Cars for the Rich

04/10/96

NEW RELEASE

ULTIMATE REFINEMENT FOUND IN LUXURY CARS

April 3, (New York) -- Luxury cars are the ultimate sophisticated
motoring experience. They deliver today's most advanced technology
presented in a stylish package, sparing no creature comforts.

Visitors to the 1996 New York International Automobile Show, April
6-April 14 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, will see a
comprehensive collection of these luxury offerings.

Acura

The Acura CL Series debuted in January as 1997 models. The front-drive
CL coupes come in two variations: the sporty, driver oriented 2.2CL
powered by a 2.2-liter, 145-horsepower four cylinder engine; and the
performance-oriented 3.0CL, which features an all-new 3.0-liter
V6. This model will go one sale in the fall.

There are also two models in the TL sedan series: the 3.2TL and sporty
2.5TL. The 3.2TL is powered by a 200-horsepower, 3.2-liter V6, while
the 2.5TL has a 2.5-liter, 176-horsepower inline five cylinder
engine. Both powerplants are paired with a four-speed automatic
transmission.

Audi

Topping Audi's 1996 lineup is the all-new A4 sports sedan. With a
flowing wedge profile and Audi's 2.8-liter, 172-horsepower V6 under
the hood, the A4 attracts attention. Audi's Quattro all-wheel drive
system is available as an option.

A year after the introduction, the Audi A6 mid-sized luxury sedans and
wagons, in either front or all-wheel drive, have received improvements
for 1996, including electronic differential locking to aid
traction. Both the A6 sedan and wagon are powered by a 2.8-liter,
172-horsepower V6 engine paired with either a five-speed manual or a
four-speed automatic transmission.

Buick

Buick's Riviera is a personal luxury coupe with a distinctive shape
and a spacious interior. Two powerplants are available -- the 3800
Series II, rated at 205 horsepower; and the new-for-1996 optional
supercharged 3800 V6, rated at 225 horsepower. New climate controls
and new audio systems are part of the Riviera's package.

Park Avenue and Park Avenue Ultra, Buick's full size luxury sedans,
received few changes for 1996. The standard engine for the Park Avenue
is the 3800 Series II found in the Riviera, and the Ultra gets the
supercharged Series II, which punches out 240 horsepower.

BMW

BMW's 8-Series gets a new larger 4.4-liter engine for 1996, an
increase over the previous 4.0-liter engine in the 840 Ci. Bird's eye
maple wood trim, previously found only in the 850Ci, is now standard.

BMW also consolidated its 7 Series, making the 740iL the only V8
model. The top model in the 7-Series is the 750iL, which shares its
long wheelbase with the 740iL, and is powered by the 5.4-liter,
322-horsepower V12 engine found in the 850Ci coupe.

BMW's sporty "middle" 5 Series of sedan and Touring wagon models
continues essentially unchanged for 1996, as BMW awaits the
introduction of the new 5 Series in the spring. However the present
generation goes out with style, thanks to the introduction of a high
performance model -- the 540i Sport.

For 1996, the 3 Series has been improved as the four four-cylinder
models and three six-cylinder models get larger, higher torque
engines. On the luxury side, the most important new refinement is a
new automatic climate control system for all sedan, convertible and
two-door coupe models. The four-cylinder 318ti, three door coupe, the
318i sedan, 318is coupe and the 318i convertible get a new 1.9-liter
engine. The horsepower remains unchanged at 138 hp, although torque
has increased. A new 328 designation now adorns the former 325i sedans
coupes and convertible, thanks to a new 2.8-liter in-line six-cylinder
engine. The 328i Sedan, 328is Coupe and 328i Convertible gain a slight
horsepower increase and more torque.

Cadillac

Cadillac's hot news is that the best-selling DeVille now has the
Northstar system. The addition of the DeVille means that all
front-wheel drive Cadillacs are Northstar equipped. On Northstar
models, the engine output is 300 horsepower for the Eldorado Touring
Coupe, Seville Touring Sedan and DeVille Concours while the Seville
Luxury Sedan (SLS), Eldorado and DeVille are equipped with the 275
horsepower Northstar engine.

Other model news includes interior refinements for the Eldorado and
ETC, as well as the STS and SLS.  Fleetwood and Fleetwood Brougham
continue the tradition of Cadillac vehicles built on a grand
scale. These large, rear-wheel drive luxury cars are powered by a
260-horsepower, 5.7-liter V8 engine paired with a four-speed automatic
transmission.

