Takin' It to the Street
by Steve Laser

As the saying goes in L.A., "You are what you drive." In this crazy culture that moves on wheels, cars are more than mere transportation. They're a lifestyle, a sub-culture and an obsession. Automakers are keen to tune in to the "tuner trend" that captivates younger buyers. While the Asian brands (particularly the Honda Civic) have historically dominated this market, the domestics seek a piece of the action.

Dodge tested the waters at the 2000 L.A. Auto Show with a concept called the SRT. Essentially a tricked-out Neon, few believed that it would ever reach production. Yet on Day 2 of this year's show, Dodge unveil the production version dubbed the SRT-4. Among its eye candy enhancements are unique front and rear fascias, ground effects, rear spoiler and 17-inch alloy wheels. A turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine with 205 horsepower can reportedly rocket the compact sedan from 0-60 mph in 5.9 seconds. With a target price under $20,000, Dodge should have little trouble finding buyers when the SRT-4 debuts in spring 2003.

Playing second fiddle to Honda has irritated Mitsubishi long enough. To add insult to injury, the Subaru WRX is quickly gaining ground with the youth market. So Mitsubishi has finally decided to bring the Lancer Evolution stateside. Already a cult classic in Japan and Europe, the American Evolution will be dressed with a full body kit, bedecked with spoilers and shod with massive wheels and tires. The all-wheel-dirve, 2.0-liter turbocharged powertrain is expected to deliver 250 horsepower when the EVO goes on sale in early 2003.

Already firmly ensconced with the tuner set, Acura is targeting a more mature audience with the 2003 3.2CL coupe and 2002 NSX mid-engine sports car. The former receives a mid-cycle update with new front and rear styling, an updated interior and an available 6-speed manual gearbox on the Type-S. The latter gains its first styling change in a decade. Previewed at last fall's Tokyo Motor Show, the new NSX sports exposed HID headlamps, a revised air dam, new rear combination lamps and interior revisions. With a list price of $89,000, the NSX is sure to remain a rare sight on the streets of L.A.

The Europeans continued to leverage their momentum on Day 2 with the North American debut of the Mini Cooper S, Volkswagen New Beetle Turbo S, Passat W8 and Volvo Performance Concept Car 2. Recognizing L.A. as one of its biggest markets, Porsche chose the occasion to stage the North American debuts of the 911 Targa and Carrera 4S. It also gave a fleeting glimpse of its upcoming Cayenne SUV, which will be shown (perhaps for the first time) at the L.A. show in 2003.

Ford made a different kind of performance statement by introducing a car that doesn't run on gasoline. The U.S. edition of the TH!NK city electric car is targeted at urban dwellers who are anything but "fast and furious." Rather, the tiny runabout is designed for alternative transportation when "a full car isn't needed." Like its European counterpart, the TH!NK city wears lunchbox-tough ABS body panels with molded-in color. Ford tailored the styling more toward American tastes with a cute, insect-like face (we didn't say "Beetle.") With a range of 50 miles and a top speed of 62 mph, Ford hopes the zero-emission vehicle will find a home on college campuses, gated communities and for commutes to train stations. Ford also showed the Fusion SUV concept, which premiered at Frankfurt last year.

From the Lamborghini Murcielago, that guzzles a gallon of gas every nine miles or so, to the petite TH!NK city that runs on electrons, the L.A. auto show has something for every individual who longs to make their own fashion statement.

Page 2 of 5