1025 bg cover.qxp - Autoweek

AUTOWEEK < ’07 BUYERS GUIDE
PANOZ
Panoz Auto Development panozauto.com
ESPERANTE/ESPERANTE GT/
ESPERANTE GTLM
HIGHLIGHTS Mostly unchanged.
BASE PRICE $92,256
WHAT’S NEXT MK II Esperante sometime next year with a new
aluminum/carbon fiber chassis, new interior and
freshened fascias.
OUR OPINION An American exotic that separates you from the run-of-themill
Corvettes and Vipers.
PONTIAC
General Motors Corp. pontiac.com
G5
HIGHLIGHTS Cobalt sibling with 2.2-liter, 148-hp four-cylinder engine for
base models; GT gets a 2.4-liter, 173-hp four, sport-tuned
suspension, 17-inch aluminum wheels and fog lamps.
BASE PRICE $15,610
WHAT’S NEXT Nothing immediately.
OUR OPINION More than just a badge; some engineering, too.
G6
HIGHLIGHTS 3.6-liter with six-speed automatic standard on GTP. Coupe
and sedan come standard with side-impact airbags.
Seventeen-inch five-spoke wheels are new.
BASE PRICE $18,295
WHAT’S NEXT Redesign for 2010 on Epsilon 2 platform.
OUR OPINION A good all-around player with a sweet panoramic roof option.
GRAND PRIX
HIGHLIGHTS New colors, tire pressure monitor.
BASE PRICE $22,245
WHAT’S NEXT Gone after 2008; replaced by rwd G8?
OUR OPINION Practical performance.
SOLSTICE
HIGHLIGHTS GXP with turbocharged 2.0-liter Ecotec four producing
260 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, StabiliTrak, front and rear
fascia extensions and stainless-steel dual-exhaust outlets.
Non-GXP cars’ preferred package provides power everything
and keyless entry. Two-way power seats standard
on all models.
BASE PRICE $20,995
WHAT’S NEXT Coupe next year. Power output increases yearly until redesign
in 2011.
OUR OPINION Hot roadster gets better, more exciting.
TORRENT
HIGHLIGHTS Four-wheel disc brakes, StabiliTrak, driver information cente
tire pressure monitor and rear spoiler standard.
BASE PRICE $23,305
WHAT’S NEXT May jump to the GMC family in 2008.
OUR OPINION Chevy Equinox or Pontiac Torrent? Which dealer is closer to
your home?
VIBE
HIGHLIGHTS New-wave blue paint, optional cargo cover.
BASE PRICE $17,730
WHAT’S NEXT Depends on Toyota’s plans for the Matrix sister car.
OUR OPINION An efficient, practical Toyota-based Pontiac.
PORSCHE
Porsche Cars North America www.porsche.com
911
HIGHLIGHTS Four new versions for 2007: 415-hp track-focused
GT3 model; 480-hp 911 Turbo (available now); Targa 4 and
Targa 4S versions coming with sliding glass roof, glass rear
hatch and all-wheel drive. Familiar 325-hp 3.6-liter flat-six
powers the Targa 4, while the 4S uses Porsche’s 3.8-liter th
makes 355 hp.
BASE PRICE $73,195
WHAT’S NEXT Porsche’s long-awaited double-clutch gearbox (PDK).
OUR OPINION Remains one of the greatest driver’s cars ever.
BOXSTER/BOXSTER S
HIGHLIGHTS Variable intake valve timing and lift control add 5 hp to
Boxster’s 2.7-liter flat-six (total is 245), while Boxster S
moves to 3.4 liters and 295 hp. Optional Tiptronic automatic
revised for improved response.
BASE PRICE $46,395
WHAT’S NEXT Freshening may come next year.
OUR OPINION The roadster benchmark.
CAYMAN/CAYMAN S
HIGHLIGHTS Base version of mid-engine coupe joins range, powered by
245-hp, 2.7-liter flat-six.
BASE PRICE $50,195
WHAT’S NEXT Nothing for now.
OUR OPINION Better Boxster or 911 alternative? Either way, it’s one
sweet experience.
CAYENNE/CAYENNE S/CAYENN
TURBO/CAYENNE TURBO S
HIGHLIGHTS Officially, there will be no 2007 Cayenne, but dealers will se
2006 models until freshened 2008 arrives next year.
BASE PRICE $43,015
WHAT’S NEXT Facelift for 2008 and redo for 2009 with a hybrid
joining the range.
OUR OPINION Amazing dynamics in a 5000-pound package.
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