Infiniti

A new model joined Infiniti's line -- the I30. The 1996 I30,
introduced earlier last year, is positioned between the J30 personal
luxury sedan and the G20. Two models are available -- the I30 and the
I30t or Touring. Both are powered by a 3.0-liter 190-horsepower V6
engine teamed with either the standard five-speed manual or optional
four-speed automatic transmission.

The Infiniti Q45 luxury performance sedan leads the line again with
two versions -- the Q45, and the Q45 with Touring Package (Q45t). Both
are powered by a 278-horsepower, 4.5-liter, 32-valve, aluminum alloy
V8 engine mated to an electronically controlled four-speed automatic
transmission.

The sculptured body of Infiniti's J30 remains one of the most elegant
in its class. The J30 is powered by a 3.0-liter, double overhead cam,
24-valve engine that generates 210 horsepower, and is paired with a
four-speed automatic transmission. Drivers wanting a greater degree of
precision handling can opt for the J30t which features a special
Touring Package.

The G20 and G20t have select refinements for 1996. Both models feature
new Automatic/Emergency Locking Retractor seat belts for front
passengers and rear outboard positions. In addition, elegant new
woodgrain trim is added to the center cluster and side vents of G20
models equipped with the optional leather appointment package. Both
have a 140-horsepower, double overhead cam, 16-valve, 2.0-liter engine
under the hood.

Jaguar

Jaguar added two new long wheelbase sedans to its stable -- the Vanden
Plas and the XJ12. These cars join the Jaguar standard wheelbase sedan
line -- the XJ6, the 322 horsepower supercharged XJR and the XJS
convertible. Both the Vanden Plas and the V12 powered XJ12 have been
stretched 4.9 inches to increase the wheelbase to 117.9 inches and the
overall length to 202.7 inches.

The XJ6 and Vanden Plas sedans are powered by a 4.0-liter, 24-valve,
double overhead cam, 245-horsepower in-line six paired with an
electronic four-speed automatic transmission. The XJR uses the same
engine, with a Roots type supercharger and intercooler, that pumps out
322 horsepower. The XJ12 is powered by a 6.0-liter, 313-horsepower,
12-cylinder engine.

Jaguar's XJS Convertible marks its 20th birthday in 1996. This is the
longest lived Jaguar ever. To commemorate the final year of
productions for the popular sports model, Jaguar upgraded the XJS and
equipped it with Jaguar's advanced, all-aluminum AJI6, dual overhead
cam, 24-valve, six-cylinder, 4.0-liter engine that produces 237
horsepower.

Lexus

The second generation LS 400 luxury sedan continues into its second
season as the flagship of Lexus.  Redesigned last year, the LS 400 is
powered by 4.0-liter, four cam, 32-valve V8 that delivers 260
horsepower and has a long list of comfort and convenience features.

The SC 300 is the only Lexus available with a five-speed manual
transmission. This luxury, rear-wheel drive coupe is powered by the
3.0-liter in-line six cylinder that produces 225-horsepower. The
standard transmission is the five-speed, however, an optional
four-speed automatic is available. The SC 400 gets the same 4.0-liter,
32-valve, 260-horsepower, V8 found in its sedan sibling, and its
engine is paired with a four-speed electronically controlled
transmission.

The ES 300 continue to share a long list of features found in all
Lexus cars. An all-aluminum engine is a 24-valve, 3.0-liter,
188-horsepower V6 paired with an electronically controlled automatic
transmission. The ES 300 is also equipped with such standard features
as California walnut trim, tilt-steering columns and air conditioning.

The GS 300's exterior has been freshened for 1996. The rear
combination lamps, rear panel and badging have been updated for a
cleaner look and Lexus factory chrome plated wheels are available as
an option. It's powered by a 3.0-liter, 24-valve in-line six-cylinder
engine, like the one found in the SC 300. The engine is linked to an
all new innovative five-speed automatic transmission.

Lincoln

The Lincoln Continental luxury sedan receives technology advances for
1996 with the introduction of a personal protection system known as
Lincoln RESCU. The system uses global positioning satellites and
cellular phone technology to signal emergency aid -- all at the touch
of a button. Powering the Continental is a 4.6-liter, 32-valve, double
overhead cam powerplant, which produces 260 horsepower and is paired
with a four-speed automatic transmission.

