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The 2008 Chevrolet Express passenger van is available in two different lengths (a standard 135-inch wheelbase or a long-body 155-inch wheelbase) and in three levels of duty (the standard 1500, the mid-range 2500, and the heavy-duty 3500). The 1500 and 2500 are only offered in the shorter wheelbase, but the 3500 is offered with either length.
The 1500 is powered by GM's 5.3L GEN-IV Vortec V8 gas en..... |
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The Eclipse comes either as a sporty coupe or a convertible (called the Spyder) and is available with a 162-horsepower, 2.4L four-cylinder or 263-horsepower, 3.8L V6 engine. The GS comes only with the four, the sporty GT only with the V6, and the loaded SE comes only as a coupe but with either engine. Both can be specified with manual or automatic transmissions, and all Eclipses have front-wheel d..... |
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The 2008 Toyota Land Cruiser is powered by a new 5.7L V8, making 381 horsepower and 401 lb-ft of torque. The aluminum-block engine is similar to that used in the new Tundra full-size pickup, with direct ignition, four valves per cylinder, variable valve timing, and variable-length intakes; it now runs on regular unleaded gas and meets ULEV-II emissions. It delivers power through a new six-speed au..... |
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The super-frugal Prius, with its Hybrid Synergy Drive, has sophisticated electric-drive componentry and a battery system that allows energy to be recovered from coasting and braking. In the Prius, a 76-horsepower, 1.5L four-cylinder Atkinson Cycle gasoline engine is paired with a 50-kilowatt electric drive motor. Together, the two produce 110 horsepower, delivered through a planetary-gear continuo..... |
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The sporty 2008 Mazda6 comes in two body styles-sedan and five-door hatch-and with two different engines that cover a range from economy to high-performance.
The five-door model especially stands out from most mid-size sedans. It offers a gently sloped rear hatchback design that combines with folding rear seats, cargo tie-downs, and very wide cargo opening, to allow some of the benefits of a wagon..... |
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Honda's Accord gets a completely new, more sophisticated and detail-oriented look for 2008, along with a complete mechanical redesign. It's slightly larger overall, including almost three inches more length than the 2007 model, but more notably it's slightly wider, making the interior 1.5 inches wider as well. This wider stance allows the front seats to be set farther apart with a more expansive c..... |
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Porsche's family of rear-engine 911 sport cars is now available in three power levels for 2008-standard, S, and Turbo-and in three body styles-Coupe, Targa, and Cabriolet.
The standard engine on the 911 is a 325-horsepower, 3.6L horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine. S models get a 355-horsepower, 3.8L flat-six. A six-speed manual gearbox is standard, but a five-speed automatic transmission is ..... |
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The front-wheel-drive 2008 Suzuki Reno is powered by an economical 2.0L DOHC four-cylinder engine making 127 horsepower, mated to either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. The automatic has a "hold" mode switch to reduce hunting between gears in hilly terrain or when carrying fully loads. With the five-speed manual, the Reno gets EPA fuel economy ratings of 20 mpg city, 28 m..... |
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The 2008 Mariner shares its engines and chassis with the Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute, though its distinctive looks-especially at the front-are all Mercury. Buyers have several models from which to choose when browsing the Mariner lineup, and each has something different to offer.
Engine choices include a 153-horsepower 2.3L four-cylinder, which comes in the Mariner I4 in both front- and all-whee..... |
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