of the new Cadillac include a head-up display, heated/cooled seats, a keyless locking system with a start button and a DVD player. Another technical highlight is provided by the steplessly adjustable shock absorbers of the "Magnetic Ride Control". The Chevrolet SSR, also on show in Los Angeles, represents a completely different concept of sportiness. This extravagant combination of pickup and roadster in the retro look also has a retractable hardtop, and attracted a considerable amount of attention when it was first shown as a study vehicle. It is due on the US market in summer 2003. Initially, 25 highly unusual 'special issue' signature models will be produced in the color "ultraviolet" and will be sold at auctions. Common to all the SSRs are the 5.3-liter aluminum block V8 engine and the four-speed automatic transmission to drive the rear wheels. The typical American "street machine" has 19" wheels and tires at the front and 20" at the back. | ||
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