The Town car has a special Diamond Edition for 1996. Two colors are
available -- Cordovan or Silver Frost.  The Town Car also is available
in three conventional series -- Executive, Signature and Cartier. All
are powered by a 4.6-liter V8 engine with a four-speed automatic
transmission.

A new Mark VIII model is in the line-up for 1996 -- the LSC, Luxury
Sport Coupe. The Mark VIII is powered with a 4.6-liter, double
overhead cam, 280-horsepower V8 linked to a four-speed automatic
transmission. The LSC has a monochromatic look which can be accented
with optional chrome wheels. With its revised axle ratio, the
4.6-liter V8 delivers 290 horsepower.

Mazda

Three models of the Millenia, Mazda's luxury sedan, are available: the
Millenia, the Millenia L and the Millenia S. The standard powerplant
for the Millenia is a 2.5-liter V6 that produces 170 horsepower. The
Millenia S has the 210-horsepower, DOHC, 24 valve, Miller cycle V6
engine. Both are paired with a four-speed automatic transmission.

Mercedes-Benz

A boldly styled new E-Class sedan is the highlight for 1996 at
Mercedes-Benz. A striking four-headlight face and a coupe-like
silhouette, sets this car apart from its predecessor. Under the skin,
the E-Class features new safety innovations including the first front
door-mounted side air bags and an optional vehicle stability system.

Initially, two E-Class models are available: the E320 powered by a
3.2-liter, 217-horsepower, double overhead cam inline six cylinder
engine , and the E300 Diesel which has a 134 horsepower inline
six-cylinder diesel powerplant. Both are equipped with four-speed
automatic transmissions. The E420 with its 4.2-liter, double overhead
cam, 275-horsepower V8 and five-speed automatic transmission will be
available this later this spring as a 1997 model.

The C-Class sedans add a standard remote entry system as well as a new
instrument panel similar to that use in the E-Class. The high
performance C36, extensively modified by AMG, is powered by a potent
3.6-liter, 268-horsepower in-line six cylinder engine teamed with a
four-speed automatic transmission. The other models in the C-Class
lineup are the C220 and C280. The C220 is powered by a 2.2-liter,
148-horsepower, in-line four-cylinder engine, while the C280 gets a
2.8-liter, 194-horsepower, in-line six-cylinder powerplant.

The 1996 S-Class models, restyled last year for a lower, softer
appearance, feature numerous refinements in safety, performance and
comfort. The lineup includes the S320 sedan in standard and
long-wheelbase versions and the long-wheelbase S420, S500 and S600
sedans. In addition there are the S500 and S600 coupes.  The S320
Turbodiesel model has been discontinued.

The SL roadster line has been freshened for 1996. There's a new
modified grille, new 12-hole alloy wheels, body color bumpers and
rocker panels, and a new covering glass for the foglights and
tailights. As before, the lineup includes three distinct models: SL320
with a 229-horsepower, 3.2-liter inline six-cylinder engine; the SL500
with a 315-horsepower, 5.0-liter V8; and the limited production SL600,
which is powered by a 389-horsepower, 6.0-liter V12. Both the SL500
and SL600 are fitted with a new electronically controlled five-speed
automatic transmission. All SL models come equipped with the latest
safety advance from Mercedes-Benz -- door-mounted side air bags.

Oldsmobile

Aurora, Oldsmobile's flagship, continues to occupy center stage. This
sleek sedan is powered by a 4.0-liter, 32-valve, double overhead cam,
250-horsepower V8. The engine is specifically designed for Aurora, and
is paired with a four-speed electronically controlled transmission.

Saab

The 9000 CS is powered by a 170-horsepower, 2.3-liter four cylinder
with Saab's Light Pressure Turbo technology. Featuring full-boost
turbo performance and a longer list of luxury features, the 9000 CSE's
standard 200-horsepower, 2.3-liter Turbo engine speaks volumes. A
3.0-liter four-cam V6 with electronic traction control and an
automatic transmission is available as an option for the Saab 9000
CSE.

Saab's "wild child" is the 9000 Aero with its 225-horsepower 2.3-liter
turbo engine, sport chassis and aerodynamic ground effects.

Volvo

Volvo marched into 1996 by making its side impact air bags standard
equipment throughout its product line.  The luxury 960 is available in
either a sedan or a station wagon and is powered by a naturally
aspirated 2.9-liter, in-line six-cylinder engine that generates
181-horsepower. The 960s are well appointed and all 960 wagons and 960
sedans also have leather upholstery and a leather-trimmed steering
wheel.