2008 Model Year Preview
by Perry Stern MSN AUTOS
Chevrolet
2008 Chevrolet Malibu
The Malibu is arguably the most important passenger car in the Chevrolet lineup, so this midsize sedan's complete redesign for the 2008 model year is big news. Moving upscale in both design and content, the 2008 Malibu is more than three inches longer than its predecessor. Resulting from a six-inch wheelbase increase, the tires have been moved toward the corners of the car for a stronger-looking stance and better handling. Two engines will be available, including a 252-horsepower all-aluminum V6. Exterior styling represents a new face for Chevrolet, and inside features ambient lighting and an available panoramic sunroof. The new Malibu goes on sale later this year. In other news, the 2008 Corvette gets a new LS3 6.2-liter V8 that bumps power output to 430 horses. Wheels have been updated for the new model year and a number of new standard features have been added, including an MP3 jack, standard XM satellite radio, upgraded interior trim and a quicker-shifting automatic transmission.
Chrysler
2008 Chrysler Town & Country
While all other domestic automakers have abandoned the minivan, Chrysler refuses to walk away from the market it created back in 1983. So for 2008 the Town & Country is all new with fresh styling and a number of innovative interior features. Building on its trademarked “Stow ‘n Go” seats, the Town & Country will be available with a “Swivel ’n Go” seating system. The new system features second-row seats that swivel 180 degrees to face the third row, with a removable table that installs between the two rows. An integrated booster seat and power-folding rear seats are also available. But Chrysler knows that not everyone needs a minivan, which is why the automaker has also introduced the all-new 2008 Sebring Convertible. With seating for four adults, Sebring features an all-new exterior and interior styling. Sebring also offers a choice of three automatically latching power tops: vinyl, cloth and, for the first time, a body-color painted steel hardtop. All three can be retracted with the push of a button on the key fob.
Dodge
208 Dodge Avenger
The 2008 model year will be a busy one for Dodge, with four new or redesigned vehicles. All-new for 2008 is the Dodge Avenger. Sibling to the Chrysler Sebring sedan, the Avenger fits into the Dodge lineup below the Charger and clearly reflects the Dodge family resemblance. The first midsize sedan from the Detroit brand to offer all-wheel drive, the Avenger is equipped with a sport-tuned suspension, stability control and traction control. Avenger is also available with a heated/cooled front cupholder, a rear-seat DVD player and innovative MyGIG entertainment system that includes a 20-gigabyte hard drive for storing music and pictures. If more performance is in order, then the 2008 Dodge Viper will fit the bill. Already an incredibly powerful sports car, the Viper actually gets even more power for the new model year. Under its stylish new hood is an all-new 8.3-liter V10 engine pumping out an amazing 600 horsepower and a massive 560 lb-ft of torque. Apparently the introduction of the 505-horsepower Chevrolet Corvette Z06 didn’t sit well with the folks at Dodge. The automaker claims that this fire-breathing snake can reach 60 mph in less than four seconds!
Dodge
2008 Dodge Magnum
The Dodge Magnum also gets a facelift for the 2008 model year, featuring a new grille that's been stretched and lowered for a more powerful look. Looking even more aggressive is the Magnum SRT8 which now sports a functional hood scoop to feed cooling air into its 425-horsepower 6.1-liter HEMI V8. Interiors for all Magnums have been upgraded to provide a more upscale appearance. Sporting fresh new styling, the Dakota pickup offers a roomy interior, upgraded features and the ability to tow more than 7,000 lbs., which Dodge claims is best in class. Meanwhile, if passenger room is more important than a cargo bed, there’s the new 2008 Dodge Caravan. With fresh styling and an innovative interior, the Caravan is one of the few minivans left on the market (for more details, see the Chrysler Town & Country, above).
Ford
2008 Ford Escape
Ford started the 2008 model year very early with the introduction of the redesigned Escape and Escape Hybrid earlier this year. The fresh exterior design shares the styling of the rest of the Ford SUV family while the interior treatment feels more upscale. The underpinnings of the Escape remain primarily unchanged; however, the Escape Hybrid receives software updates to make the transition between electric and gasoline power smoother. One of Ford’s best-selling models also gets a new look for 2008. The Focus is redesigned from the ground up and features an all-new exterior as well as an updated interior. Available in a two-door coupe or 4-door sedan, Focus gets suspension and chassis refinements designed to provide a quieter ride as well as improved driving dynamics. Focus will also be available with Sync. Developed with Microsoft, Sync allows passengers to easily control cell phones, music players and other electronic equipment. Sync will also be available in a number of other Ford models, including the Edge, Explorer, Fusion and Taurus. Meanwhile, Ford has replaced the names Five Hundred and Freestyle with Taurus and Taurus X, respectively. The new Taurus features more than 500 engineering changes from the Five Hundred it replaces, according to Ford. This includes front-end styling similar to the Fusion, as well as a more powerful 3.5-liter V6 engine. Taurus is also available with all-wheel drive as well as Ford’s new Sync system. The Taurus X gets similar updates, including the fresh styling and more powerful engine.
Ford
2008 Ford F-350 SuperDuty
The workhorse of the Ford brand, the F-Series Super Duty is all-new (F-250 and F-350) for 2008 with a bold new exterior design as well as a completely redone interior. Available in regular cab, SuperCab and Crew Cab, the Super Duty lineup has been expanded for the new model year with the F-450 pickup. The F-450 rides on a unique chassis with a new rear leaf-spring suspension that gives the new truck a maximum payload in excess of 6,000 lbs. But what’s most impressive is its towing ability—the F-450 can tow more than 24,000 lbs., or almost five F-150s! In addition to the chassis improvements, the F-450 gets this capability from its new 6.4-liter Power Stroke diesel, which produces 650 lb-ft of torque at just 2200 rpm. Using Ford’s Clean Diesel Technology, which includes a high-pressure, common rail fuel system, Piezo-electric fuel injectors and an advanced diesel particulate filter system, emissions from the diesel are on par with similar gasoline engines. The new Super Duty receives a number of innovations, including a rear tailgate step and power telescoping side mirrors.
GMC
2008 GMC Yukon Hybrid
Yukon Hybrid is a full-size SUV that will use GM’s new two-mode hybrid system developed with DaimlerChrysler and BMW. In the first mode, the vehicle can run on only the electric motor, only the gas engine or both. This mode is designed to increase fuel economy in city driving and operates in similar fashion to the system in the Toyota Prius or Ford Escape Hybrid. The second mode provides an electric boost at highway speeds and uses GM’s Active Fuel Management to run the gasoline engine more efficiently when load is low. GM claims that the new system will increase fuel economy by 25 percent while maintaining the capability of a V8-powered Yukon, such as towing 6,000 lbs. In order to house the new hybrid components, the Yukon Hybrid features a new hood and front fascia.
Print | posted on Saturday, August 18, 2007 12:50 PM