2002 Sneak Preview

KNIGHT RIDDER NEWSPAPERS Published this story that does what we feel is a great job of describing what is new for 2002

Chrysler turns the PT Cruiser into a Woodie, Ford goes back to the future with its retro-inspired Thunderbird, and General Motors kills the Camaro and Firebird but gets ready to roll the Vibe.

Here's a look at the passenger cars that what used to be called the Big Three will be offering buyers in the 2002 model year. Prices come from the Edmunds.com Web site and include destination charges.

Buick: Changes are very minor on the Century sedan ($20,895-$23,895), which gets a new paint color and improved cruise control. The LeSabre sedan ($24,975-$30,675) gets new radios for 2002.

Two new Joseph Abboud versions of the Regal sedan ($23,840-$27,895) are offered. Rich chestnut leather covers the front bucket seats, steering wheel and shifter.

The Park Avenue sedan ($34,165-$38,540) adds a new front console and Southern walnut wood trim.

Cadillac: The DeVille sedan ($43,070-$48,000) adds a new DVD-based navigation system that can accommodate mapping CDs, music CDs or DVD movies. Oil-change intervals are stretched to 12,500 miles and XM satellite radio arrives later in the year.

The Eldorado coupe ($42,610-$45,745) extends oil and filter changes to 12,500 miles. The Seville sedan ($44,269-$49,825) adds XM radio, a new navigation system and longer oil-change intervals, too.

There's no Catera sedan for 2002, but the rear-wheel-drive CTS sedan with a bold exterior design and a 220-horsepower, 3.2-liter V-6 and manual transmission arrives early next year.

Chevrolet: GM just announced 2002 would be the 35th and last year for the long-running Camaro ($18,655-$30,165). Limited-edition 35th Anniversary models of the SS coupes and convertibles are being offered with red paint, dual stripes and special badges.

The Prizm ($14,815-$16,880) dies after 2002, too. This Corolla-clone, a four-door sedan, is unchanged for the model year.

The Cavalier compact ($14,400-$17,120) gets a new engine on some models -- a 140-horsepower, 2.2-liter, EcoTec four-cylinder. There's a Z24 sedan for the first time.

The Impala sedan ($20,570-$24,270) has a sport appearance package with special styling and new wheels in conjunction with Chevy's sponsorship of the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics. The Malibu four-door ($18,120-$20,325) adds a CD player and floor mats as standard equipment. And competitive yellow is a new color on the Monte Carlo coupe ($20,670-$23,470).

The high-performance Z06 version of the Corvette ($41,650-$50,350) gets a boost of 20 horsepower to 405 and suspension improvements.

Chrysler: There's a Special edition of the 300M sedan ($28,995) with a ground-effects kit that lowers ride height by an inch.

Chrysler drops its LHS model and rechristens the top Concorde sedan ($22,995-$28,495) as the Limited. That model has a 250-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6. All Concordes get new front and rear ends.

Now badged a Chrysler, the hot-rod Prowler (2001 price: $45,400) adds three new colors for 2002: Inca gold now, and Prowler Orange and Prowler Silver later.

Another retro-inspired vehicle, the PT Cruiser ($16,765-$23,995), can now be ordered with factory-installed flames on the front hood and fenders. Two new versions of the Cruiser arrive later in the model year. The Dream Cruiser Series I will be painted Inca gold, wear 16-inch Mopar chrome wheels with gold center caps and carry special graphics. The PT Cruiser Woodie Edition will have wood-grained graphics on its doors, quarter panels and lift-gate.

The Sebring ($18,300-$29,390) name is used on a sedan, coupe and convertible. The Sebring convertible lineup adds a more affordable LX version with a 150-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. Later, a GTC model with a rear spoiler, painted wheels and two-tone seats arrives. The Sebring sedan gets three new paint colors and an optional AM/FM/CD stereo. The coupe, redesigned in 2001, gets two new colors.

Dodge: DaimlerChrysler swaps engines and transmissions in the Dodge Intrepid sedan ($20,995-$27,240) for 2002. A 234-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 is optional on the ES. A 200-horsepower, 2.7-liter V-6 is standard on the SE and ES, and a 244-horsepower high-output version of the 3.5-liter V-6 is on the R/T.

