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D2 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, July 25, 2001 Power in front-drive cars has come a long way (Continued from .page D1) My driving was strictly roads in central California, but roads I am familiar with so I could move at a fair rate of knots. Most of my driving was in the SE as this will represent 65% o f Maximas sold in Canada. The slightly stiffer SE suspension and the more aggressive 17-inch rubber made for a car that felt dialed in with the road surface. It is amazing to me how far front-drive cars with real power have come. It was only five years ago with a certain 3.0-litre V6 with 200 hp I test ed would rocket sharply to the right from a standings stop such was the "torque steer" effect. This phenome non happens when the driving wheel gets all the torque. If it is the right wheel, the car veers to the right. Well this certain V6 would scrabble to the right like a rabbit heading to its bur row with a hawk overhead. The 2002 M axima SE exhibited none of this and I really tried taking the revs up to 5000 and dumping the clutch on the six-speed manual. About the only thing of note, beside how quickly I was going, was how fast and silky the engine was getting to the redline. While all this power and fury was taking place outside, it's pretty civi lized on the inside. Maxima has always stood out for interior space and the 2002 will be no exception. Trunk volume is 428 litres (15.1 cu. ft.) while the passenger area is 2,902 litres (102.5 cu. ft) which is pretty generous and is in a league with fullsize sedans, especially the back seat. Bose continues to supply its excel lent sound systems to Nissan, and in the GLE and SE it is a seven speaker, 200-watt, six-CD in-dash player. Standard on the GLE and fitted as an option to my SE tester is a speed-sen sitive volume control system. I find these things irritating, as I always seem to be turning it up or it down. This is one option I can do without. Also on the inside are a number of items that were options on the previ ous Maxima, but are now standard fare, such as the eight-way power dri ver's seat, steering wheel controls for the audio system, HomeLink trans ceiver, one-touch power window for the driver, and a useful 60/40 split back seat. As always the Maxima gives a lot of performance for the money and now that has been given a real boost with the 3.5-litre engine. Frankly, the Nissan Maxima has pretty well been the champion of this segment for a long time so the raising of the bar by competitors like Acura with the 3.2 TL and Audi with the new A4 have caused Nissan to upgun the Maxima after only two years. The winner in this deal are car buyers looking for something quick, stylish and with a pedigree. While MSRP was not announced at this writing, Nissan does not intend to price this car out of the market despite the boost in go-power. For 2002, Nissan w on't allow its front-selling Maxima to lose ground and with the 3.5-litre V6 and the han dling to go with it, that's not likely to happen. Which vacation picture will you be in this summer? It may be time for a cooling system check-up! Keep your cool this summer! Serving the Oakville community for over 32 years 573 Chartwell Road Oakville, Ontario L6J4A8 Tel: (905) 844-9641 Fax: (905) 844-7172 There will be a limited production of Focus S2 built. This latest statement edition car, above, will probably be sold in Canada by this summer. S2 is available in CD silver, Sangria Red and a Focus S2-exclusive Liquid Grey. Its 2.0L DOHC Zetec 1-4 engine delivers 130 horsepower and 135 lb.-ft. of torque. Q.E.W. N 5 S. SERVICE RD. =j 3Z B b wt E 1 CORNWALL RQ. ° SPEERS ROl ^ I Ss Ford Focus S2 to appeal to gen-Xers The 2001 Focus S2 is the newest in a series of Focus mod els, aimed at attracting the X and rising Millennial genera tions. The Focus S2 was brought to life by the outstanding con sumer feedback received after the previous statement car -- Street Edition -- was shown at the 2000 Miami International Auto Show. Ford saw an opportunity to fill a gap in the youth market, a gap created when Honda dropped the Civic hatchback from their lineup. "Focus S2 reflects the growing desire for a more expres sive small car," said Jim O 'Connor, Ford