Byline: Jim Mateja
Mar. 20--Chevrolet and Ford this week will unveil additions to their performance lineups: Chevy a trio of SS models, and Ford a high-performance sport-utility and the next-generation Mustang Cobra.
The cars will be introduced at the media preview of the New York Auto Show, the last major venue on this year's auto-show circuit.
The SS, or Super Sport, additions at Chevy will be the Malibu and Malibu Maxx sedans and TrailBlazer sport-utility. All come out this fall.
Ford is introducing a high-performance Adrenalin Sport Trac SUV slated for 2007, as well as the next-generation SVT Mustang Cobra, which is expected to have lots of influence from racecar designer Carroll Shelby.
The three SS models give Chevy a total of eight carrying that designation, including the SSR roadster truck, Silverado SS pickup, Impala SS sedan, Monte Carlo SS coupe and Cobalt SS supercharged coupe.
The SS designation dates to 1961, when Chevy brought out the Impala Super Sport.
'Malibu SS and Malibu Maxx SS bring real performance to a broad audience,' said Brent Dewar, vice president of marketing for General Motors and former Chevy general manager.
As with Ford, Chevy said that though the performance models will not be mileage leaders, they will be limited editions that should have little effect on its Corporate Average Fuel Economy, or CAF[ETH], ratings.
Malibu and Malibu Maxx feature a new 3.9-liter V-6 with variable valve timing that develops 240 horsepower and delivers 245 foot-pounds of torque. It is teamed with a 4-speed automatic with manual shift mode.
They also come with sports-tuned suspensions, a choice of 18-inch all-season or high-performance 'summer' grade radials and anti-lock brakes with traction control as standard. They add model-specific front and rear fascias, with blacked-out cross-hatch grille pattern, larger grille openings, projector beam fog lamps, rear spoiler and dual chrome-tipped exhaust outlets.
Options will include sunroof, six-disc CD changer, OnStar and XM satellite radio.
The 2006 TrailBlazer SS that goes on sale this fall will be the first SUV to wear the badge.
It will be powered by the Corvette-derived 6-liter, 391-h.p. V-8 delivering 395 foot-pounds of torque and boasting a zero- to 60-m.p.h. time of 5.7 seconds. It will be teamed with a 4-speed automatic.
The TrailBlazer SS will offer performance-tuned suspension with 1-inch lower ride height, 20-inch performance radials, rear-wheel- or all-wheel-drive, stability control, ABS and air-leveling suspension.
It will come with a monochromatic exterior, including blacked-out mesh grille, model-specific front and rear fascias and bright exhaust outlet.
Ford is spare with details of the Mustang Cobra until later in the week, but the machine is expected to be heavily influenced by Shelby. He had a hand in developing the Ford GT super car in 2004 as well as the Shelby GR-1, a super car concept unveiled last year that hints what Ford might offer to follow up on the GT.
The Adrenalin sport-utility truck at the show is an upgrade of the Explorer Sport Trac that came out for 2000. It was developed by Ford's Special Vehicle Team, or SVT.
'We're looking to take Ford performance to an entirely new market segment with the Adrenalin,' said Steve Lyons, president of Ford Division.
He said the midsize Adrenalin 'marries the attributes' of the full-size SVT F-150 Lightning pickup with the Explorer Sport Trac, and 'answers enthusiast demands for performance and multifunctional utility.'
Adrenalin will be powered by a supercharged, 4.6-liter, 32-valve V-8 that develops 390 h.p. and delivers 390 foot-pounds of torque. It will be teamed with a 6-speed automatic, a first for an SVT vehicle.
Lyons said the Adrenalin will have the acceleration and agility of the SVT F-150 Lightning, which Ford first offered between 1993 and 1995 with a 5.8-liter, 240-h.p. V-8 and then again between 1999 and 2004 with a 5.4-liter, 380-h.p., supercharged V-8. Output totaled 39,687.
In addition to the potent V-8, Adrenalin offers all-wheel-drive; AdvanceTrac stability control with Roll Stability Control; 21-inch radials; four bucket seats; white faced instrumentation; a navigation system, another first for an SVT vehicle; unique front and rear fascias; a 'black chrome' grille; and SVT signature fog lamps.
To give the SUV better road stance, Adrenalin is 5 inches longer and 2 inches wider than the current Sport Trac. The 4-foot composite bed box is wider and taller and comes with a pair of lockable 'saddlebag' compartments between the cab and rear wheel wells to hold more cargo.
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