2004 Nissan 350Z : A superb driver's car, the Nissan 350Z has wooed the enthusiast public, garnering enough buyers to claim the title from the Chevrolet Corvette as the best-selling sports car. And that's before the coupe drops its top in summer 2003. Eager for open roads and sunshine, the Z Roadster has the same responsiveness and athleticism that has made the coupe so successful, yet adding more sensory input. The cloth top is released from or secured to the windshield header with a three-lock, single latch located directly above the middle windshield area. The one-touch power top raises or lowers in a modest 20 seconds. The Z Roadster will be offered in two trims, Enthusiast Model and Touring Model. The base Enthusiast version features power seats, rear wind deflector, 17-inch alloy wheels, xenon headlights, and automatic climate control. The Touring Model adds a Bose audio system with 6-disc CD changer and seven speakers, and leather-appointed seats with heater and heated mirrors.
2004 Nissan Maxima : Currently on sale, the new Maxima features a double wishbone independent rear suspension (finally) and a 3.5-liter/265-horsepower V-6 powering the front wheels. An odd optional "skyview" roof is longer, longitudinally, than it is wide. There's an optional 2+2 "Elite" package with buckets in back.2004 Nissan Pathfinder Armada : Nissan is tackling the domestic automakers with a direct assault in both full-size pickup and sport/utility vehicles. No protracted rollout or half measures here. The Armada set sail in New York, with the market attack to begin fall 2003. Supplementing the Pathfinder, the dramatically larger Pathfinder Armada features three seating rows, available in seven- or eight-passenger configurations. The Titan-shared interior feels more like a premium sedan than a truck, with its artful design and relatively lush materials. Every Armada includes four-wheel, ABS-equipped disc brakes with electronic brake force distribution and brake assist, and Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system with Traction Control and Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS). A sophisticated, capable SUV, the Pathfinder Armada 4x4 uses all-drive technology derived from the Skyline GT-R for on-road and off-road traction, aided by a two-speed electronic transfer case.
2004 Nissan Titan : The Titan King Cab and Crew Cab pickups are built on an all-new truck platform and features Nissan's newly designed Endurance 5.6-liter DOHC V-8 that makes more than 300 horsepower and 375 lb-ft of torque. Mated to a standard five-speed automatic transmission it's got a towing capacity of up to 9400 pounds, and will be available in two- and four-wheel drive with standard power-assisted rack and pinion steering, along with four-wheel disc brakes with ABS. On the King Cab, the rear doors open nearly 180 degrees to allow easy access to a roomy interior boasting power-adjustable front seats with available driver's seat memory system, heated front seats, and flip-up rear seat. Production is scheduled to begin this summer.
2004 Nissan Quest : This latest attempt to shed the segment's soccer mom image from the Franco-Japanese automaker has more than a bit of Renault in its styling, but with a distinctive two-step shoulder line. Inside, the gear shift is on an instrument cluster pod at the center of the dash. Supple-looking red leather seats are in a 2+2+3 position, and the second and third rows fold flat. An optional sunroof splits the top into four glassed sections. Nissan says it has the longest wheelbase in its class, and sliding doors that are at least four-inches longer than the competitions'. Power is from a 3.5-liter/230-hp V-6. The Quest goes on sale this summer.
2004 Pagani Zonda S : Italian supercar sets its sights on the U.S. for a late 2003 introduction. A true exotic, the Zonda boasts a 7.3-liter AMG V-12 producing 555-horspower and weighs under 2800 pounds. Current price in Europe is $387,000.
2004 Pontiac Aztek : Last year for the controversial vehicle. Expect the nameplate to be retired when Pontiac seeks to offer a derivation of the next-gen Buick Rendezvous in the future.
2004 Pontiac Bonneville : Redesigned with a streamlined body devoid of body cladding and significant power increase from a 4.6-liter/285-hp Northstar-derived V-8.
