Monday, 10 January 2005 | Levent OZLER
Chrysler 300/300C And Ford Escape Hybrid
Winners of the North American Car and Tr
Chrysler 300/300C And Ford Escape Hybrid Winners of the North American Car and Truck of the Year Awards
The 17th annual North American International Auto Show is just days away. More than 6,000 journalists from 68 countries and 40 U.S. states are headed to Detroit to take part in Press Preview Days (Jan. 9 - Jan. 11). These three days make up one of the world's largest media events in any given year.
This year's show kicks off on Sunday at 10:30 a.m. with the announcement of the 2004 North American Car and Truck of the Year. The North American Car and Truck of the Year Award was established in 1992. It's designed to honor vehicles that set new standards in their class. Each vehicle is judged on several categories including design, safety, fuel economy, performance, functionality, technical innovation and value for the dollar. This year's panel of judges, made up of 48 automotive journalists, voted on 17 cars and 12 trucks. In mid-December, those 29 vehicles were pared down to three finalist cars and three finalist trucks.
2004 CAR OF THE YEAR FINALISTS:
Chrysler 300/300C: All-new design marking the brand's return to a rear-
wheel drive, V8 powered automobile in more than a decade. The Chrysler
sedan pays homage to the first letter series Chrysler 300s, which combined
performance and prestige. It won MotorTrend's 2005 Car of the Year.
Ford Mustang: An inspired revival of the 60's Mustangs, the 2005 pony car
comes in a coupe in both V6 and GT formats. The standard model kicks out
202 horsepower, while the GT version delivers 300 horsepower.
Chevrolet Corvette: 6th generation of this American Sports Car. New
styling boosts exposed headlights and a slimmed down rear. Shorter and
lighter than its predecessor, it has improved handling, performance and
comfort.
2004 TRUCK OF THE YEAR FINALISTS:
Ford Escape Hybrid: Ford calls it the world's first hybrid SUV. It
combines a 300-volt nickel-metal-hydride battery with a 2.3 liter four
cylinder gasoline engine. Ford says this combination acts like a 200
horsepower V6 engine while achieving 35 to 40 mpg in stop-and-go traffic.
Ford Freestyle: Crossover vehicle offering a roomy interior to seven
passengers. Ford says even the rear-most bench seat is comfortable for
someone six feet tall. All seats, except the driver's, fold flat for 9.5
feet of cargo space from dash to rear.
Land Rover LR3: Replaces the Discovery model -- it's nearly six inches
longer overall. Drop down liftgate replaces a swing out cargo door. A
baby Range Rover is expected off this platform next year.
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