Division President. "We had such an overwhelming response from customers to Street Edition, particularly the European-tuned suspension, we decided to utilize it also on the three-door ZX3 model. We were able to deliver the new S2 in only six months." The sportier S2 features a European-tuned suspension, unique interior and exterior styling cues and an upgraded audio system. On the exterior, the S2 Graphite Grey body kit features unique front spoiler and rocker panels for a more muscular appearance. Color-keyed bodyside moldings and S2 badging create a distinct look. The rear spoiler, six-spoke 16-inch aluminum wheels and chrome exhaust tip complete the exterior package. Inside, S2 features a six-disc in-dash CD changer and sport bucket seats with diamond-patterned inserts. Focus S2 uses the same springs, dampers, and anti-roll bars found on the European Focus ZX3, offering more aggressive handling, feel, stability and grip. These modifica tions improve upon a front suspension that incorporates zerooffset geometry to improve stability, and MacPherson striits for better steering feel. ZX3's fully independent Control Blade multi-link rear suspension - rare in this segment and price range - has already won over many driving enthusiasts who find it stable in comers and on rough, twisty roads. © O a k v ille Introducing the 2001 MRZDR MPV. Now available in dealerships. Flame Decals SOLD Separately. MRZDR PROTEGE SE For only ^ ^ ^ / m o n t h more, get on IX with air conditioning, keyless entry, new 2.0L 130-hp engine. 15" wheels and upgraded upholstery. purchase financing for up to Z6 months* $ 4 ,9 0 0 dow n or tr a d e e q u iv a le n t on le a s e , fr e ig h t and P .D .I. in c lu d e d , C onvenience P a c k a g e w ith · cru ise c o n tro l · p o w er door locks · p ow er w in d o w s £ m irrors · air c o n d itio n in g · s ta n d a rd dual airb ag s · 3rd ro w tu m b le u n d e r s e a ts · 2nd ro w slide by slid e. per m o n th /48 months 0.9" purchase financing for up to 36 months* cash purchase from cash purchase from · $ 2 ,4 0 0 dow n or tra d e e q u iv a le n t on le a s e , ' ------- fr e ig h t and P .D .I. included · O ptional 1 3 0 -h p , 2.0L DOHC aw ** r e lease from e n g in e a v a ila b le (IX and ES m o d e l) · HM/FM/CO s te re o system · S ta n d a rd dual air bags -- lease from per m onth/48 months Get in. Be moved O akville mazoa 1291 SPEERS ROAD ^ * d e b e ^ 3rd Line & 4ih Line G et In Be M oved H W Y . #5 9 0 5 -8 2 7 -4 2 4 2 lllhere Good Seruice Is R Fact. Not Just R Promise! MAZDA MHZDfl GRADUATE PROGRAM SPEBBSRO. www.oakviilemazda.com STOP DREAMING START DRIVING facility Jeep owners can best test the off-road abilities of their vehicles at the Jeep Jam boree events held each sum mer at different venues across Canada. But for those who've only dreamed about owning Jeeps, or for Jeep owners who can't spare the time or expense of a weekend Jam boree, there is an alternative. The ultimate sport utility vehicle presents the ultimate test drive off-road at the new Jeep College facility at 10520 Duf ferin St. Maple, Ontario (north of Major Macken zie Drive). For informa tion or to regis ter visit your local Jeep dealer or call 1-888678-JEEP 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser *M o to r Trend C ar o f the Year air conditioning. Stock #YP61 " 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser Ltd. "Retro Sedan for the Driving Enthusiast " Sunroof group, underseat, storage drawer, automatic transmission, deep tint sunscreen glass, A M /F M /C D , Mopar sport wheels, LEASE FOR *398" Plus applicable taxes. Leather trim, heated seats, underseat storage drawer, automatic trans mission, power sunroof, A M /FM /cassette/C D , power windows & locks, air conditioning, chrome wheels, 28G package. Several to choose from. a month for 4 8 months, 20,000km s/yr. $1 ,42 2 due on delivery. Includes freight, admin istration and air tax. LEASE FOR *434" Plus applicable taxes. 4 k a month for 4 8 months, 20,000km s/yr. $ 1 ,4 9 0 due on delivery. Includes freight, admin istration and air tax. CHRYSLER D od ge J e e p 175 Wyecroft Road, Oakville 905.845.6653 (between Kerr & Dorval) FIN/E S T A R LOCKWOOD E S C II R Y S I. E R Oakville's 2000 ·2001 Five Star Certified Dealership