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80 MPG 'Supercars,' Detroit and Los Angeles Auto Show Competition Head-To-Head

6 January 2000

80 MPG 'Supercars,' Detroit and Los Angeles Auto Show Competition Head-To-Head, Paris-Dakar Rally Highlight www.thecarconnection.com

    DETROIT, Jan. 4 // -- In an era of cheap gas and big SUVs, can
automakers and lawmakers make mileage a selling point?  They just might with a
new class of "supercars" that will not only offer 80 miles a gallon, but just
as much room as today's family sedans -- at roughly the same price.

    In this week's lead story, http://www.thecarconnection.com publisher Paul
Eisenstein pulls the wraps off the two new PNGV (Partnership for a New
Generation of Vehicles) cars, which will make their debut next week at the
North American International Auto Show in Detroit.  The Ford Prodigy and GM
Precept are the first products of an unusual partnership between Ford, General
Motors, DaimlerChrysler and the U.S. government.

    That's just the start of preview coverage of both the North American
International Auto Show (Detroit) and the Los Angeles Auto Show.  The Car
Connection, the Internet's leading automotive e-zine, offers the first look at
dozens of new cars, trucks and concept vehicles.  And then, starting January
6th, the e-zine will launch daily online coverage of both shows.

    On the other side of the globe, The Car Connection's Sue Mead, the web's
resident auto adventurer, is off on one of the world's most renown endurance
events -- the Paris-Dakar Rally.
    Sue has an intro story this week, and will have updates from her
European/African adventure.

    "Caught in the Web," the http://www.thecarconnection.com weekly spy photo
feature, captures the biggest Mercedes sedan yet -- slated for late January
introduction in the U.S. -- as there are a couple of photos of the new CL500.

    Road tests this week include the new Ford-powered De Tomaso Mangusta --
being shown at the L.A. Show as part of its U.S. comeback, along with the re-
invigorated Porsche Boxster S and its 252 horsepower and the new Toyota Echo.

    Web users can also access The Car Connection by going to the PR Newswire
site, http://www.prnewswire.com.  In addition, PR Newswire provides the text of all
the manufacturers' news releases from the auto shows -- including the big
Detroit and Los Angeles shows coming up, along with all the other business
news of the day.

    The Car Connection, http://www.thecarconnection.com, is the nation's premier
automotive "e-zine."  Turn to it for the latest news and often-controversial
reviews.  You'll find driving tips from racing instructor Bob Bondurant,
helpful maintenance advice from On-Site Mechanic Bob Weber, and "spy shots" of
tomorrow's hottest products Caught in the Web.