Shelby American Series 1 and Subaru Impreza

Shelby American Series 1Ol' Shel's at it again, this time with the Series 1, an advanced-technology roadster that's touted as being as close to driving a race car on the street as you can get. The Series 1 will use very current technologies to reach a target weight of 2300 pounds (about as much as a Saturn coupe). With a specially modified Oldsmobile Aurora 4.0-liter DOHC V-8 supplying more than 325 horsepower, Shelby predicts sub-5-second 0-60 acceleration and 170-mph top speed out of the carbon-fiber missile. Delivery on the limited run of fewer than 500 cars will begin at Shelby's new Las Vegas facility by mid-'98. Marketing will be handled by 25 hand-picked Oldsmobile dealers.

Subaru ImprezaThough the Impreza is priced competitively with other small cars, like all Subarus, it comes standard with full-time all-wheel drive, which ensures Subaru's undying popularity in regions where the weather is less than cooperative. The Impreza can be had as a coupe, sedan, or wagon. All feature a newly remodeled interior with a new dashboard. The bottom-end Brighton Coupe has been discontinued and a new 2.5 RS coupe has joined the line. With a 2.5-liter/165-horsepower boxer four, the RS promises to do a convincing impression of Subaru's championship-winning rally car. All other Imprezas, including the sport/ute-themed Outback Sport are powered by a 2.2-liter/137-horsepower flat four.