| MERCEDES-BENZ VISION SLA CONCEPT |
| Vehicle configuration | Front engine, front drive, |
| 2-door, 2-pass. | |
| Engine type | Inline 4, DOHC, 4 valves/cyl. |
| Displacement, ci/cc | 115.8/1898 |
| Horsepower, hp @ rpm, SAE net | 125 @ 5500 |
| Torque, lb-ft @ rpm, SAE net | 133 @ 4000 |
| Transmission type | 5-speed manual |
| Wheelbase, in./mm | 92.5/2250 |
| Base curb weight, lb | 2094 |
| 0-60 mph, sec | 7.7* |
| Standing quarter mile, sec/mph | 15.6/88.0* |
| Base price | $30,000* |
| www.mbusa.com | *Estimated |
| BMW 323Ci |
| Vehicle configuration | Front engine, rear drive. |
| 2-door, 4-pass. | |
| Engine type | Inline 6, DOHC, 4 valves/cyl. |
| Displacement, ci/cc | 152/2500 |
| Horsepower, hp @ rpm, SAE net | 170 @ 5500 |
| Torque, lb-ft @ rpm, SAE net | 181 @ 3500 |
| Transmission type | 5-speed manual |
| Wheelbase, in./mm | 107.3/2725 |
| Base curb weight, lb | 3200* |
| 0-60 mph, sec | 8.0* |
| Standing quarter mile, sec/mph | 16.0/85.0* |
| Base price | $34,990 |
| www.bmwusa.com | *Estimates |
Mazda MiataSpecial EditionSometimes the "limited-edition model" marketing spin works; sometimes, it doesn't. It certainly does the trick for Mazda, who's spun out nine of them based on the Miata since '91. Don't think anyone cares? One ardent Miataphile we know buys one of each, as they're introduced. And here's his next car.
Functionally, the 2000 Miata Special Edition is a '99 10th Anniversary Edition Miata wearing a new suit. While some would call it burgundy over tan, the color scheme is officially Mahogany Mica paint with a Parchment top and leather interior. S-E hardware includes a Nardi wood-rimmed steering wheel, shift knob, and handbrake lever; new white-faced gauges with chrome accent rings, chrome alloys, and a 200-watt Bose AM/FM/CD/cassette audio system that's more than capable of keeping up with top-down noise intrusion.
The best goody in the basket is the close-ratio six-speed manual transmission, as premiered last year on said 10th Anniversary model. This tranny is not currently offered on any other Miata, perhaps reason enough to strongly consider an S-E. Other functional hardware includes foglights, a mild aero package, and a Torsen limited-slip differential.
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