Ford Rolls Out Three New Mercs at the Chicago Auto ShowMercurys
AP Auto Writer ED GARSTEN reported that Ford ever eager to prove the Mercury brand is alive and well, rolled out three new vehicles with the venerable nameplate during Wednesday's media previews at the Chicago Auto Show.
``We're going to strengthen Mercury by investing in the line,'' Ford chief operating officer Nick Scheele said Wednesday at the Chicago Auto Show media preview.
Both a production and concept version of the Mercury Marauder were unveiled. The introductions mark a return of the Marauder name that was once synonymous with 1960s muscle cars.
The production version, a sedan, will go on sale this summer. The concept version is a convertible with no immediate production plans, however, strong positive public reaction could change that, said Brian Kelley, president of Lincoln Mercury.
Ford also took the wraps off the 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis, a restyled version of the perennial strong seller.
The latest iteration of the Grand Marquis includes a new frame, suspension and steering system. It also includes a ``panic'' braking feature where the braking system adds sufficient pressure when it senses the driver is in a panic situation and may not depress the pedal hard enough.
Ford also announced a new crossover vehicle, called the CrossTrainer, which will go into production in 2004 at the Chicago Assembly Plant.
DaimlerChrysler AG took participants for a ride Wednesday as the entire press gallery, weighing in at about 30,000 pounds, was tied to a new Dodge Ram pickup truck and pulled about 30 feet.
The stunt was designed to show off the strength of the 2003 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks.
The new trucks feature a return of the legendary HEMI engine. An all new 5.7-liter version, called the HEMI Magnum, will be standard on both models.
It produces an estimated 345 horsepower and 365 foot-pounds of torque, said Rich Schaum, executive vice president of product development.
A redesigned Cummins high-output turbo diesel engine also is available, which produces 203 horsepower and 555 foot-pounds of torque, giving it towing power of 23,000 pounds.
General Motors Corp., with a figure skater, bobsledders and hockey players sliding by on synthetic ice, rolled out refreshed versions of its popular GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado pickup trucks along with a concept truck, the Terra4.
The 2003 incarnations of the truck's sport refreshed exteriors including new head and taillights and grilles, and interiors with single piece center consoles and sensors on the front passenger side that will deactivate the air bag when a child or small adult is in the seat.
A new advanced electrical system uses fewer wires, and a Bose audio system is available.
The Terra4 concept truck has a high-mounted load bed and extreme exterior design giving it an imposing, edgy appearance.
``The Terra4 challenges the conventional idea of what a truck is,'' said Gary Cowger, president GM North America.
Toyota Motor Corp. unveiled a concept version of the Tundra Stepside pickup truck that will go on sale midway through the 2003 model year.
The Stepside version of the Tundra is exactly what it sounds like. It has a step built into the side of the load bed. It also has distinctive tail lamps that pull back over the rear wheel arches, and the load bed has been increased from 17.2 inches to 19 inches.
``It shows ruggedness can go hand in hand with styling,'' said Don Esmond, Toyota Division senior vice president and general manager.
Subaru of America Inc., which pioneered the small sport utility crossover segment with its Forester, introduced an all-new version for 2003.
The 2003 Forester is designed to compete with other SUV's with a stronger, but lighter body, new suspension tuning and 16-inch wheels.
It's also dressed up in a bolder exterior design with a more pronounced grille, contoured multi-reflector halogen headlights and a large contoured bumper cover with multi-reflector foglights.
The 2003 Forester's taillights are distinctive with their triangular shape.
