The dynamic dozen

World events notwithstanding, a new wave of cars is rolling into showrooms for model year 2002. It's hard to cite a theme, except for a wider array of four-cylinder vehicles that trump their predecessors. Call it a half-step year, until 2003 brings a range of new cars built to meet California's zero-emissions mandates.

Meanwhile, automakers have brought out several milestone vehicles that are a great improvement over last year's offerings. The Monitor had a chance to sample the latest cars in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., on a closed racetrack and, for SUVs, a muddy ski slope.

Here are a dozen that stood out.

America's prom queen for 2002, the T-bird comes with a big, rumbling V-8, looks that make heads whip around, and a pillow-soft ride. Make no mistake, this boulevardier is no sports car. Its acceleration and handling lean more toward gentle than crisp. Maybe it's better than a sports car - comfortable for long trips, cozy for two, and dripping with nostalgia. Prices run from $35,000 to $39,000.

Perhaps the biggest surprise of 2002 is the refinement of GM's three mid-size sport utility vehicles - especially compared to their bumbling Blazer and Jimmy predecessors. The new 270-horsepower inline six-cylinder engine that comes with these SUVs is smooth and powerful. And the steering's silky precision is really impressive. While Chevy's Trailblazer is no beauty, the GMC Envoy is. Bravada will usher out the Oldsmobile era. Prices: $27,000 to $33,000. Look for longer models next spring. If big SUV sales pick up, they could be winners.

America's favorite car just got more interesting. Toyota has abandoned bland appliance styling for something sportier. The sedan is greatly improved, with simpler controls, more room, and better handling than previous models. One tester called the Camry "flawless." Despite such accolades, the car still lacks character that would make it stand out on the road. The V-6 and four-cylinder engines carry over, as does the $22,000 to $28,000 price range.

If the Camry is angel food cake - practically perfect, but somewhat boring - the Altima is as exotic as chocolate mousse. It has 240 horsepower, razor-sharp reflexes, an enormous back seat, and VW-funky styling with a harder edge. The Altima has been enlarged to take direct aim at the best-selling Camry and Honda Accord, and beats them in almost every way - more power, better road manners, more comfortable interior. Expect prices to range from $20,000 to $26,000.

How do you say entry-level and Jaguar in the same breath? Try this Ford-based competitor of the popular BMW 3-series. It has Jaguar's swoopy lines, plush leather, all-wheel-drive, with a European Ford Contour platform wedged underneath. That's not as bad as it sounds. On the road, the X-type feels silky and smooth, as a Jaguar should. And those time-honored Jaguar reliability gremlins should be exorcised. If auto sales pick up, expect customers to line up around the corner for this $30,000 leaping cat.

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