The small Neon sedan ($13,555-$16,680) gets a new front-end treatment with a cross-hair grille to match other Dodge models. And a four-speed automatic transmission is finally added.

The Stratus coupe ($19,340-$22,360) gets two new colors for 2002. The Stratus sedan ($17,995-$21,255) gets an R/T model early in calendar 2002. It will carry a five-speed transmission, 17-inch V-rated tires, a performance suspension and a rear spoiler.

With a new Viper (2001 prices: $70,000-$73,000) coming in 2003, the 2002 model is unchanged.

Ford: The Thunderbird ($35,495-$41,995) is a contemporary take on the classic '50s T-bird. The '02 model comes in pastel shades of yellow and blue (as well as red, white and black) and has porthole windows on its removable hardtop. More of a Sunday tourer than a back-road speedster, this new two-seater has a 252-horsepower, 3.9-liter V-8 engine.

Another legendary Ford name, the Mustang ($17,820-$28,785), is approaching a redesign. For 2002, changes are minor. A Mach 1000 audio system, a MP3/CD radio and Nudo leather seats are available.

Three new versions of the Focus ($12,905-$18,195) sedan-coupe-wagon line are offered. The ZX5 is a five-door hatchback. The Focus SVT, created by Ford's Special Vehicle Team, is based on the ZX3 two-door. It comes with a 170-horsepower, 2.0-liter Zetec four-cylinder engine, special body work and 17-inch wheels. The ZTW wagon comes with leather bucket seats and brushed aluminum trim.

Ford's best-selling Taurus sedan and wagon ($19,260-$23,205) get minor changes. Power adjustable pedals are now standard on many models as are six-passenger seating.

The Sport model of the Crown Victoria sedan ($23,435-$28,640) emphasizes driving improvements with revised springs and shocks.

Lincoln: The LS sedan ($33,455-$39,805) gets new aluminum-wheel styles and adds an Alpine audio system with an in-dash six-disc CD player on models with the Sport Package. A vehicle communications system is optional. It includes a hands-free Motorola Timeport phone, a safety and security button, route guidance and information services such as news, sports and stocks.

Both the Town Car ($40,540-$45,095) and Continental ($38,555-$40,145) sedans add the vehicle communications system.

Mercury: The under-appreciated Cougar coupe ($16,995-$20,395) has two special V-6 Sport models for 2002, the C2 and the XR. The C2 model gets special paint on its body, spoiler and wheel caps, and matching interior trim. The XR will be sold in either red or black clearcoat with matching color on its hood scoop and spoiler.

Sable sedans and wagons ($20,255-$23,845) have four-wheel anti-lock brakes as a no-cost option.

Grand Marquis sedans ($24,325-$29,305) come with anti-lock brakes and traction control.

Oldsmobile: The Alero coupe and sedan ($18,055-$20,265) get a new, all-aluminum, 140-horsepower, 2.2-liter, four-cylinder designed by GM and Lotus.

The Intrigue sedan ($23,427-$25,012) gets some trim and package enhancements, as the top-line GLS model now gets a two-tone interior, a sunroof and a driver power lumbar.

The Aurora sedan ($31,665-$35,660) adds new colors, chrome exhaust tips and a navigation radio.

Pontiac: The Firebird ($20,090-$32,135) ends its run after 2002. It adds some standard power equipment, including remote mirrors and automatic door locks.

Both the Sunfire ($15,080-$17,395) and the Grand Am ($17,255-$22,565) add a new 140-horsepower, 2.2-liter. It's the lightest four-cylinder (305 pounds) GM has ever made. It's the top engine in the Sunfire, and the base in the Grand Am.

Pontiac celebrates 40 years of the Grand Prix sedan and coupe ($23,545-$26,415) with a package that gets a rear spoiler, dual-dual exhausts and special wheels.

The base Bonneville ($26,185-$33,605) SE sedan gets a slightly revised front and rear styling, while SLE and SSEi models get new badges.

Coming early next year is the Vibe, a four-door sporty wagon.

Saturn: The S-Series sedans and coupes ($11,035-$17,270) get four new colors, including orange on the two-door. The S wagon is dropped. The mid-size L-Series sedans and wagons ($16,795-$22,775) get some significant safety and entertainment upgrades, including head-curtain side air bags and an optional DVD entertainment system.