2004 Pontiac Grand Prix : Redesigned on the front-drive Epsilon platform, tuned to offer improved handling and more responsive steering as the division benchmarks BMW for defining "driving excitement." Look for the distinctly Pontiac body to be devoid of ribbed cladding. Powertrains to include 3.8-liter/200-hp V-6 and 3.8-liter/255-hp supercharged V-6. New top-line features to include StabiliTrak Plus, F1-style paddle-activated four-speed manumatic transmission, and Saab-like "stealth mode" display that extinguishes the cluster lights to allow eyes to focus on the heads-up display. On sale April 2003.
2004 Pontiac GTO : The legendary "Goat" is back as the 2004 GTO signifies that performance and excitement will again rule the house at Pontiac. Fully leveraging the worldwide capabilities of the GM product portfolio, the next GTO is based on the existing Holden Monaro two-door coupe featuring a Corvette-based, 340-horsepower LS1 V-8 with either a six-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission driving the rear wheels. GM says stateside importation plans call for less than 20,000 GTOs for 2004 and may hint at other exciting overseas GM products migrating to North America. While pricing plans have not yet been formalized, look for a fully equipped GTO to sticker around $35,000 when it begins appearing in showrooms in the fall. Performance enthusiasts note: SLP is cooking up a 400-hp version, and so is GM Performance Division.
2004 Pontiac Vibe : Early 2003, Pontiac will offer a supercharger package for the Vibe.
2004 Porsche Carrera GT : The Carrera GT supercar features a 6.0-liter/612-horsepower V-10 and weighs just over 3000 pounds. Porsche promises a 0-60 mph time of less than four seconds and a redline above 8000 rpm. Production begins summer 2003, with the carbon-fiber-rich GT priced at $440,000. Given the track orgins of the V-10, a Le Mans race-variant is almost certain to follow.
2004 Porsche Cayenne Turbo : As if the long-awaited Cayenne wasn't hot enough, Porsche will offer a spicier turbo-powered version. Under the hood of this Porsche pepper reside eight cylinders working with two intercooled turbochargers to make 450 horsepower, allowing 0-62 mph sprints in 5.6 seconds and a top test-track speed of 165 mph.
2004 Porsche 911 : This fall, Porsche will offer a 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet and a Cabriolet Turbo.
2004 Porsche 911 GT3 : Based on the previous GT3 not offered in America, the 2004 model features a naturally aspirated 3.6-liter/380-horsepower flat six. The significantly fortified powerplant can race the bi-winged 911 from 0-60 mph in a claimed 4.3 seconds, reaching 100 mph in 9.4 seconds, and peaking at 190 mph. Key to the high-speed limits is its improved aerodynamics, with exclusive wing and body work, and low 0.30 coefficient of drag. The GT3 is fitted with 13.8-inch, six-piston front brakes and 13-inch rear discs, providing more stopping power than the mighty 911 Turbo. Track-minded construction can be seen through the mechanical systems, with more durable engine components, concessions to heat management throughout, lightweight wheels, and only two leather buckets, all contributing to a stronger, lighter performance machine. The most powerful non-turbo Porsche ever offered in the States goes on sale in May priced at $99,900.
2004 Rolls-Royce sedan : BMW is developing a new car to launch when the German company assumes ownership of the Rolls-Royce brand in 2003.
2004 Saab 9-3 : Based on the new Epsilon platform, it shares much of its engineering with other GM products, and boasts a rigid body structure nearly three times stiffer than its predecessor, as well as an all-new suspension. Underhood is an all-aluminum 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine capable of making 155 or 210 horsepower (depending on configuration) linked to either five- or six-speed manual or optional "smart" automatic tranny with Saab Sentronic sequential shifting. The one-touch softtop fully deploys in 20 seconds, and for rollover safety its DynaCage system features pop-up rear roll bars and front seatbelt pre-tensioning. Expect it to arrive at dealerships in the fall.
2004 Saab 9-5 : All-new sedan based on the GM Epsilon platform.